MTV (British and Irish TV channel)

(Redirected fromMTV Ireland)

MTVis a Britishpay televisionchannel focusing on reality TV and music programming operated byParamount Networks UK & Australia.

MTV
Logo used since 2021
CountryUnited Kingdom
Broadcast areaUnited Kingdom
Ireland
HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
Programming
Language(s)English
Picture format1080iHDTV
(downscaled to16:9576ifor theSDTVfeed)
TimeshiftserviceMTV +1 (2008–2020)
Ownership
OwnerParamount Networks UK & Australia
Sister channelsMTV 80s
MTV 90s
MTV Hits
MTV Music
MTV Live
History
Launched1 July 1997
Former namesMTV UK & Ireland (1997–2004)
MTV UK (2004–2007)
MTV One (2007–2009)
Links
Websitemtv.co.uk
mtv.ie[dead link]
Availability
Streaming media
Sky GoWatch live(UK & Ireland only)
NowWatch live(UK and Ireland only)
Virgin TV AnywhereWatch live(UK only)

The channel launched as part ofMTV Networks Europelocalisation strategy in 1997. MTV UK (previously MTV UK & Ireland; MTV One) was launched on 1 July 1997. The channel was set up to provide audiences with local artists and more relevant music content. Prior to the localisation of MTV in Europe, the region was served byMTV Europewhich was launched on 1 August 1987. Since February 2011 MTV has been solely an entertainment channel.[1][2]

The channel is in over 10 million homes in the UK and Ireland.[3]

Availability

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From its inception, MTV UK (then branded as MTV UK & Ireland) the network served United Kingdom and Ireland. For a short period the channel was made available free-to-air in New Zealand between July 1997 to June 1998[4] under a special agreement betweenTVNZand MTV Networks Europe. The channel was broadcast on analogue from theAstra 1Asatellite as part of theSky Multichannelssubscription package. In April 2001, the channel became a digital-only channel within the UK and Ireland.

History

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1987–2001

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MTV first became available in the UK whenMTV Europelaunched on 1 August 1987. On July 1, 1997, at 06:00 Western European time, MTV UK began broadcasting in the UK and Ireland as part of MTV Networks Europe's regionalisation strategy. The first video clip shown on the air was "Three Lions"byThe Lightning Seeds.[5]MTV UK & Ireland launched with specialised content of hitMTV Europeshows which included theEuro Top 20,MTV Select,MTV News,MTV News Weekend Edition,Non-Stop Hits, US Top 20 Hitlist UK, Stylissimo, The Big Picture, Up 4 It and The Lick. The channel promoted mainly English-speaking music programming and music.

In 1999, MTV Networks Europe announced that it would expand its channel portfolio within the UK and Ireland. On 1 July 1999, MTV launchedMTV BaseandMTV Extra.MTV UK & Ireland also rebranded with a new schedule and on-air presentation.

2002–2010

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In 2002, MTV began to air programming from MTV US, similar to other MTV channels in Europe. MTV began to drop some of its localised programming in favour of MTV US shows. These shows includedJackass,Date My MomandDismissed.Despite targeted efforts to play certain types of music videos in limited rotation, MTV greatly reduced its overall rotation of music videos throughout the first decade of the 2000s. While music videos dominated the channel in early 2000-2002 the rate of music rotation declined rapidly. Similar trends are noted on other European MTV channels and other sister networks in the US.

In July 2007, MTV in the UK was renamed to 'MTV One' with a major new branding launching across most of the MTV channels. MTV2 was renamed 'MTV Two' to follow the consistent branding across the channels. Promotion started on 1 July 2007 under the title 'MTV New 22.07.07'.[6]The rebrand saw viewers engaging with the channel.[7]In early 2009, it was announced thatMTV Onewould be rebranded as simplyMTVand the one-hour timeshiftMTV One +1asMTV +1on 1 July 2009.[8]

For most of 2008, MTV's main source of music video programming was based on its sister channelsMTV Two,MTV Hits,MTV Dance,MTV BaseandTMF.As of 2009 the only music based programming on MTV includeMTV Push,MTV World StageandMTV Iggy.These shows are produced by MTV Networks International and are shown on most MTV channels worldwide.

