VH1 (originally an initialism for Video Hits One) is an American basic cable television network launched on January 1, 1985, and is currently owned by Paramount Skydance through its network division's MTV Entertainment Group unit, based in New York City. The network was originally owned by Warner-Amex Satellite Entertainment; a division of Warner Communications, and the original owner of sister channel MTV at the time. It was launched in the channel space of Turner Broadcasting System's short-lived Cable Music Channel.
VH1 was originally conceived to build upon the success of MTV by playing music videos targeting a slightly older demographic focusing on the lighter, softer side of popular music. Like MTV, VH1 ultimately drifted away from music and into reality television programming; albeit with a focus on music personalities, celebrities, and shows targeting African-American audiences. VH1 is best known for franchises such as Behind the Music, the I Love... series, the Celebreality block, Love & Hip Hop, and Basketball Wives.