Initially, why were most videos on MTV mainstream rock?
a. mainstream rock videos were the only videos available to be aired on the network
b. mainstream rock was the style of music that dominated the music charts
c. mainstream rock appealed to MTVs target audience of white teenagers from the midwest
d. mainstream rock allowed the appearance of other styles of pop and rock
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is b. mainstream rock was the style of music that dominated the music charts.
Explanation:
MTV, launched on August 1, 1981, revolutionized the way music was consumed by adding a visual component to music, airing music videos 24/7. At its inception, the network primarily played mainstream rock videos because this genre dominated the charts in the early 1980s. The music videos featured on MTV were directly tied to the popularity of the artists and genres that were commercially successful at the time.
Mainstream rock bands like The Police, Journey, and Queen had already established a massive following through their album sales and radio play. Since these artists were already at the top of the charts, it made sense for MTV to prioritize their videos to attract viewers who were already familiar with these bands and their music.
Additionally, rock music in the early 1980s was seen as a more “universal” genre, appealing to a wide demographic. This made it a safe and commercially viable choice for MTV, as it could cater to the broadest audience. The network also needed content to fill its programming hours, and rock videos were the most readily available and suitable for the new format.
While MTV’s early programming largely revolved around rock, it did eventually expand to include other genres such as pop, new wave, and even hip-hop. However, it was the dominance of mainstream rock in the charts and the commercial radio that provided the initial framework for the network’s early success.
In conclusion, mainstream rock was initially the most prevalent genre on MTV because it was the style of music that dominated the music charts at the time, providing a substantial amount of content for the channel to showcase.