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In 1981, a scrappy ex-radio executive named John Lack had a wild vision: “What if there was a 24-hour television channel devoted entirely to music videos?” Back then, music videos weren’t really a thing, just a goofy way for record labels to promote new albums (Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody? Basically a hype video). But Lack saw them as the perfect opportunity to capture a completely untapped demographic…Teens. Record labels laughed him out of the room (""We ain't giving you our f*cking music"") and corporate suits questioned every angle. But against the odds, Lack changed the game with six words: “Ladies and Gentlemen, Rock and Roll.” Find out how MTV revolutionized not only how we consume music, but how we experience culture itself… why David Bowie put the channel on blast, and how “seven strangers” helped launch a $2B reality-show industry. Here’s why MTV is the best idea yet.Â
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Follow The Best Idea Yet on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to new episodes early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting www.wondery.com/links/the-best-idea-yet/ now.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
By Wondery4.6
516516 ratings
In 1981, a scrappy ex-radio executive named John Lack had a wild vision: “What if there was a 24-hour television channel devoted entirely to music videos?” Back then, music videos weren’t really a thing, just a goofy way for record labels to promote new albums (Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody? Basically a hype video). But Lack saw them as the perfect opportunity to capture a completely untapped demographic…Teens. Record labels laughed him out of the room (""We ain't giving you our f*cking music"") and corporate suits questioned every angle. But against the odds, Lack changed the game with six words: “Ladies and Gentlemen, Rock and Roll.” Find out how MTV revolutionized not only how we consume music, but how we experience culture itself… why David Bowie put the channel on blast, and how “seven strangers” helped launch a $2B reality-show industry. Here’s why MTV is the best idea yet.Â
Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter
Follow The Best Idea Yet on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to new episodes early and ad-free on Wondery+. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting www.wondery.com/links/the-best-idea-yet/ now.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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