Research into music channels - Miss Georgiou

Why do we have music tele channels?

We have music tele channels so that we are able to view/listen to a particular channel which is dedicated purely to the music industry and the presentation of music. These channels are able to help promote both the music video themselves as well as the song they are playing with and the artists behind them.

This is the logo for MTV arguably the most popular music channel:

The target audience for MTV consists of teenagers from 13 - 21 year olds. MTV distributes/plays chart music otherwise referred to as popular music at that present time hence often playing popular artists such as Taylor Swift, Rihanna, Britney Spears, Calvin Harris, Beyonce and One direction. This appeals to the target audience as these artists all have a target audience which would be interested in watching their music videos as they are younger members of the audience hence they are more interested in all different kinds of elements of the media as they have grown up with it and are more comfortable with it and more aware than other members of the audience as a whole would be. These music videos are often also able to tell the audience or show the audience more about the artist which their target audience are interested in as they are more interested in artists lives than older audience members as the media coverage that artists receive now has increased compared to what they use to hence younger music fans today view this as acceptable and have adapted it into their lives therefore being more interested. Also all of these artists are thought to be quite attractive hence members their target audience may find that this is an effecting factor for their interest in them hence seeing them in a video would appeal to them. Another factor of this would be that if people view these artists as idols and look up to them or are just purely interested in them then they are going to be interested in watching their videos as it means that they are able to learn more about them as they watch how they present themselves and choose to capture their videos.

Today (16th June 2015) MTV will be playing '2015's leading ladies! top 10' at 15:00 and then at 18:50 they will be playing 'tinie tempah: brand new video' hence proving that the channel is aimed at teens as they are the main sector of the whole audience who would be interested in the latest/newest music as it is relevant to their generation.  Hence by showing tinie tempah's new music video with it's own time slot makes it appear like more of a main event as though they are being shown something important and exclusive which makes them more excited to see it. Making it appear like more of a main event in their lives as something which again is relevant to their generation. This works for many reasons for instance if someone of the younger generation today was to ask someone about the first time they watched a certain music video when they were younger then they may have a story behind it as it was a bigger thing for them seeing as music videos were still much fresher in that time. For instance my dad was able to tell me about the first time he watched Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' video exaggerating that everyone he knew stayed up to watch it. Obviously tinie tempahs video won't have the  same impact as thriller however showcasing it like this works in the same way, attempting to have the same effect. It makes the audience feel like they are watching something new and big and comforts them in the fact that they are watching in first encouraging them as they feel that by doing so they are keeping up to date.

At midnight tonight MTV will be showing one of their most popular reality TV shows 'Geordie shore' again this shows the young target audience that the channel has as Geordie shore has a target audience of teenagers to younger adults as the cast behave in a ways which appeals to young people as this is stereotyped to be the way that young people behave when they go out together and socialise. Often it is thought that older viewers view the antics of the cast to be disgusting when referring to some of their behave including fighting, throwing things at each other, screaming and swearing, having sex on camera and abusing alcohol to the point where they can't even walk properly etc. However people of the younger generation are seen to enjoy seeing this as they see it as a fun thing to watch and are able to relate to the situations and therefore find it funny as these are the kind of things they get up to or watch others get up on when they are out. Whereas those of the younger generation who have children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews etc would likely rather not see this sort of behaviour as they would't like to think of their own children or other children that they're close to behaving in such a way. Some may even choose to try and prevent their children from watching the programme out of fear that the channel would provide a bad influence for their young and impressionable minds. 

MTV is owned by viacom media networks whom also own a whole host of other aspects within the media for instance they have their own website MTV.com which launched in 2008 as well as comedy central, vh1, viva and nickelodeon. 

MTV's logo appears to have graffti style writing on the M which represents that the channel is trying to aim at a younger target audience as they are likely to see graffti as a fun way of expressing yourself where as the older generation are more likely to view this as a pointless petty crime that simply displays ones disrespect. However the rest of the writing all appears very professional including the big m itself and the writing underneath this concludes that although the show is aimed at young people that doesn't make it any less professional than any other TV channel out there. This is a beneficial factor upon MTV as it represents that the channel is capable and knows what it is doing and in turn is able to provide the best possible service for it's viewers. This maintains the brands image of being the most popular and well known music channel. This may also stem from the fact that MTV brands itself within it's channels so that the audience are certain who the company is behind the channel which enforces the idea of a good brand name whereas with music channel company's such as CSC Music Group as it doesn't brand it's channels with the company name but a name of their own and doesn't provide much attention towards the company itself the audience are less likely to be aware of the group therefore it would have a lesser name compared with MTV.

