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Video Concert Hall (VCH) is a television program that debuted in 1978 or 1979[1] on theUSA Network and onShowtime,[2][3] featuring an unhosted rotation ofmusic videos. The show was often credited as being the precursor toMTV,[1]Video Concert Hall was reportedly the most popular programming onQUBE, acable television unit ofWarner Communications.VCH, as it was often called, was created by radio and cable television executive Lloyd G. Crowe (Jerry Crowe) andCharles W. Henderson, a journalist who would later work forTriStar Pictures.[4][5][6]Video Concert Hall was produced by Henderson-Crowe Productions and the company Video Concert Hall, Ltd. at studios in Atlanta, Georgia. Crowe and Henderson served as executive producers ofVideo Concert Hall, as well as other top-ratedsyndicated musical variety TV specials. It is also where artists such asThe Police (with Sting),Split Enz, andGary Numan were first introduced to the American audienceen masse.
Billboard said in a cover story thatVideo Concert Hall was the first-ever nationwide video music programming on cable television, predating MTV by almost three years.[4][6]Video Concert Hall creators Charles Henderson and Jerry Crowe are considered the "fathers" of television's music video programming.[4][7]
Video Concert Hall ran daily on USA Network from 1978 to 1981 on a seemingly arbitrary schedule, appearing on early morning, daytime, late night, and early evening timeslots alike for durations ranging from one to four hours.Video Concert Hall was also carried on Showtime,[2][3] theSatellite Program Network – SPN, and was seen worldwide onAFRTS (the Armed Forces Network) and frequently as video entertainment on commercialairline flights.
Video Concert Hall was also among the first advertising supported cable TV networks.[3]Video Concert Hall was cited as among cable's 15 leading for-profit services inFortune magazine's 1981 Fortune 500 issue.[3]
The theme music forVideo Concert Hall was the first thirty seconds of "Carouselambra" byLed Zeppelin.
Specific to no particular pop music genre,Video Concert Hall featurednew wave music,punk rock,disco,funk,soul, andalbum-oriented rock.