On 1 July 2009 MTV available in the UK and Ireland adopted MTV's global identity as part of MTV International. 64 MTV channels now share similar music and entertainment content and similar on-air and online branding. Part of the rebrand saw a 50/50 balance in the number of music based programming and reality based TV series that air on the channels.[9]

From 2010, MTV increased its music output which has since been diluted by reality based television programmes. As part of a global strategy MTV music content with the launch ofMTV World Stageand Friday Night Music, both shows helped to maintain MTV's audience figures.

2011–present

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On 1 February 2011, MTV removed all music from the channel and moved it to newly launched channelMTV Music;the only music that remains is the occasionalMTV Most Wantedstrand. The channel became a general entertainment channel and was moved to the entertainment section of Sky's EPG at channel 126, with MTV +1 moving to 160. The move resulted in an increase in the channel's audience share of nearly 150% in the 6 weeks after the change, while viewing was down nearly 20% on Virgin Media during the same period, where the channel had yet to move.[10]On 29 May 2013 MTV was moved to the entertainment section of Virgin Media's EPG on channel 134.[2]

MTV was rebranded once again to the current logo on 1 July 2011, and began broadcasting in 16:9 widescreen at the same time. A high-definition simulcast of MTV launched on 13 February 2012 on Sky in the UK and Ireland.[1]

In 2016, MTV started showing repeats ofBig Brother UKin the UK, the day following its broadcast onChannel 5.

Presenters

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Programming

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UK produced shows

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Pan-European shows

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Former MTV UK & Ireland shows

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Shows imported from MTV US

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Other shows imported from US networks

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Subsidiary and sister channels

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MTV HD

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On 13 February 2012, a high-definition simulcast of MTV called MTV HD launched.[1]

MTV 90s

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MTV 90s is a British pay television music channel owned by Paramount Networks UK & Australia that launched on 31 March 2022 replacing MTV Base. It was first launched as a temporary rebrand of MTV Classic from 27 May to 24 June 2016. The channel broadcasts music from the 1990s.

MTV 80s

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MTV 80s is the British version of the international music TV channel MTV 80s, which began broadcasting on 31 March 2022, replacing MTV Classic. It was first launched as a temporary rebrand of MTV Classic from 28 February to 31 March 2020. The channel broadcasts music from the 1980s.

MTV Hits

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Launched on 1 May 2001, MTV Hits is a channel which plays chart music videos.

MTV Music

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Launched on 1 February 2011 - MTV Music broadcasts non-stop music videos, live performances and artist interviews.[12]

MTV Live

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Direct from Warsaw and broadcast throughout Europe, MTV Live is a 24-hour standard and high definition music and entertainment channel. The channel was rebranded from MTVNHD to MTV Live HD on 23 April 2012, gaining a standard definition simulcast at the same time. On 29 June 2016, MTV Live HD was replaced byNick Jr. HDon Sky in the United Kingdom and Ireland but continues on Virgin Media.[1]

MTV Ireland

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MTV Ireland is an Irish opt-out feed of MTV UK that was launched on 22 February 2004. It features localised advertising and sponsorship for the Irish market. As of February 2019 the broadcasting licence is held by RTTV[13]in the Czech Republic, moving from Ofcom in the UK.

Special events

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  • MTV Resident in Dublin (November 1999)
  • MTV Crashes Dublin (March 2000)
  • MTV Presents: Street Performance World Championship 2009[5]
  • MTV Presents: Oxygen 2009
  • MTV @ Arthur's Guinness Day 2010
  • MTV Presents Live in Belfast 2010
  • MTV Music Week [Belfast) (November 2011)
  • MTV Crashes Derry-Londonderry (September 2014)
  • MTV Crashes Cork (November 2014)
  • MTV Club Tour (2014)
  • MTV Crashes Derry (Summer 2015)
  • Club MTV Tour (2018)

Defunct channels

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MTV Extra

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MTV Extrawas launched in 1999 and was a mixture of music videos and repeats of MTV programming. Towards the end of the channel's life, programming was dropped and the channel showed solely music videos (under the "Pure Music" name), withMTV Dancein the evenings. MTV Dance was spun off into its own channel on 20 April 2001, and MTV Extra was renamedMTV Hitsat 6am on 1 May 2001. MTV Extra is notable for being the only spin-off MTV channel to use the same song title graphics as its parent channel (although it had its own separateidents).

