Launched 10 October 1994 WightFibre Channel 89 Virgin Media Ireland Channel 706 Founded 1994 | Picture format 16:9, 576i (SDTV) Sky Channel 357 Virgin Media Channel 316 | |
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Owned by Viacom International Media Networks Europe Sister channel(s) List
MTV
MTV Base
MTV Classic
MTV Dance
MTV Hits
MTV Live
MTV Music
MTV Rocks
Viva
BET
Channel 5
5*
5USA
Comedy Central
Comedy Central Extra
Nickelodeon
Nick Jr.
Nick Jr. 2
Nicktoons
Spike Website www.mtv.co.uk/channels/vh1 Owner Viacom International Media Networks Europe Audience share 0.02% (September 2015, BARB) | ||
VH1 is a specialist music television channel from Viacom International Media Networks Europe. The channel broadcasts to the United Kingdom and Ireland. The channel is based on the original VH1 American channel of the same name. The channel launched across Europe on 10 October 1994. As of late 2010 and early 2011, VH1 no longer airs promos for its own programming but instead cross-promotes sister channels such as MTV and MTV Music.
Contents
History
VH1 was launched in 1994 as VH-1/an alternative to the youth-orientated MTV.
The channel targets an audience between 25 and 44 year olds, VH1 aims to be "mature, sophisticated and totally stylish for viewers who still feel young and want to keep in-touch with what is happening on the music scene today." The music they play consists of music from the 1970s right through to today.
Until 2008, much of their programming was taken from the American version. The channel now focuses entirely on music videos, with many Top 20 and Top 40 countdowns.
Between its UK launch and the late 1990s the channel played many 1980s videos including the present day at the time, while the logo was displayed in the top right hand corner with "MUSIC FIRST" displayed underneath it. The channel also at the time would dedicate particular days to an artist. Examples of these included "Jacksons Day", "Beautiful South Day" and "Elton John Day". A "Madonna Day" in 1998 featured a full-length concert, alongside her music videos on the then daytime Upbeat programme.
In July 1998, the channel ran a "Pop Up Video Marathon". Another feature which would run on the channel was Ten of the Best, in which an artist's video is played and then the act themselves are on camera selecting their ten best videos, in which they would say why they like it along with the song with a description of the video that the viewer would be shown. After the show ended on VH1, the same idea was then transferred to VH2, in which alternative artists like Feeder and Athlete would choose the videos. The videos shown were usually bands like The Pixies, Elbow and Biffy Clyro. Despite VH2 later ceasing to exist, VH1 have not re-considered the concept.
Sister channels
Two sister channels to VH1 have previously existed.