MTV

Cable television network that broadcasts music videos. MTV was established in 1981 in New York City. It combines contemporary videos, fashionable presenters, and music news to appeal to a young audience, and has a strong influence on popular culture.

In the 1990s programming diversified to cover game shows, cartoons, sit-coms, and documentaries. Although the network is often criticized for negatively influencing young people, many leading figures have appeared on it, including US presidential candidate Bill Clinton and US vice presidential candidate Al Gore in 1992.

VH-1 (Video Hits-1), a sister network appealing to slightly older audiences, was created in 1985. Through its overseas affiliates MTV is also broadcast in Europe, Asia, Latin America, and Africa. MTV was created by investments from corporate businesses such as Warner Communications and American Express and was acquired by Viacom in 1999.