VH1

VH1 (originally an initialism for Video Hits One) is an American basic cable television network launched on January 1, 1985. It is currently owned by Paramount Skydance Corporation's BET Media Group, and based in New York City. The network was originally owned by Warner-Amex Satellite Entertainment, a division of Warner Communications (currently WBD), and the original owner of 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. 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. VH1's visual identity has also undergone several changes over the years, including multiple revisions of its logo and on-air branding. These updates reflected broader shifts in the network's programming strategy and target audience, as VH1 transitioned from a music video–oriented channel to a general entertainment network. As of December 2023, VH1 is available in approximately 67,481,000 American households, down from 90.2 million in January 2016.