MTV
Youth entertainment brand with cable channels, reality franchises and live events such as the MTV Video Music Awards.
Viacom bought it from Warner Amex.
MTV launched in 1981 under Warner Amex, and Viacom took full control of MTV Networks in 1985; it passed to Paramount through the 2019 Viacom–CBS merger.
How big is MTV?
Earns from ads, carriage fees and live events such as the VMAs.
- Advertising
- Affiliate fees
- Events and licensing
- 1981MTV goes on air
- 1984First Video Music Awards
- 1985Viacom buys MTV
- 1992MTV goes political
- 2019Part of ViacomCBS
One of Skydance's cable networks.
MTV is a domestic cable network in the TV Media segment and supplies youth and reality content to Paramount+ and Pluto TV.
- MTV revenue or profit (reported inside the TV Media segment)
- MTV audience or subscriber reach
- The price paid for MTV alone (the 1985 deal bundled MTV Networks with Showtime)
MTV: questions and answers
What is MTV?
Youth entertainment brand with cable channels, reality franchises and live events such as the MTV Video Music Awards.
Who owns MTV?
MTV is owned by Skydance. Viacom bought it from Warner Amex.
How big is MTV?
TV Media segment revenue: $3.02B (Q3 2026).
How does MTV make money?
Earns from ads, carriage fees and live events such as the VMAs. Main sources: Advertising, Affiliate fees and Events and licensing.
Who are MTV's competitors?
MTV competes with YouTube, TikTok, Bravo and E!.
Skydance's other brands
Every number on this page comes from Skydance's own reports.
- Paramount Skydance Corporation Form 10-K for fiscal year 2025: business description (CBS Network, 29 owned … ↗
- Paramount Skydance Corporation Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2026: Paramount+ revenues, subscrib… ↗
- Viacom to acquire Showtime and MTV ↗
- Skydance Corporation Form 10-Q for Q3 2026: Paramount+ 82.2M subscribers and $8.69 ARPU, TV Media and Direc… ↗
Point your phone at a logo.
See the company behind it.
The full story in 12 chapters · compare any two companies · 335 companies, and any other on request.
Download on the App Store