Another music video channel showcased within the UK would be MTV Rocks, launched October 1998, although this is also owned by MTV it is not to be confused with the brands mainstream channel MTV which simply plays popular chart music music videos as MTV Rocks purely aims at playing music videos for rock music from the rock genre. MTV have various other shows like this such as MTV dance etc all working within the same manner. This ensures that music video fans stay away from competitors, plus it keeps MTV being heard of and promotes the mainstream channel as it is the first thing which comes to mind as soon as the audience hears MTV as well as promoting all of the company's other branding networks which come through the mainstream show. For instance this helps to keep the channel a household name, one which is recognised with a good insight into the music industry this helps maintain the good brand image which MTV has created for itself which is so strong that it has become common place fashion to see people walking around with the channels logo on their t-shirts etc.

A different music channel audiences may chose to watch in order to view music videos would be 'Chart Show Dance' launched on the 17th March 2010. The channel is both owned and operated via CSC Media Group which was formally known as chart show channels. Said channel specialises mostly in Urban music, mashups of popular songs and chart remixes. So although you could argue that Chart Show Dance is similar to MTV as it plays popular, mainstream and chart music the channel does more with it, it doesn't just play the typical versions that the main audience is comfortable with but it also plays remixes and mash ups which can provide a more up beat dance feel for the audience. The clear difference between the two channels is that 'Chart Show dance' focuses primarily on the dance genre of music where as MTV will play any music which is popular within the charts. For instance MTV could go from playing an artist such as Katy Perry with an upbeat dance feel song and then straight after go to playing an artist such as Ed Sheeran playing one of his slow songs. Although the audience know to expect chart music which is popular they can't always predict which genres will come up and what order they will play in. Whereas with Chart Show Dance the audience is fully aware of what genre they are getting which can be a important benefiting factor to the audience if they are in the mood to listen to dance music as they know that this is what they are getting and they will have a constant flowing genre which will play throughout which can fit their mood whereas with MTV audiences can go from one genre to another which can kill the mood if they are hoping to listen to music which they can dance to. This can ruin the moment and course them to find that they're not enjoying themselves anymore or wanting to do something else. 

Chart Show dance has a much brighter logo compared with others such as MTV

Another music channel which has differing ways compared with MTV is Starz TV (formally known

as Fizz TV) launched 24th January 2005 owned via Sony Pictures Television.
The station plays a variety of different music videos from a range of different genres which are currently popular within the charts. However the channels set up is rather different to MTV as the channel has a lot more interaction with it's audience. This is managed through the channels texting element via viewers being able to send in text messages as well as pictures which may then be shown on screen.  Current programming for the channel includes 'Non-Stop Starz Music' this features all of the latest hits. Each song is labeled with a four digit number (a three digit number would mean that it was before 2009). The channel most commonly airs this programme, prior to 2013 this programme was known as 'Starz Music'. The channel also showcases a programme called 'Starz Unsigned' which features unsigned acts as well as classic Starz videos and rarely played videos. Classic Starz videos fall into this category after they've been removed from from the Non-Stop Music category. Another programme the channel plays is 'Off Your Bass' which airs only at the weekends featuring classic as well as new dubstep and drum'n'bass. Starz also airs a programme called Hottest Hits On Starz' which in effect is a morning version of 'Non-Stop Starz music' showing the hottest hits appearing on Starz TV at that time. Setting different channels which are able to clearly highlight to the audience what time of day it is as they recognise what is playing with the time it should be played, what they are doing at that time etc is a good idea as it helps the audience to build a stronger relationship with the channel as they feel themselves recognising it's ways.

Starz TV logo is very colourful hence it is attractive to the average teenage audience members mind who is looking for mainstream music as the logo being colourful has connotations of youth as well as the music being the type which this sector of the audience are stereotyped to like so loud, dance, party themed music etc. The logo also appears to have been written in the style of graffiti which is attractive to the channels target audience as to them this is seen to be quite cool and edgy whereas  to someone of the older generation it would appear more as a petty crime and symbolise disrespectful youth hence not something which appeal to them and urge them to watch the channel. The logo is also decorated in stars which is also done in a bid to attract the target audience which highlights that this channel is aimed at a young audience as an older audience wouldn't need these added attractions and could find themselves watching something with a much more simple logo as it is thought that the younger generation are less about having a good quality of music and more about the beat behind it and how good it is to dance to etc or how or more about liking the artist behind it but not necessarily focusing on their music. Hence these stars are representative of the concept of the added extras put into the music aimed at younger people within the industry as well as being representative of the actual name for the company itself as it reminds the audience of the 'Starz' in the logo which helps keep the channel fresh in their minds and helps them to remember and consider that channel when  deciding upon which music channel to opt for. 

