Cable Music Channel
Encyclopedia
Cable Music Channel was an all-music video channel created by Ted Turner
and launched in 1984
by Turner Broadcasting System
, providing the first national competition to MTV
. Turner later stated that the channel existed at the behest of the cable industry as a defense mechanism against MTV's unsuccessful attempts to increase by twofold the fees cable systems paid to carry the channel; Turner offered the channel with no fees.
, TBS' late night weekend music video block.
CMC signed on during the late morning hours (afternoon in Atlanta) of October 26, 1984
with CMC President Robert Wussler
at a podium in CMC's studios in Los Angeles
introducing the network and the playing of The Star Spangled Banner (which was a tradition whenever a new Turner Broadcasting System
network first signed on). Afterwards, Wussler introduced CMC Vice-President and General Manager Scott Sassa
to the podium. Sassa quickly greeted the crowd and then introduced 13th District Councilwoman Peggy Stephenson to the podium. Stephenson presented Ted Turner a City of Los Angeles proclamation
declaring October 26, 1984 as Cable Music Channel Day signed by Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley
and herself. Turner gave a brief speech that the network is "gonna play a wide arrangement of music. We're gonna stay away from excessively violent or degrading clips towards women that MTV is so fond of running." Afterwards he pushed a big red button on the wall behind him with a defiant "Take that, MTV!" and kicked off the channel with CMC VJs Jeff Gonzer and Raechel Donahue
introducing the Randy Newman
music video "I Love L.A.
".
and the VJ segments were pre-recorded; CMC was CHR (which enabled them to play soft rock
, crossover country
, dance
and urban hits) and live. CMC also did news, sports and weather reports. MTV's video jockeys were seen; CMC's video jockeys were just heard. MTV's studios and offices were in a New York
apartment; CMC's studios and offices were in a Los Angeles house (as opposed to Atlanta
, where the headquarters of Turner Broadcasting System
are located). CMC promoted itself as avoiding sexually and violently explicit music videos to capitalize on the perception that MTV actually played those types of videos.
In fact, MTV had strict guidelines about the types of behavior which could be shown in videos and frequently returned clips to the labels for re-editing.
500,000 worth of advertising on Turner's other channels, including CNN
. Ironically, MTV used the channel (and its space on the Satcom
satellite) to help form its new sister network, VH1
, which launched on New Year's Day
, 1985
. In another ironic twist, Time Warner
, the successor to MTV's then part-owners Warner Communications would purchase Turner's networks in 1996 (MTV by that point, was owned by Viacom, which was split in two companies in 2006 and is still owned by the new Viacom
).
on November 30, 1984
; the last chyroned
video aired was "Take Me to Heart" by Quarterflash
, followed by a signoff listing the entire crew of CMC interspersed through the video "I Love L.A." by Randy Newman. As the screen faded to black, CMC VJ Raechel Donahue
said, "Well, it's not really goodbye you know darlings. We'll always be there somewhere so watch this space. Say goodbye y'all now." A male voice replies, "Goodbye y'all." Ten seconds later, the signal was cut off.
CMC's five weeks on the air made it one of the shortest-lived American cable networks ever.
Ted Turner
Robert Edward "Ted" Turner III is an American media mogul and philanthropist. As a businessman, he is known as founder of the cable news network CNN, the first dedicated 24-hour cable news channel. In addition, he founded WTBS, which pioneered the superstation concept in cable television...
and launched in 1984
1984 in television
This article is a list of television-related events in 1984.-Events:*January 9 – Wendy's "Fluffy Bun" ad first airs, which propels Clara Peller and her "Where's the beef?" catchphrase to national prominence....
by Turner Broadcasting System
Turner Broadcasting System
Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. is the Time Warner subsidiary managing the collection of cable networks and properties started and acquired by Robert Edward "Ted" Turner starting in the mid-1970s. The company has its headquarters in the CNN Center in Atlanta, Georgia. TBS, Inc...
, providing the first national competition to MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
. Turner later stated that the channel existed at the behest of the cable industry as a defense mechanism against MTV's unsuccessful attempts to increase by twofold the fees cable systems paid to carry the channel; Turner offered the channel with no fees.
Launch
The network was created following the success of Night TracksNight Tracks
Night Tracks was an American television series which ran from 1983 to 1992 on SuperStation WTBS on late night weekends...
, TBS' late night weekend music video block.
