MTV Classic (British and Irish TV channel)

Last updated

MTV Classic
MTV Classic 2021.svg
Final logo, used from 2021 to 2022
Country United Kingdom
Broadcast area United Kingdom, Ireland
NetworkMTV UK
Headquarters London, United Kingdom
Programming
Language(s) English
Picture format 16:9 576i SDTV
Ownership
Owner Paramount Networks UK & Australia
Sister channels MTV
MTV Base
MTV Hits
MTV Music
MTV Live
History
Launched1 July 1999
Replaced VH1 (Virgin Media UK)
Closed31 March 2022;2 years ago (2022-03-31)
Replaced by MTV 80s
Former namesVH1 Classic (1999–2010)

MTV Classic was 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. [1]

Contents

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.

"Video Killed the Radio Star" by The Buggles, the first video to air on the original MTV in 1981, was also the first music video to be played when the channel was rebranded as MTV Classic on 1 March 2010.

History

Since the rebrand, Viacom had rebranded other international channels as MTV Classic. On 1 May 2010, VH1 Australia was rebranded as MTV Classic and on 10 January 2011, MTV Networks Europe launched an Italian version of the same channel, replacing MTV Gold.

MTV Classic began broadcasting in widescreen on 6 March 2012.

Closure

On 31 March 2022, the channel closed down, and was replaced by MTV 80s. [2] [3] The final video played on the channel was "Goodbye" by Spice Girls.

Pluto TV revival

In late 2022 a feed of archive music videos, listed on the guide under the MTV Classic name, was made available on the British iteration of Paramount Global's streaming television platform Pluto TV, following shortly after the addition of other MTV-branded music video streams (film soundtrack stream MTV Movie Hits and seasonal pop-up MTV Xmas) to the lineup. The Pluto streams are available at no cost to users and are separate to the MTV broadcast TV channels.

Programming

Temporary rebrands

Viacom occasionally rebranded MTV Classic to a different name to air different kinds of music.

Availability

The channel was available in the United Kingdom on Sky, Virgin Media, BT TV and TalkTalk Plus TV and in Ireland on Sky Ireland and Virgin Media Ireland.

MTV Classic was previously available on Virgin Media UK but it was removed from the platform on 28 August 2010, along with MTV +1 and MTV Shows, to make room for Comedy Central HD [5] and returned on 7 January 2020, replacing VH1 which had closed that day. [6]

Logos

MTV Classic's on-air identity was similar to MTV's international identity. MTV Classic utilised the new MTV logo along with specially commissioned idents by ICC. [7] These idents were also used on other MTV Classic channels around the world including MTV Classic Australia, which launched in May 2010. On September 14, 2021, MTV Classic revealed a new on-air look and new logo as part of MTV's 2021 global rebrand.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VH1</span> American cable television network

VH1 is an American basic cable television network that launched on January 1, 1985, and is currently owned by the BET Networks 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.

Paramount Media Networks is an American mass media division of Paramount Global that oversees the operations of many of its television channels and online brands. Its related international division is Paramount International Networks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MTV Base</span> British pay television channel

MTV Base was 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. It was launched as part of MTV's digital offering of music channels on July 1, 1999 in both the United Kingdom and in Ireland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MTV Rocks (British and Irish TV channel)</span> 24-hour alternative music MTV network channel

MTV Rocks was a British pay television music channel that was operated by ViacomCBS Networks UK & Australia. Its programming consisted of 24-hour non-stop rock/alternative music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VH1 (British and Irish TV channel)</span> UK & Ireland version of the music television channel

VH1 was a British and Irish pay television channel that was owned by ViacomCBS. The channel was based on the original VH1 American channel of the same name. The channel ceased broadcasting on 7 January 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trace Vault</span> Television channel

Trace Vault was a British free-to-air music and entertainment television channel owned by Trace Group.

