FAQs About MTV VJs

MTV is 30 years old and it was the first channel to introduce the public to music videos. It was not only music videos that MTV gave society; it gave them VJs. VJs, or video jockeys, were original TV personalities that introduced music videos, hosted programs, reported the news and entertained everyone who watched them on the channel.

Q: Who were the original MTV VJs?

A: MTV began with five VJs. They were Nina Blackwood, Mark Goodman, Alan Hunter, Martha Quinn and J.J. Jackson.

Q: What characteristics were required of a VJ?

A: A VJ had to have some experience either in broadcast, journalism, radio or television. If no direct experience in those fields existed, a few previous VJs entered with just a degree in said fields. A VJ had to have charisma and a uniqueness that made listening to them and watching them exciting for the audience, just like with any other industry involving personalities in the public eye.

Q: Are VJs still on MTV?

A: Unfortunately, the VJ was phased out as MTV started playing fewer videos and more TV and reality shows. The popularity of the Internet also influenced this decision. As of 2008, the videos went down to six hours, and all shows that required VJ hosting ended. Any music-related programs were sent to its sister stations, MTV 2 and VH1 Classic. Music videos are also watched on their official website. VJs occasionally return for specials on the station and still do a few interviews on MTV’s website, but the original purpose of the VJ is just a memory now.