CMC signed on during the late morning hours (afternoon in Atlanta) of October 26, 1984
1984 in television
This article is a list of television-related events in 1984.-Events:*January 9 – Wendy's "Fluffy Bun" ad first airs, which propels Clara Peller and her "Where's the beef?" catchphrase to national prominence....
with CMC President Robert Wussler
Robert Wussler
Robert J. Wussler was a journalist, executive, and co-founder of CNN.- Early life and education :Wussler was born in Newark, New Jersey and attended Seton Hall University.- Career :...
at a podium in CMC's studios in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
introducing the network and the playing of The Star Spangled Banner (which was a tradition whenever a new Turner Broadcasting System
Turner Broadcasting System
Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. is the Time Warner subsidiary managing the collection of cable networks and properties started and acquired by Robert Edward "Ted" Turner starting in the mid-1970s. The company has its headquarters in the CNN Center in Atlanta, Georgia. TBS, Inc...
network first signed on). Afterwards, Wussler introduced CMC Vice-President and General Manager Scott Sassa
Scott Sassa
Scott M. Sassa is currently president of Hearst Entertainment & Syndication, the operating group responsible for Hearst’s interests in cable television networks, including ESPN, Lifetime, A&E and History; a joint venture with Mark Burnett Productions, and Manilla a start up that organizes people's...
to the podium. Sassa quickly greeted the crowd and then introduced 13th District Councilwoman Peggy Stephenson to the podium. Stephenson presented Ted Turner a City of Los Angeles proclamation
Proclamation
A proclamation is an official declaration.-England and Wales:In English law, a proclamation is a formal announcement , made under the great seal, of some matter which the King in Council or Queen in Council desires to make known to his or her subjects: e.g., the declaration of war, or state of...
declaring October 26, 1984 as Cable Music Channel Day signed by Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley
Tom Bradley (politician)
Thomas J. "Tom" Bradley was the 38th Mayor of Los Angeles, California, serving in that office from 1973 to 1993. He was the first and to date only African American mayor of Los Angeles...
and herself. Turner gave a brief speech that the network is "gonna play a wide arrangement of music. We're gonna stay away from excessively violent or degrading clips towards women that MTV is so fond of running." Afterwards he pushed a big red button on the wall behind him with a defiant "Take that, MTV!" and kicked off the channel with CMC VJs Jeff Gonzer and Raechel Donahue
Raechel Donahue
Raechel Donahue is a rock radio pioneer generally associated with her husband Tom Donahue, who died in 1975. She was the original entertainment reporter for CNN, briefly served as VJ for Cable Music Channel and a longtime radio personality in San Francisco on KSAN and in Los Angeles on KMET,...
introducing the Randy Newman
Randy Newman
Randall Stuart "Randy" Newman is an American singer-songwriter, arranger, composer, and pianist who is known for his mordant pop songs and for film scores....
music video "I Love L.A.
I Love L.A.
"I Love L.A." is a song about Los Angeles, California written and recorded by Randy Newman. It was originally released on his 1983 album Trouble in Paradise...
".
CMC vs. MTV
MTV was AORAlbum-oriented rock
Album-oriented rock is an American FM radio format focusing on album tracks by rock artists.-Music played:Most radio formats are based on a select, tight rotation of hit singles...
and the VJ segments were pre-recorded; CMC was CHR (which enabled them to play soft rock
Soft rock
Soft rock is a style of music which uses the techniques of rock music to compose a softer, more toned-down sound. Soft rock songs generally tend to focus on themes like love, everyday life and relationships. The genre tends to make heavy use of acoustic guitars, pianos, synthesizers and sometimes...
, crossover country
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
, dance
Dance music
Dance music is music composed specifically to facilitate or accompany dancing. It can be either a whole musical piece or part of a larger musical arrangement...
and urban hits) and live. CMC also did news, sports and weather reports. MTV's video jockeys were seen; CMC's video jockeys were just heard. MTV's studios and offices were in a New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
apartment; CMC's studios and offices were in a Los Angeles house (as opposed to Atlanta
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
, where the headquarters of Turner Broadcasting System
Turner Broadcasting System
Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. is the Time Warner subsidiary managing the collection of cable networks and properties started and acquired by Robert Edward "Ted" Turner starting in the mid-1970s. The company has its headquarters in the CNN Center in Atlanta, Georgia. TBS, Inc...
are located). CMC promoted itself as avoiding sexually and violently explicit music videos to capitalize on the perception that MTV actually played those types of videos.
In fact, MTV had strict guidelines about the types of behavior which could be shown in videos and frequently returned clips to the labels for re-editing.