Paramount International Networks (PIN) is the international sibling division of Paramount Global’s Paramount Media Networks subsidiary. The division oversees the production, broadcasting and promotion of key Paramount brands outside of the United States. These brands include Paramount Network, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon and BET, as well as CBS-branded channels, which are co-owned with AMC Networks International. PIN also owned a 30% stake in the Rainbow S.p.A. animation studio in Italy until 2023, as well as a 13.01% stake in an Indian joint venture with domestic partner TV18, Viacom18 until 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MTV Live (international TV channel)</span> International 24-hour music channel

MTV Live is the international version of the American TV channel MTV Live as 24-hour high-definition live music pay television network owned by Paramount International Networks subsidiary Paramount Networks EMEAA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MTV Classic (Australian TV channel)</span> Australian television network

MTV Classic was an Australian and New Zealand subscription television music channel. The channel focused on music from the 1980s to 2000s. The channel first launched in Australia on 14 March 2004 and in New Zealand on 1 June 2011. On 1 July 2011 MTV International channels launched new logos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MTV (British and Irish TV channel)</span> MTV channel in the UK and Ireland

MTV is a British pay television channel focusing on reality TV and music programming operated by Paramount Networks UK & Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">VH1 Classic (European TV channel)</span> European music television channel

VH1 Classic Europe was a European music television channel from ViacomCBS Networks EMEAA. The channel primarily featured music videos from the 1970s through to the 2000s (decade), although rare live performances from the 1950s and 1960s could be seen as well.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Now Rock</span> Television channel

Now Rock is a British free-to-air music television channel, focusing exclusively on playing rock music for 10 months of the year, with a sister channel called Now 90s featuring rock hits from the 1990s available in other territories. For the other two months, Now Christmas takes over with their Christmas service not only playing hits from the 1990s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MTV Music (British and Irish TV channel)</span> British television channel

MTV Music is a British pay television channel operated by Paramount Networks UK & Australia. The brand was first launched in the UK and Ireland before launching in Australia, New Zealand, Italy, the Netherlands and Poland. Unlike other MTV Music channels, this channel offers subtitles on selected programmes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trace Latina</span> Television channel

Trace Latina is a music channel specialising mostly in urban Latin music. It broadcasts in the United Kingdom via the Channelbox streaming platform on Freeview UK channel 271 and still in France.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">That's TV</span> Network of local television services in the United Kingdom

That's TV is a national television network in the United Kingdom, broadcasting via Sky, Freesat, Freeview, and Virgin Media. That's TV started off as the owner of a number of local television licences in several conurbations, but even though regional news can still be found via these services, these channels simulcast the classic hits and television schedule of the national That's TV channel for most of the day. That's Television Ltd is owned by That's Media Ltd, which is based at The Flint Glass Works in the Ancoats neighbourhood of Manchester.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MTV Rocks (European TV channel)</span> European television channel

MTV Rocks Europe was a European pay television music channel from Viacom International Media Networks Europe that was launched on 27 May 2014, replacing the British version of MTV Rocks in Europe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Now 80s</span> Television channel

NOW 80s is a British free-to-air music television channel, focusing exclusively on playing music from the 1980s. The channel launched in its current form on 27 December 2016, initially as a temporary pop-up rebrand of Now Music, previously a contemporary pop channel. The 80s format was subsequently made permanent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MTV 80s (British and Irish TV channel)</span> British and Irish TV channel

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MTV 90s (British and Irish TV channel)</span> British and Irish TV channel

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. It is temporarily replaced by MTV Xmas in the run up to and throughout Christmas each year. The first video to be broadcast at 6 am on 31 March 2022 was Say You'll Be There by Spice Girls. No Matter What by Boyzone.

References

  1. "MTV Announce Channel Changes". Entertainment Focus. 1 March 2010. Archived from the original on 10 July 2011.
  2. "MTV Classic (ANG) - tv program on 30.03.2022 - TV program - Telemagazyn.pl".
  3. "MTV Classic (ANG) - tv program on 31.03.2022 - TV program - Telemagazyn.pl".
  4. Welsh, Daniel (18 November 2013). "MTV to launch dedicated Christmas channel". Digital Spy. Retrieved 18 November 2013.
  5. "Three MTV channels leave Virgin Media". The Airwaves. 26 August 2010. Archived from the original on 12 January 2013.
  6. "Virgin Media Changelog page 83". Cable Forum. 21 January 2020. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  7. "ICC". Vimeo. Retrieved 27 June 2013.