Research: Channels

Introduction: What are music channels and why are they so important?

Music channels are TV programmes which generally show music videos by popular artists and bands in the music industry to the audience. These music channels are generally on cable or satellite and are extremely vital to the music industries overall success. Music channels are highly important as they also allow the audience to watch the artists music video rather than just listening to the song alone. From this, it helps promote the artist ensuring that it receives more views which further creates a larger fan base to help support the artist long term. Without these music channels, artists would struggle with the lack of views their song gets as not many would not have the knowledge that it exists. If this was to happen then the lack of views their song gets will become unsuccessful as not many people would be aware of it. Therefore, music channels are a necessity to artists as it ensures the success of their music career also allowing various genres of music to be promoted to a wider audience so no one is left out. Music stations have created these particular stations as a source of synergy to promote their music to their audience such as the music station, KISS, Magic and Capital FM have their own channels. Magic also has three different channels dedicated to them including SKY 363, Virgin 340 and Freesat 523 which enables their audience to listen to music on their television rather than having to listen to it on the radio, giving them more choice and freedom to pick their media platform. Evidently this just illustrates the importance of music channels today.

Music Channels today...

There are many music channels on todays TV to suit the tastes of a mass audiences expectations. This is because it ensures the audience with a larger variety of music genre to choose from and which station that satisfies or appeals to them the most. In the past where there were fewer music channels to choose from, the audience were only restricted to one or two stations that limited their choice. However, due to the increase of music channels, it has been beneficial for the audience as it gives them a wider range of music channels to choose from which suits them best, in addition, leading to a larger audience appeal and a growing industry. The increase in music channels also has been beneficial for artists as it allows someone to become more popular by gaining a larger fan base due to their music videos being played repeatedly which potentially makes it easily recognisable.

Today's music channels include:

Kiss, Flava, Viva, 4Music, Kerrang, Magic, The Vault, Bliss, Heart TV, Capital TV, Starz, Stars TV, Heat, MTV.

Channels are becoming more than just music...

Nowadays, music channels are not only just catering for music videos but also TV shows as well and because of this, music channels are able to appeal to a mass audience on several different media platforms who can relate to the content.

• For example, the music channel MTV is popularly known however it actually in fact started off as a TV show as well as a show for just music videos. As their popularity has grown gradually over the years, there is now a larger audience appeal as more people are finding it entertaining to watch as they're given the power to choose what they watch on the channel. Popular artists who have music videos have been played on MTV such as Rihanna, Britney Spears and One Direction who are extremely popular within the music industry due to the massive following they have.
• Excluding the music, the channel MTV play shows for the audience to watch include: Catfish, Teen Mom, Ex on the Beach, Geordie Shore and many more. Many fans of MTV are often females aged 16-25 as it appeals to them more because they can relate to the following shows.
• MTV however, now has sister channels which show different genres for example: MTV dance - club music which appeals to 18-25, MTV Live - concerts and festivals, MTV Rocks - rock music which appeals to audiences ages 25-40, MTV Base - showing different types of sub genre of mainstream artists such as Chris Brown, Beyoncé appealing to many younger ethnic groups, MTV Hits - which plays pop music in the charts that appeals to much younger audiences from 5 to up.

What music genres are unpresented and why?

Despite having a good amount of music channels allowing audiences to have a wide range of choice, there are particular genres that are little under represented due to their niche sub-genre, appealing to only niche audiences rather than mainstreamers.
Music genres that are usually unrepresented are alternative R&B and hip pop and are rarely streamed on these popular music channels such as 4music and MTV. Arguably, their content can be controversial which might upset audience, in addition giving them a restricted time to air for ages around 18-3e0 year olds. Another genre that is also often under represented on these popular music channels is Jazz. As its a niche genre, it usually appeals only to older audiences such as those in their 40's who are unlikely to watch music channels in comparison to the younger audiences who have a greater interests in music.
There are also people who create their own personal music channel and video which is often promoted by AKA however, they are now unrepresented and no longer available because of new media platforms such as YouTube which is used by many people that allow artists get popular faster.

Advantages of having music channels

• They are able to promote and artist and become recognisable with their music videos that are being played to a large audience.
• It also creates a profound relationship between the artist and audience furthermore, allowing people to relate to the artists music and become part of the fan base.
• Through gaining popularity, music channels enable artist to establish fan base, the popular the artist gets.

Disadvantages of having so many music channels

• There are niche genres that are often under represented, this is because of the up rise of more music channels being created. These niche genres are as a result receiving less viewings.
• There is less engagement and viewings with so many music channels.
• Music channels are no longer playing music as much due to trying to appeal to a larger audience, they now play TV shows and festivals.

Conclusion: What channels do you think your music video will play on and why?

The music channel that I think my music video will play on is MTV as its popular having a many other sister channels which can promote a variety of genres appealing to a mass audience. This means that whatever music genre I decide to go with, the music channel is able to support it as they have a large fan base with many different individuals with different taste in music.

On the radio station, I think I would choose Capital to help promote my music video as its a ls a very popular music channel. With its already large fan base, it ensures that my song will definitely be played to large audience gaining recognition and popularity.