Although MTV is thought to have a young target audience it is possible for music channels to aim for even younger audiences as 'Pop Girl' has with it's target audience of seven to twelve year old girls. Pop girl is a free to air children's programme owned via CSC Media Group. From June 2014 the channel broadcasts cartoons as well as live action and pop music videos, even old Nickelodon favourite 'Zoey 101' which originally stopped airing a fresh since May 2nd 2008 as well as other old favourites such as 'The sleepover club', 'Sabrina the teenage witch' and 'lizzie McGuire'.  The channel also airs a programme named 'POP PARTY' which advertises itself on the official PopGirl website as showcasing videos from artists such as Justin Bieber, JLS and Cheryl Cole all artists whom are commonly associated with a young audience particularly a young female audience after all one of Justin Biebers big attraction to his fans who are predominately female is that they find him attractive hence this is more effective on younger females as they are more impressionable and less sure on the world they are more likely to grow a stronger affection for him as they are less likely to view it as unrealistic and childish as well as silly as they don't actually know the artist personally but only as he has been branded to be. In fact often these young girls actually believe that they have a chance of meeting Bieber many even fantasize about marrying him hence urging them to buy his merchandise etc. JLS are able to work in a similar way to Bieber whereas Cheryl Cole is able to attract the young female audience as they find themselves looking up to her not just in her music but in a lot of her public aware appearances for instance working as a judge on the X factor, being branded a fashion icon and also being a former member of girl band 'Girls Aloud.'

The logo for PopGirl is clearly able to attractive its target audience of seven to twelve year old girls as it is put together in quite a girly fashion with both the style of the writing and the colouring. As the colours fit to those which are often associated with young girls as they are thought to be more feminine colours. Hence if the channel was aimed at boys of the same age then the colour scheme would likely be based around colours such as blue or green. The fact that the channel has opted to use colours which are clearly set out for their chosen gender indicates that the channel is aimed at their target audience as generally as people get older the clear indication of colours for boys and girls tends to become less relevant. It only really exists in young children as it helps parents to indicate their babies gender to the rest of the world without them having to ask and feel rude or get it wrong and create an awkward atmosphere. This theme tends to stay with children until they reach older years when their parents are no longer dressing them.  

Magic is a British music channel launched 13th September 2001, owned via The Box Plus Network, which focuses on playing 'easy listening to' music videos. The channel itself is based upon the radio station of the same name and owned by the same company. The channel mainly plays music videos which are from the 80s, 90s or 00s. Magic brands itself as playing 'feel good music for all ages' indicating that the channel doesn't want to alienate any segments of the music industry's audience as that would mean loosing out on potential viewers which the channels feels that it can obtain as it isn't just aiming for music of one particular genre or one set time period but rather music which they feel is able to provide a happy feel. This image rather brands the channel as something you could have playing with the family as it is happy music which creates a nice atmosphere rather than watching music videos of the rock or grunge genre and isn't just mainstream music for the time which the older generation are said to not be so fond of. On it's website Magic advertises itself as focusing on artists such as Dido, Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Will Young and George Michael who are all artists whom fit and adapt to this feel that magic is trying to create for it's audience.

The logo for magic is rather neutral although blue has connotations of being a boys colour this only really works in juxtaposition to the idea that pink is a girls colour as it is thought as being more feminine. Hence as it is on her it's own thought out being suppressed next to anything to make clear indications between the different genders it is representative of how the channel is able to appeal to both genders. The writing itself although is seen to be a nice style of font is still rather neutral as it is rather plan again this indicates to the audience that it is viewable for all as the logo doesn't set itself to one particular segment of the audience nor does it alienate any. Again the logo's plainness represents that the channels isn't aimed particularly at a younger segment of the audience as stereotypically extra things are added to logos to attractive children as well as a more attractive/brighter colour scheme. 

Aka is a music channel formally named Channel U, owned via All Around The World Productions, launched in 2003. The channel focuses on playing upcoming UK grime/hip-hop/urban music and has been able to help the breakthrough for acts such tinie tempah, Tinchy Stryder, Wretch 32, Chipmunk, N-dubz, Devlin and Dizzie Rascal. The website states the aims behind the channel; the aim of the channel was to highlight to the public, the raw and unsigned talent we have in the UK, and give them a platform from which they could perform,".  This portrays how different Aka is compared with MTV as AKA is finds and attempts to boost new talent whereas MTV simply airs talented which is already both known and popular among the general audience particularly the younger generation. 

Although the AKA logo is rather plain it is still able to make it clear to the audience which segment the channel is aiming it's music video towards (the younger members) due to the male figure leaning up against the writing. The dress of the character represents to the audience the kind of artists the channel shall be showcasing as this comes from the hat the silhouette is wearing as well as the big baggy jeans and the big trainers. This indication of the grim genre which the channel plays shall appeal to it's target audience as it shows that the channel doesn't simply play music videos from the genre but it is also to understand all aspects of the genre such as the way that the audience like to dress plus represent themselves and what that says about them.  


Music channels play a big role in the promotion of music videos. As they are able to play and promote them to a large audience as music channels obtain many viewers hence they're successful. However different channels are promoted to do this in different ways. For instance mainstream channels such as MTV are able to promote new music which is already on it's way to being big and popular. Although MTV is able to promote these new videos this isn't the channels intentional plans instead they focus primarily on pleasing the audience and providing them with new music videos which fit to the audiences wants and expectations. Where as channels such as AKA like to help promote new artists and have an impact on the music industry MTV simply plays what is already out there, the channel doesn't distribute anything to the music industry other than it's abilities to promote certain aspects of it.