MTV Flux

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Launched on 6 September 2006, MTV Flux allowed viewers to take "control" of the channel by sending in video clips to MTV Flux's website, and requesting music videos. It was replaced by MTV +1 on 1 February 2008, a timeshift service of MTV. MTV had announced that the "Flux" format would be integrated into its other channels, and so the website still remains.

MTV2

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MTV2 was launched in 2002 replacing M2. The channel focused on rock and indie music and featured shows such as MTV2 Most Wanted and Gonzo. The channel was replaced withMTV Rockson 1 March 2010.

MTV Shows

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MTV's general entertainment channel featuring reruns and new episodes of MTV's reality shows. Formerly MTV R until 1 March 2010. The channel ceased operating from 1 February 2011. Its broadcast capacity was relocated to the Music section of the Sky guide for use asMTV Music.

MTV Dance

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MTV Dance was the dedicateddance musicchannel with music videos and programming of underground and mainstream dance tracks. The channel was replaced withClub MTVon 23 May 2018.

MTV Rocks

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MTV Rocks was a channel dedicated to alternative rock music, with other commercial mainstream music types found on MTV's other music channels. MTV Rocks was previously known as MTV Two and was replaced by MTV Rocks on 1 March 2010. MTV Two was previously MTV2 Europe and M2 respectively. The channel closed on 20 July 2020.

MTV OMG

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Launched on 1 March 2018. MTV OMG was the channel for music and gossip, replacingViva.The channel closed on 20 July 2020.

Club MTV

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Launched on 23 May 2018. Club MTV was the channel plays dance, EDM and urban music, replacingMTV Dance.The channel closed on 20 July 2020.

MTV +1

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Launched on 1 February 2008 at midday, this timeshift service of MTV replaced MTV Flux, which in turn had replacedVH2.Trailers for the channel had aired before and after the launch, highlighting the catch-up ability of the new channel. The channel was known as MTV One +1 between 1 February 2008 and 1 July 2009. Coinciding with the closures ofMTV OMG,MTV RocksandClub MTVon 20 July 2020, the timeshift channel also closed as part of this change, along with the timeshifts forMTV MusicandComedy Central Extra.

TMF was launched as a free-to-air television channel onFreeviewon 30 October 2002 to compete againstEMAP'sThe Hits(now4Music). It originally started as a non-stop music channel, although the network featured more programming from MTV and its other sister channels from early 2004. The channel was replaced withVivaon 26 October 2009.

VH2 was launched in December 2003 and shown mainly music videos and live concerts. It focused on rock, indie and punk music and branded itself as 'the alternative to manufactured pop'. The channel closed on 1 August 2006 because the main source of income for the channel,ringtoneadvertising,had slowed down. MTV replaced VH2 withMTV Flux,which was in turn replaced with a timeshift version of MTV.

Viva

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Launched on 26 October 2009, Viva was the new music and entertainment channel, which replacedTMF.The channel shown content from sister channelsMTVandComedy Central,as well as programmes fromNickelodeonandSpike,with some acquired content airing as well. As the only MTV channel sitting on the Freeview platform, it was MTV UK's highest-rating service. The channel unexpectedly closed on 31 January 2018.

VH1 was a channel targeted at 25- to 44-year-olds playing chart andpopular musicfrom the 1970s to the present day. It also carried music programming and themed countdown shows from their US counterpart. The channel closed on 7 January 2020.

MTV Base

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MTV Basewas a British pay television music channel from Paramount Networks UK & Australia that focused primarily on hip hop, R&B, grime, garage, reggae, funk, soul and dance music. MTV Base closed on 31 March 2022, and was replaced byMTV 90s.

