Concept

• MTV Networks created VH1 as an alternative to its youth orientated channel 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....
  
  .

• The channel targets an audience between 25 to 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 VH1 USA. 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 80s 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
  The Beautiful South
  The Beautiful South were an English alternative rock group formed at the end of the 1980s by two former members of Hull group The Housemartins, Paul Heaton and Dave Hemingway. The duo were initially joined by Sean Welch , Dave Stead and Dave Rotheray , all of whom stayed with the group throughout...
  
   Day" and "Elton John
  Elton John
  Sir Elton Hercules John, CBE, Hon DMus is an English rock singer-songwriter, composer, pianist and occasional actor...
  
   Day". A "Madonna
  Madonna (entertainer)
  Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983...
  
   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
  Feeder
  -Technology:* Feeder , any of several devices used in apiculture to supplement or replace natural food sources* Feeder , another name for a riser, a reservoir built into a metal casting mold to prevent cavities due to shrinkage...
  
   and Athlete
  Athlete (band)
  Athlete are a British rock band formed in Deptford, London, comprising Joel Pott , Carey Willetts , Stephen Roberts and Tim Wanstall...
  
   would chose the videos. The videos shown were usually bands like The Pixies, Elbow
  Elbow (band)
  Elbow are an English rock band. They have played together since 1990 and recorded five studio albums, the most recent of which is Build a Rocket Boys!, released in March 2011...
  
   and Biffy Clyro
  Biffy Clyro
  Biffy Clyro are a Scottish rock band from Kilmarnock, comprising Simon Neil , James Johnston and Ben Johnston...
  
  . Despite VH2 later ceasing to exist, VH1 have not re-considered the concept.

• VH1 Classic
  VH1 Classic UK
  VH1 Classic was a digital television channel available in Europe. The channel first launched in the United Kingdom on July 1, 1999 as VH1 Classic. Also available in several European countries since the early 2000s. In December, 2004 a separate version for the rest of Europe known as VH1 Classic...
  
  (launched 1 July 1999; closed 1 March 2010) played all time greats from the '60s to the '90s.

• VH2
  VH2
  VH2 was a sister channel to VH1 in the United Kingdom. It launched in 2003, it slowly became an Indie rock based music channel, aimed primarily at men in the 25-34 demographic...
  
  (launched 16 December 2003; closed 1 August 2006) showed mainly music videos and live concerts. It focused on Rock, Indie
  Indie (music)
  In music, independent music, often shortened to indie music or "indie" is a term used to describe independence from major commercial record labels or their subsidiaries, and an autonomous, Do-It-Yourself approach to recording and publishing....
  
   and Punk
  Punk rock
  Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
  
  music and branded itself as 'the alternative to manufactured pop'.

External links

• VH1 at MTV.co.uk