Monopoly Television: Mtv's Quest To Control The Music (Critical Studies in Communication & in the Cultural Industries) [Paperback]

Jack Banks (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 10, 1996 | ISBN-10: 0813318211 | ISBN-13: 978-0813318219

In August 1981, Music Television—now popularly known as MTV—was launched. Within a matter of years it revitalized a struggling record industry; made the careers of leading pop stars like Madonna, Boy George, Cyndi Lauper, and Duran Duran; infiltrated traditional network television and the movie industry; revolutionized the advertising industry; and stimulated purchases in several markets, most notably fashion apparel. The reach of MTV has proven long and profitable. In this book, Jack Banks examines the historical development of music video as a commodity and analyzes the existing structures within which music video is produced, distributed, and exhibited on its premier music channel, MTV.Who controls MTV? What part do record companies play in the financing and production of music video? How do the power brokers in the business affect the ideological content of music video? Given the tight sphere of influence within the music industry, what are the future trends for music video and for artistic freedom of expression? Banks tackles these questions in an intelligent, lively, and sophisticated investigation into one of the most influential media enterprises of our society.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Jack Banks is assistant professor of communication at the University of Hartford.

Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Westview Press (May 10, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0813318211
• ISBN-13: 978-0813318219
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #649,366 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A Let down because didn't cover MTV from the early 70s, November 10, 2011

By 

Paul Johnston, PhD - See all my reviews

This review is from: Monopoly Television: Mtv's Quest To Control The Music (Critical Studies in Communication & in the Cultural Industries) (Paperback)

This was a let down because it didn't cover the guys from Televak Video Corp. who really introduced MTV back in the early 70s who met up with all kinds of problems from industry insiders who tried to keep them out and succeeded keeping it as a monopoly for Warner/Amex Corporation!

1 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring, June 22, 2001

By 

tina b. feldman (West Hartford, Connecticut United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Monopoly Television: Mtv's Quest To Control The Music (Critical Studies in Communication & in the Cultural Industries) (Paperback)

The research behind this look at MTV is solid and groundbreaking...it's a shame the book went out of print..it is timeless.