VH1
 Logo used since 2016 (wordmark in use since 2013) | |
| Country | United States |
|---|---|
| Broadcast area | Nationwide |
| Headquarters | New York City |
| Programming | |
| Language | English |
| Picture format | 1080i HDTV (downscaled to letterboxed 480i for the SDTV feed) |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Paramount Media Networks (Paramount Skydance) |
| Parent | BET Media Group |
| Sister channels | |
| History | |
| Launched | January 1, 1985 |
| Replaced | Cable Music Channel |
| Former names |
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| Links | |
| Website | www |
| Availability | |
| Streaming media | |
| Service(s) | DirecTV Stream, FuboTV, Hulu, Philo, Sling TV, YouTube TV |
| Affiliated streaming service | Paramount+ |
VH1 (originally an initialism for Video Hits One) is an American basic cable television network launched on January 1, 1985. It is currently owned by Paramount Skydance Corporation's BET Media Group, and based in New York City. The network was originally owned by Warner-Amex Satellite Entertainment, a division of Warner Communications (currently WBD), 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.
VH1's visual identity has also undergone several changes over the years, including multiple revisions of its logo and on-air branding. These updates reflected broader shifts in the network's programming strategy and target audience, as VH1 transitioned from a music video–oriented channel to a general entertainment network.
As of December 2023, VH1 is available in approximately 67,481,000 American households, down from 90.2 million in January 2016.