VH1 was established on January 1, 1985 in the heart of New York City. It was originally created by Warner – Amex Satellite Entertainment and is also owned by the American global mass media company Viacom. The channels purpose was to broadcast a softer side of popular music that it's sister channel MTV ( also a company of Viacom) did not offer, basically to attract a more mature audience. VH1 catered to music genres such as, Pop, R&B, Jazz, Smooth Jazz, Motown, Soul, and Alternative Rock. Mainly music artists from the early late 70's and early 80's and 90”s.
Some of VH1's early programming was Video countdown, Pop-up video, VH1 story tellers, Behind the Music and Legends. These programs gave a outlook on the popular artist of that time, giving the audience and the fans a chance to get familiar with their personal lives outside and behind the music. Reality TV programming has been VH1's claim to fame. Ratings for VH1's music reality TV has been a popular demand and has been it's main goal to continue to deliver the programs the fans want.