MTV Classic

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MTV Classicwas a British pay television music channel from Paramount Networks UK & Australia. The channel was launched in the United Kingdom and Ireland on 1 July 1999 as VH1 Classic. It focused on music videos and music specials from the 1960s onwards, sometimes featuring music videos and concert footage from as early as at least the 1940s or 1950s, such as Bing Crosby's "White Christmas" from 1942. It also aired videos from the 2000s and early 2010s. Every November and December from 2013 until 2021, MTV Classic played Christmas-themed music branded as MTV Xmas. On 31 March 2022, the channel closed down, and was replaced byMTV 80s.

MTV on Pluto

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Beginning in 2022, some MTV-branded channels began to appear on the British version of the Paramount-owned streaming platformPluto TV- the move followed on from the establishment of similar streams on Pluto in other territories. The streams are, like the rest of the Pluto TV channels, available at no cost to viewers. As of May 2023, the available services included:

  • MTV Reality– screening episodes of MTV's reality shows. This is joined in the "Reality" section of the Pluto guide by dedicated 'box-set' channels for specific programmes, includingCatfish: The TV Show,16 and PregnantandPimp My Ride(a dedicated 'MTV On Pluto' section of the guide existed for these channels at one point, but has now been disbanded with the reorganisation of the lineup.)
  • MTV Movie Hits– a stream of music videos drawn from film soundtracks, this was the first MTV-branded music channel on Pluto in Britain.
  • MTV Classic– a stream of archive music videos, reusing the name of the formerMTV Classicbroadcast channel which closed earlier in the year
  • MTV Love– a stream dedicated to love songs and ballads, which appeared in early 2023; whereas the previous pop-up MTV Love stunts on TV channels were run in proximity to Valentine's Day, this stream has remained available beyond the end of February.
  • MTV Queens of Pop– playing music by female and female-led acts. Appeared in the run-up toInternational Women's Dayin early March 2023.
  • MTV Rocks– rock and alternative music, added May 2023, reusing the name of theformer linear TV channelwhich closed in 2020

Former and temporary feeds have included:

  • MTV Christmas– a temporary channel in the run-up to the festive season, playing Christmas music videos. Not a simulcast of the MTV Xmas channel which had temporarily replaced MTV 90s on satellite and cable, though the two channels were running an essentially similar format.

Logos

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Awards and nominations

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Year Association Category Nominee(s) Result
2017 Diversity in Media Awards Broadcaster of the Year MTV UK Nominated

See also

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References

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  1. ^abcd"Revamp for MTV HD".Broadband TV News. 10 February 2012.
  2. ^abWhite, Peter (31 May 2013)."Viacom carriage deal shakes up Virgin EPG".Broadcast.Retrieved31 May2013.
  3. ^[1][permanent dead link]
  4. ^"Howden.nz - My TV Memories".
  5. ^"1997-2007 | MTV Networks UK & Ireland".www.mtvnetworks.co.uk.Archived fromthe originalon 2 May 2007.Retrieved23 September2022.
  6. ^[2]Archived27 September 2007 at theWayback Machine
  7. ^Fiona Ramsay, 18 August 2008, 3:45pm (18 August 2008)."4Music outstrips MTV One on debut - Media news".Media Week.Retrieved31 August2011.{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  8. ^[3][dead link]
  9. ^Rushton, Katherine (2 July 2009)."MTV retunes with more music and indies fund | News | Broadcast".Broadcastnow.co.uk.Retrieved31 August2011.
  10. ^El-Husseini, Farid (30 August 2012)."From MTV to Sky Arts: The Long Term Value of EPG Prominence".FEH Media Insight.Retrieved3 June2013.
  11. ^"DP Fitzgerald - Conference Facilitators | Speakers Corner".
  12. ^"MTV To Launch Dedicated Music TV Channel".Gigwise.Retrieved31 August2011.
  13. ^"Rozhodnutí O Ud Ělení Licence"(PDF)(in Czech). Rada pro rozhlasové a televizní vysílání. 19 February 2019.Archived(PDF)from the original on 8 August 2019.Retrieved12 November2020.
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