Hm, I haven't got the quote to hand, but apparently some time around the 18th December we're getting yet another music channel - VH2. Think MTV2 and you're there - this channel is apparently going to play music from the likes of 'Coldplay', 'The White Stripes' e.t.c.
I don't understand. They're saying that it will be aimed at the middle-aged market and fair enoughj, high brow rock should have a home - but isn't this just what MTV2 play during most of the day... and if not then surely a mix of MTV2 and VH1 [channel hopping] is all the viewer needs.
I just can't see the unique selling point of the channel.
VH2 has been in the pipeline for a few months and will launch on the 16th of December.
The format will be, from what I can gather, a softer version of MTV2. No heavy metal/grunge/mosher whatever you want to call it, just general rock tracks. Heres the press release:
Quote:
MTV Networks UK & Ireland will be launching an exciting new channel on Tuesday December 16th 2003 - to sit within and complement the VH1 family of branded channels (VH1, VH1 Classic and TMF). VH2 will launch on the Sky digital platform with a 24hr remit to provide accessible rock and guitar-based music from the 90s’ through to today. The channel will be aimed at the discerning, 25yr old + music lover who is still actively enthusiastic about music and about new album releases.
Key artists that will feature within VH2’s playlist include: Coldplay, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, U2, Stereophonics, The Stone Roses, Oasis, The White Stripes, REM and Travis.
The channel will be pumped with attitude and drive with a proactive quest to promote the music policy that it believes in. Audiences will therefore be guaranteed all day access to their favourite artists.
On launch, VH2 will play:-
0600-0900 Coffee & TV
0900-1800 Plug In
1800-2200 Right Here, Right Now
2200-2300 Four Play (3-part show dedicated playing 4 videos from one of our core artists)
2300-0559 Keeping It Up
Viewers will also be provided with the “Inside Track” – (recommends and introduces) which will provide all the latest news on key release and tour dates - plus the additional offering, Approved by 2). Future plans for the channel include themed music weekends, coverage of live festivals and performances, artist interviews and hour - long specials.
VH2 are also pleased to announce the launch of “This Is Americana” in association with Captain America AKA Nick Stewart from Virgin Radio, and supported by Uncut Magazine. This zone - to be shown on Sunday nights from 0000hrs – 0100hrs, will feature the very best music from the American alt country scene to showcase this fast growing musical movement.
VH2’s launch has come about following extensive research pointing to a gap in the market for this type of channel proposition (56% of music channel viewers are fans of this genre) With consumer and industry appetite for guitar-based tracks and rock bands on the increase, it seemed a natural choice for MTV Networks UK to embark on the challenge to fill the industry void.
The new channel launch will also provide a perfect partner to VH2’s sister channel VH1 - which since February this year has undergone a transformation to inject more glamour and music based entertainment programming into its schedule.
VH1 will continue to evolve in this direction. Its bold and vibrant new look, coupled with new UK produced programming, including 100 Greatest Pop Culture Icons presented by Anna Friel and When Supermodels Ruled The World will continue to provide viewers with fresh and exciting shows that enhance its upbeat playlist.
VH1 will continue to secure exclusive interviews with some of the world’s biggest stars - through shows such as “The Fabulous Life Of”, “All Access” and “The Rise & Rise Of”. It will also broadcast some of the very best in iconic music-based films such as Dirty Dancing, Fame and Footloose.
In light of the new channel launch, VH1 will retune its playlist to incorporate even more feel-good modern music, mixed in with your favourite tracks from the last 20 years.
Musical strands that have been added to VH1 this year to complement its new look and feel include: “Girls Night In” – modern and classic party tracks guaranteed to get you dancing round your handbag, “Chick Flicks” – your guide to the best girlie soundtracks available and “Hunks and Babes” – the sauciest, fleshiest videos around.
By adding to the VH1 family, there will be now be a new home for artists who wish to appeal to a certain music enthusiast and a clearly defined set of VH1 channels that will provide all genres of music video for the viewers.
VH1 Classic will continue to dedicate its music and programming to the nostalgic amongst us, whilst TMF will carry on broadcasting the very best in music offerings to appeal to the whole family.
Tests have recently started at 11.895 V under 'ej2" (or somthing similar to that).
I'd like to see the logo, as I don't know how they can adapt the terrible new VH1 logo into VH2. Of course, they might not do that and go for somthing completely different.
I don't see the point of it, there are already too many music channels, why woudld mtv networks want to launch vh2 when they already have 1& clasisic.
You can't educate pork!
why woudld mtv networks want to launch vh2 when they already have 1& clasisic.
Perhaps because it isn't going to be like them, its going to offer somthing unique, that currently is not offered by any of the existing MTV Network channels.
VH1 is just a dumping ground for endless Top 100's, and VH1 Classic is designed to play classic tracks. Neither of them play (much) of the music which will feature on VH2's playlist - infact, only The Amp really comes close to what VH2 will offer. So there is a point in launching it.