As a money-losing venture
It quickly became clear that CMC was losing money fast, due to an inability to sign up cable systems (many of whom didn't have the space for another all-music channel) or secure the rights to play top videos (MTV was accused of pressuring artists not to sell to CMC, citing "exclusivity" agreements). Within a month, despite an estimated audience of 2.5 million, Turner realized the jig was up; on November 29, he decided to sell CMC to MTV for $1 million, and MTV agreed to buy $United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
500,000 worth of advertising on Turner's other channels, including CNN
CNN
Cable News Network is a U.S. cable news channel founded in 1980 by Ted Turner. Upon its launch, CNN was the first channel to provide 24-hour television news coverage, and the first all-news television channel in the United States...
. Ironically, MTV used the channel (and its space on the Satcom
SATCOM
SATCOM or Satcom may refer to:* Short for Satellite Communications and used frequently in the context of VSAT * Communications satellites or comsats...
satellite) to help form its new sister network, VH1
VH1
VH1 or Vh1 is an American cable television network based in New York City. Launched on January 1, 1985 in the old space of Turner Broadcasting's short-lived Cable Music Channel, the original purpose of the channel was to build on the success of MTV by playing music videos, but targeting a slightly...
, which launched on New Year's Day
New Year's Day
New Year's Day is observed on January 1, the first day of the year on the modern Gregorian calendar as well as the Julian calendar used in ancient Rome...
, 1985
1985 in television
The year 1985 involved some significant events.Below is a list of television-related events in 1985.For the American TV schedule, see: 1985-86 United States network television schedule.-Events:*January 1 – VH1 launches in the United States....
. In another ironic twist, Time Warner
Time Warner
Time Warner is one of the world's largest media companies, headquartered in the Time Warner Center in New York City. Formerly two separate companies, Warner Communications, Inc...
, the successor to MTV's then part-owners Warner Communications would purchase Turner's networks in 1996 (MTV by that point, was owned by Viacom, which was split in two companies in 2006 and is still owned by the new Viacom
Viacom
Viacom Inc. , short for "Video & Audio Communications", is an American media conglomerate with interests primarily in, but not limited to, cinema and cable television...
).
Sign off
Cable Music Channel officially signed off just before midnight ETNorth American Eastern Time Zone
The Eastern Time Zone of the United States and Canada is a time zone that falls mostly along the east coast of North America. Its UTC time offset is −5 hrs during standard time and −4 hrs during daylight saving time...
on November 30, 1984
1984 in television
This article is a list of television-related events in 1984.-Events:*January 9 – Wendy's "Fluffy Bun" ad first airs, which propels Clara Peller and her "Where's the beef?" catchphrase to national prominence....
; the last chyroned
Chyron
Chyron may refer to:*Lower third, television graphics that occupy the lower area of the screen*Chyron Corporation, develops and manufactures on-screen graphics for the broadcast industry...
video aired was "Take Me to Heart" by Quarterflash
Quarterflash
Quarterflash was an American rock group formed in 1980 in Portland, Oregon. The band was made up of Rindy Ross , her husband Marv Ross , Jack Charles , Rick DiGiallonardo , Rich Gooch , and Brian David Willis...
, followed by a signoff listing the entire crew of CMC interspersed through the video "I Love L.A." by Randy Newman. As the screen faded to black, CMC VJ Raechel Donahue
Raechel Donahue
Raechel Donahue is a rock radio pioneer generally associated with her husband Tom Donahue, who died in 1975. She was the original entertainment reporter for CNN, briefly served as VJ for Cable Music Channel and a longtime radio personality in San Francisco on KSAN and in Los Angeles on KMET,...
said, "Well, it's not really goodbye you know darlings. We'll always be there somewhere so watch this space. Say goodbye y'all now." A male voice replies, "Goodbye y'all." Ten seconds later, the signal was cut off.
CMC's five weeks on the air made it one of the shortest-lived American cable networks ever.
See also
- Ted TurnerTed TurnerRobert Edward "Ted" Turner III is an American media mogul and philanthropist. As a businessman, he is known as founder of the cable news network CNN, the first dedicated 24-hour cable news channel. In addition, he founded WTBS, which pioneered the superstation concept in cable television...
- Night TracksNight TracksNight Tracks was an American television series which ran from 1983 to 1992 on SuperStation WTBS on late night weekends...
- The Tube Music NetworkThe Tube (TV channel)The Tube Music Network was a music video network carried on free-to-air satellite television, select digital television subchannels and digital cable systems. The network's president and founder was Les Garland, a veteran of MTV and VH1. The Tube was a wholly owned subsidiary of The Tube Media Corp...
- MOR Music TV