How MTV Handled Accusations of Racism and Became More Inclusive

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Despite Jackson’s presence on MTV through 1986, the network faced allegations of racism for giving scant airtime to videos featuring people of color. MTV executives have denied that racism was at the root of the network’s “blackout,” saying that Black artists received little airplay because their music didn’t fit the channel’s rock-based format. source

• Network’s Justification: MTV executives argued that their programming was rock-oriented, and there were “few Black rock artists” whose music fit the channel’s initial format. Co-founder Les Garland and programming director Buzz Brindle emphasized that the limitation was due to genre, not explicit racial exclusion.

• MTV’s inclusivity journey reflects a convergence of external pressure, internal advocacy, and changing audience demographics. By combining strategic programing adjustments, high-profile artist partnerships, and leadership diversification, MTV gradually became more inclusive, integrating Black artists into mainstream programming while continuing to navigate public criticism and cultural expectations.