I saw some trialers for this yesterday, featuring clips from music videos. I've seen 3 so far- one has a clip from Travis "Why does it always rain on me", the 2nd is The Darkness "I belive in a thing called love" and the 3rd is Oasis "go let it out", followed by 16.12.03 at the end. Doesn't really look like my sort of channel. At least VH-2 will be the softer stuff which is better than the Kerrang/Scuzz harder stuff, who have about as much talent as Busted- making a racket with the instruments & growling incoherantly down a microphone isn't what I call musical talent. At least the softer rock least has tune & talent brhind it, even though it's not my thing.
All MTV channels start with good intentions, but give it six months and VH2 will be playing Liberty X and Busted like every other music channel. MTV Dance started life as a decent dance channel, but now plays a mix of pop and r'n'b with the odd dance video. Just like all the other MTV and EMAP channels.
With the launch of VH2, does this mean the end of VH1 Classic (one of the best music channels on the EPG)?
Hope not.
No. The VH1 channels will move down one, so it should be:
445: VH1
446: VH1 Classic
447: VH2
448: TMF
I'm pleased to say MTV Dance has shown a slight improvement today and has been playing a bit more dance, saw Tomcraft, The Lost Brothers (never thought i'd be seeing that track on MTV Dance), Room 5, Iio, and various others mixed in with the pop today.
VH2 has been in the pipeline for a few months and will launch on the 16th of December.
The format will be, from what I can gather, a softer version of MTV2. No heavy metal/grunge/mosher whatever you want to call it, just general rock tracks. Heres the press release:
Quote:
MTV Networks UK & Ireland will be launching an exciting new channel on Tuesday December 16th 2003 - to sit within and complement the VH1 family of branded channels (VH1, VH1 Classic and TMF). VH2 will launch on the Sky digital platform with a 24hr remit to provide accessible rock and guitar-based music from the 90s’ through to today. The channel will be aimed at the discerning, 25yr old + music lover who is still actively enthusiastic about music and about new album releases.
Key artists that will feature within VH2’s playlist include: Coldplay, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, U2, Stereophonics, The Stone Roses, Oasis, The White Stripes, REM and Travis.
The channel will be pumped with attitude and drive with a proactive quest to promote the music policy that it believes in. Audiences will therefore be guaranteed all day access to their favourite artists.
On launch, VH2 will play:-
0600-0900 Coffee & TV
0900-1800 Plug In
1800-2200 Right Here, Right Now
2200-2300 Four Play (3-part show dedicated playing 4 videos from one of our core artists)
2300-0559 Keeping It Up
Viewers will also be provided with the “Inside Track” – (recommends and introduces) which will provide all the latest news on key release and tour dates - plus the additional offering, Approved by 2). Future plans for the channel include themed music weekends, coverage of live festivals and performances, artist interviews and hour - long specials.
VH2 are also pleased to announce the launch of “This Is Americana” in association with Captain America AKA Nick Stewart from Virgin Radio, and supported by Uncut Magazine. This zone - to be shown on Sunday nights from 0000hrs – 0100hrs, will feature the very best music from the American alt country scene to showcase this fast growing musical movement.
VH2’s launch has come about following extensive research pointing to a gap in the market for this type of channel proposition (56% of music channel viewers are fans of this genre) With consumer and industry appetite for guitar-based tracks and rock bands on the increase, it seemed a natural choice for MTV Networks UK to embark on the challenge to fill the industry void.
The new channel launch will also provide a perfect partner to VH2’s sister channel VH1 - which since February this year has undergone a transformation to inject more glamour and music based entertainment programming into its schedule.
VH1 will continue to evolve in this direction. Its bold and vibrant new look, coupled with new UK produced programming, including 100 Greatest Pop Culture Icons presented by Anna Friel and When Supermodels Ruled The World will continue to provide viewers with fresh and exciting shows that enhance its upbeat playlist.
VH1 will continue to secure exclusive interviews with some of the world’s biggest stars - through shows such as “The Fabulous Life Of”, “All Access” and “The Rise & Rise Of”. It will also broadcast some of the very best in iconic music-based films such as Dirty Dancing, Fame and Footloose.
In light of the new channel launch, VH1 will retune its playlist to incorporate even more feel-good modern music, mixed in with your favourite tracks from the last 20 years.
Musical strands that have been added to VH1 this year to complement its new look and feel include: “Girls Night In” – modern and classic party tracks guaranteed to get you dancing round your handbag, “Chick Flicks” – your guide to the best girlie soundtracks available and “Hunks and Babes” – the sauciest, fleshiest videos around.
By adding to the VH1 family, there will be now be a new home for artists who wish to appeal to a certain music enthusiast and a clearly defined set of VH1 channels that will provide all genres of music video for the viewers.
VH1 Classic will continue to dedicate its music and programming to the nostalgic amongst us, whilst TMF will carry on broadcasting the very best in music offerings to appeal to the whole family.
Tests have recently started at 11.895 V under 'ej2" (or somthing similar to that).
I'd like to see the logo, as I don't know how they can adapt the terrible new VH1 logo into VH2. Of course, they might not do that and go for somthing completely different.
VH1 Classic's logo hasn't changed, so I am guessing that the VH2 logo might be something new. But they might just turn the 2 around on the new VH1 logo, though that would look stupid (although the VHr logo looks silly, so who knows!)
