VH1 | |
---|---|
Launched | January 1, 1985 |
Owned by | Viacom Media Networks (Viacom) |
Picture format | |
Slogan | We Complete You |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Broadcast area | Nationwide |
Headquarters | New York, New York, U.S |
Formerly called | VH-1/VH-1: Video Hits One 1985–94 |
Sister channel(s) |
MTV MTV2 MTV Classic MTV Live |
Website | www |
Availability
|
|
Satellite | |
DirecTV | 335 (SD/HD) |
Dish Network (U.S.) | 162 (SD/HD) |
IPTV | |
Verizon FiOS | 217 (SD) 717 (HD) |
AT&T U-verse | 518 (SD) 1518 (HD) |
Roku (USA) | 601 (SD) 1601 (HD) |
Sling TV | Internet Protocol television |
VH1 (originally an initialism of Video Hits One) is an American cable television network based in New York City that is owned by the Viacom Global Entertainment Group, a unit of Viacom Media Networks. The channel was first launched on January 1, 1985 in the old space of Turner Broadcasting System's short-lived Cable Music Channel. It was originally created by Warner-Amex Satellite Entertainment, at the time a division of Warner Communications and the original owner of MTV (MTV and VH1 are now both owned by Viacom Media Networks).
The original purpose of the channel was to build upon the success of MTV by playing music videos, but targeting a slightly older demographic than its sister channel, focusing on the lighter, softer side of popular music. More recently, much like MTV, VH1 has been in the area of music-related reality programming, such as Behind the Music, the I Love… series and the Celebreality block of programming, as part of the channel's current focus on popular culture.
As of January 2016, approximately 90.2 million US households receive VH1.
VH1's aim was to focus on the lighter, softer side of popular music, including such musicians as Olivia Newton-John, Kenny Rogers, Carly Simon, Tina Turner, Elton John, Billy Joel, Eric Clapton, Sting, Donna Summer, Rod Stewart, Kenny G, Michael Bolton, Anita Baker, Chicago and Fleetwood Mac, in hopes of appealing to people aged 18 to 35, and possibly older. Also frequently featured in the network's early years were "videos" for Motown and other 60s oldies consisting of newsreel and concert footage. It was introduced on January 1, 1985 with the video performance of "The Star-Spangled Banner" by Marvin Gaye.