 The VH1 Logo used since 2016, with the wordmark used since 2013 | |
| Country | United States |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Nationwide |
| Headquarters | New York City |
| Programming | |
| Language(s) | English |
| Picture format | 1080i HDTV (downscaled to letterboxed 480i for the SDTV feed) |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Paramount Global |
| Parent | BET Media Group (CBS Entertainment Group)[1] |
| Sister channels | |
| History | |
| Launched | January 1, 1985 |
| Replaced | Cable Music Channel |
| Former names | VH-1/VH-1: Video Hits One 1985–1994 VH1: Music First 1994–2003 |
| Links | |
| Website | www |
| Availability | |
| Streaming media | |
| Sling TV, Philo, YouTube TV, Vidgo TV, FuboTV, Hulu | Internet Protocol television |
VH1 (originally an initialism for Video Hits One) is an American basic cable television network that launched on January 1, 1985, and is currently owned by the BET Media Group subsidiary of Paramount Global's CBS Entertainment Group based in New York City. The network was originally owned by Warner-Amex Satellite Entertainment; a division of Warner Communications, and the original owner of then-sister channel MTV at the time. It was launched in the channel space of Turner Broadcasting System's short-lived Cable Music Channel.
VH1 was originally conceived to build upon the success of MTV by playing music videos targeting a slightly older demographic focusing on the lighter, softer side of popular music.[2] Like MTV, VH1 ultimately drifted away from music and into reality television programming; albeit with a focus on music personalities, celebrities, and shows targeting African-American audiences. VH1 is best known for franchises such as Behind the Music, the I Love… series, the Celebreality block, Love & Hip Hop, and Basketball Wives.
As of December 2023, VH1 is available in approximately 67,481,000 American households;[3] down from 90.2 million in January 2016.[4]
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (November 9, 2022). "VH1 Shifts From Paramount Media Networks To BET Media Group Under Scott Mills". Deadline. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
- ^ Sherwood, Rick (October 5, 1984). "VH-1 wants adult video viewers". Spokane Chronicle. (Washington). (New York Times). p. 11.
- ^ "U.S. cable network households (universe), 1990 – 2023". wrestlenomics.com. May 14, 2024. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
- ^ "Cable Network Coverage Area Household Universe Estimates: January 2016". Archived from the original on October 14, 2016. Retrieved August 21, 2017.