The Best Channels on TV For Music

Attention, all music fans! If you love music, you probably also love the the accompanying music videos, award shows, live performances and everything else that comes with it. If that’s the case for you, keep reading to see which channels you should make sure to have on your TV service.

Table of Contents

  • What to Watch on MTV
  • Best Shows on VH1 (Video Hits One)
  • Music Programming on CMT (Country Music Television)
  • Fuse Music and Culture Shows
  • Where to Watch Music Channels
  • FAQ

Summary

Looking for good music-related content to watch on TV? Check out the array of options below for those with cable TV. You can even watch certain channels on some streaming services if you don’t have cable.

Band BTS at the MTV VMAs
BTS at MTV's VMAs
Image credit:www.gq-magazine.co.uk

What to Watch on MTV, MTV2 and MTV Classic

As the leading youth entertainment brand, MTV is where you can find the latest music videos, events, celebrity news and TV shows.

Some featured shows popular on MTV now are:

  • MTV Push - Discover a new breakout artist each month on MTV Push, and see exclusive performances, interviews and more.
  • Unplugged - This American TV series showcases different artists, typically musicians who play acoustic instruments.
  • The EMAs and VMAs - Watch the MTV Europe Music Awards and Video Music Awards every year on MTV.

Some featured shows popular on MTV2 now are:

  • Wild 'n Out - Host Nick Cannon leads various games including rap battles, roasts and more, all including popular comedians, upcoming artists and other celebrities.
  • Mac Miller and the Most Dope Family - This is a documentary on the now deceased rapper including his adventures and other life situations involving him and his friends.
  • Headbangers Ball - This channel airs all the best metal and rock music videos.
  • Sucker Free - This channel is one of MTV2's sole hip-hop video blocks.
  • 120 Minutes - This is where you can find all things alternative including rock, leftfield and electronic music.
  • Hip Hop Squares - In this classic game show, executive produced by rapper/actor Ice Cube, some of the biggest names in hip-hop face each other in a tic-tac-toe match to win cash for audience members.

Some featured shows popular on MTV Classic now are:

  • Yo! Hip Hop Mix - This show features an array of old-school rap music videos.
  • Total Request Playlist - One hour of the most requested music videos of the new Millennium.
  • MTV Classic Videos - One hour of a music video mix of various genres include pop, rock, r&b and hip-hop.
  • 90s Nation -  One hour of fan-favorite music videos from some of the biggest artists from grunge to hip-hop and more.
  • House of Pop - Pop music fans will love this mix of artists from the pop music industry.
  • Rock Block - All rock fans will appreciate this mix of artists from the 80s, 90s and early 00s.

TV watchers who prefer a channel selection that is heavily centered around Latino life and culture can watch a selection of shows on MTV Tres including EXITOS, ReMexa, Fresh, Tropicalísimo and more.

That Metal Show on VH1
That Metal Show on VH1
Image credit: www.vh1.com

Best Shows on VH1

VH1 is an American TV network owned by ViacomCBS, originally created to build upon its sister channel, MTV. However, its music videos are targeted toward a slightly more mature demographic with a focus on the lighter and softer side of pop music.

  • I Heart Nick Carter - Follow "Backstreet Boys" popstar Nick Carter on his life with fiancé Lauren Kitt.
  • Infamy - If you like crime shows, you'll love this one which digs deep into celebrity-related crimes.
  • K. Michelle: My Life - Keep up with the daily life of singer/songwriter K. Michelle.
  • Love & Hip Hop - This series centers around up-and-coming male hip-hop artists and their relationships.
  • Martha & Snoop's Potluck Dinner Party - This variety show is sure to keep you entertained with duo Martha Stewart and Snoop Dogg.
  • That Metal Show - If you love hard rock and/or heavy metal, tune in to these weekly discussions about all the latest news in rock, metal and related genres.
CMT Crossroads featuring Nelly
CMT Crossroads
Image credit: cmt.mtvnimages.com

Music Programming on CMT

Country Music Television, otherwise known as CMT, is an American TV network also owned by ViacomCBS. Its country music and videos bring together country music fans with its programming including concerts, specials and biographies of country musicians.

  • CMT Crossroads - Big names in country music collaborate with other big names in various genres, and discuss their mutual love for music.
  • Music City - This docuseries takes watchers on a journey with young adults chasing their dreams in the city of Nashville.
  • CMT Campfire Sessions - This feel-good show places watchers in a campfire setting with big names in country music performing their hit songs.
  • CMT Hot 20 Countdown - This is a live weekly showcasing of today's most popular country music videos in a countdown fashion.
Martha & Snoop's Potluck Party Challenge
Martha & Snoop's Potluck Party Challenge
Image credit: www.imdb.com

Fuse Music and Culture Shows

Fuse includes cultural-based content that showcases musicians, talented artists and creators across multiple platforms.

  • Martha & Snoop's Potluck Dinner Party - Polar opposites Snoop Dogg and Martha Stewart host celebrities for themed potlucks with a twist.
  • Made From Scratch - Big artist names share intimate family history over a home-cooked dinner.
  • T-Pain's School of Business - In this show, you can follow T-Pain on his journey toward his big break into the field of entrepreneurism.
  • Genius X Fuse - Some of the biggest names in hip-hop share their stories behind major hit songs.
  • Unframed - Eight up-and-coming artists take watchers on a ride throughout their push toward a contemporary change in the modern world.
  • Hype-Up - Several big hip-hop artists including A Boogie With Da Hoodie surprise some of their student-athlete fans.
  • Hip-Hop Houdini - Magician, Smoothini, impresses several artists with his killer magic skills.

Where to Watch Music Channels

Many of these channels are available with traditional TV packages, such as those offered by Spectrum and DIRECTV.

If you’re looking for a streaming option instead, Spectrum offers free access to the Spectrum TV app for all Spectrum TV customers. This allows you to stream the channels you’d normally get with your Spectrum TV package from your mobile device.

Additionally, DIRECTV offers a variety of TV packages with the channels you know and love.

Call the number at the top of this page to get help with finding out which services are available in your area!

Many streaming services also offer plentiful music and entertainment channels.

You can also use our ZIP code lookup to check which companies offer cable TV packages to your home.

Frequently asked questions

Where can you watch MTV and VH1?

Spectrum, DIRECTV, Philo, Sling TV, fuboTV, YouTube TV, Vidgo, DIRECTV and TVision.

Where can you watch CMT?

You can watch CMT on Hulu.

Written by Jessica Moore

Edited by Henry St. Pierre

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