Owned by media giant Viacom, MTV or Music Television is a cable television channel that started out purely showing music videos. Its original mission has evolved over time to represent and help shape popular and youth culture. Now the channel airs a variety of shows, including many reality TV shows.

The original MTV channel is operated by MTV Networks, which also airs several related channels. MTV, VH1 and CMT, the main music channels form the anchor of MTV Networks. The Viacom subsidiary also operates Nickelodeon, Comedy Central and Logo. MTV Networks exports over 120 channels around the world. In addition, MTV Networks and sister company Paramount Pictures sells content on the Internet. MTV Networks also develops video games.http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=1028234

The MTV Video Music Awards 2010 aired live on September 12, 2010. Chelsea Handler hosted the show. Lady Gaga was the overall winner, bagging eight of the thirteen awards she was nominated for.http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/2010/

Jersey Shore is a reality show about eight 20-somethings living in a vacation house on the New Jersey Shore (or in Miami, Florida for the second season). This show has proven to be a breakout hit for MTV, topping their ratings as well as the ratings of all other cable television shows.http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/blogs/kevin_clapp_jersey_shore/article_685aa08a-bd1e-11df-a2df-001cc4c03286.htmlhttp://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/10/15/thursday-cable-ratings-jersey-shore-still-down-from-highs-but-still-highest-its-always-sunny-the-league-project-runway-more/68231

The program has been seen as controversial, as the self-proclaimed "Guido" stars of the show display heavy drinking and promiscuous sexual conduct, offending some Italian-Americans. Many believe that the term "Guido" is an insult, although the Jersey Shore cast repeatedly use the term to refer to themselves. Domino's Pizza reportedly pulled out their ads from Jersey Shore airings as a result of the negative images and connotations.http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1947338,00.html

• 1981: MTV begins broadcasting.http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=20010731&slug=mtv31
• 1984: The inaugural MTV Video Music Awards is held.http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=20010731&slug=mtv31
• 1992: Reality show "The Real World" premieres.http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=20010731&slug=mtv31
• 1993: "Beavis and Butt-head" TV-14 cartoon show debuts.http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=20010731&slug=mtv31
• 2004: Reality show "Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County" launches.http://www.realitytvworld.com/news/mtv-laguna-beach-real-orange-county-reality-soap-launching-tuesday-september-28-2941.php
• 2006: "Laguna Beach" spin-off "The Hills" launches.http://thehillsblog.com/2006/05/
• 2009: Reality show "Jersey Shore" begins.http://www.televisionwithoutpity.com/goingthroughchannels/2009/12/thursday-december-3-2009-jerse.php

• MTV
• MTV2
• MtvU
• MTV Tr3s
• VH1
• VH1 Classic
• VH1 Soul
• CMT
• Logo
• Nickelodeon
• Nick at Nite
• Noggin
• The N
• COMEDY CENTRAL
• TV Land
• Spike TV
• Atom
• AddictingGames.com
• Shockwave.com
• GameTrailers.com
• Harmonix
• Neopets
• Quizilla
• Xfire
• Y2M
• MTVN International http://www.linkedin.com/companies/mtv-networks