On August 1, 1981 a new channel on cable premiered. It was called Music Television (MTV). The first video they showed was Video Killed The Radio Star. That video was followed by the first episode of The Real World, giving birth to reality TV. There isn’t a video called Reality TV Killed The Music Video Star, but there should be. Also, I am sure you know that my timeline I just stated is just a bit inaccurate.

It was actually eleven years later in 1992 that The Real World premiered, but it didn’t feel that long. This would signal the decline and eventual extinction of the music video. When MTV went over to full time reality TV, they launched MTV2 to show videos. This didn’t last long either as second tier reality shows soon filled all the time slots on that channel. I think you might, just might, be able to catch the odd music video on MTV 8 The Ocho. Thinking about this made me wonder what other TV Channels don’t exactly play the programming that their name suggests.

The Learning Channel (TLC)

TLC initially focused on educational and instructional programming. Then they decided they wanted us to learn about more important topics such as:

I mean, I sure as hell want to learn more about 90 Day Fiancés and 1000 LB Sisters. Wouldn’t you? My wife is obsessed with Dr. Pimple Popper. I just find it totally disgusting!

Discovery Channel

Here’s some of the things we discover when watching Discovery Channel:

Most of these are fake, but I have to admit that I did watch Myth Busters and I was once hooked on The Deadliest Catch before it got monotonous. Shouldn’t Battle Bots be on ESPN 8?

HGTV

HGTV stand for Homes and Garden TV. Here are some trending shows from that channel:

Guess they got the homes (or houses) part down pat. The gardens? Not so much.

Bravo

When Bravo originally launched, the channel focused on programming related to fine arts and film. Here are the fine arts and film they currently focus on:

Let’s face it, they should just rename it The Real Housewives Channel. I do like Top Chef but it still doesn’t fit the category. Sounds like something that should be on The Cooking Channel? I’m happy to report that The Cooking Channel is still mostly about cooking. I’m sure we aren’t too far away from when it will be about Nazi Chefs vs. Southern Housewife Cooks, though.

The History Channel

Then we come to The History Channel. Probably the most grievous offender of them all. The network was originally focused on history-based as well as social and science documentaries. During the late 2000s, History drifted into reality television programming. In addition to this change in format, the network has been criticized by many scientists, historians, and skeptics for broadcasting pseudo-documentaries and unsubstantiated, sensational investigative programming such as:

All I can do is shake my head and remember the old adage Those who don’t learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Guess I won’t have to worry about Swamp People in my future. To be totally transparent, I do like Forged In Fire, but that’s because I am a sword nut.

VH1

Now we come full circle back to the music video. The channel was originally conceived to build upon the success of sister channel MTV by playing music videos targeting a slightly older demographic than MTV by focusing on the lighter, softer side of popular music. Like MTV, VH1 ultimately drifted away from music videos and into reality television programming, albeit with a focus on music personalities and celebrities. Behind The Music, became a mainstay for VH1 and at least it stayed in the music genre. One of my favorites was Pop Up Videos, which would pop up little bubbles of fun facts while a video was playing. Now we get this:

I wonder if there is a VH8?

Did I miss some? Are there ones that just stick in your craw? Like some of the shows I trashed and want to change my mind? Let me know in the comments.

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