MTV Classic (American TV channel)
MTV Classic (formerly VH1 Smooth, VH1 Classic Rock, and VH1 Classic) is an American pay television network owned by Paramount Media Networks. It was originally launched in 1998 as "VH1 Smooth", an adult contemporary and smooth jazz channel. It was relaunched as "VH1 Classic Rock" in 1999 (later renamed "VH1 Classic" until 2016), with an emphasis on classic rock. On August 1, 2016, in honor of MTV's 35th anniversary, the channel was rebranded as "MTV Classic", and now exclusively displays music videos from all genres from the 1980s to the early 2000s.
For other uses, see MTV Classic.Country
United States
New York City, New York, United States
English
August 1, 1998
- VH1 Smooth (1998–1999)
- VH1 Classic Rock (1999–2000)
- VH1 Classic (2000–2016)
Philo, FuboTV, AT&T TV, YouTube TV, Vidgo TV, Hulu + Live TV
History[edit]
1998–1999: VH1 Smooth[edit]
VH1 Smooth launched on August 1, 1998 as a part of the "Suite" digital package, delaying the initial launch date of July 31, 1998.[1][2] The channel that focused on smooth jazz, new age, and adult contemporary music.[1][3] The first music video to play on the channel was a cover of "Makin' Whoopee" by Branford Marsalis.[4]