MCM (TV channel)
| File:MCM logo 2017.svg Logo used since 2017 | |
| Company type | Television channel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music television |
| Founded | 1989 |
| Founder | Europe 1 Communication and Télé Monte-Carlo |
| Headquarters | France |
Area served | France, Belgium, Switzerland (originally), Thailand (2001–2003) |
| Owner | Groupe M6 |
| Website | www |
MCM—initially known as Monte-Carlo Musique and later renamed Ma Chaîne Musicale—is a French television channel specializing in music videos and entertainment, owned by Groupe M6. It was launched in 1989 by Europe 1 Communication, modeled after MTV, originally airing as a programming segment on the Monegasque broadcaster TMC.
Between 2001 and 2003, MCM was also available in Thailand through a local licensee, Broadcast Network Thailand (UBC), showcasing alternative and electronic music genres with bilingual video jockeys.
History
During the 1980s, the French audiovisual landscape underwent major transformations with the emergence of private broadcasters like Canal+, La Cinq, and TV6. Regional private stations such as TMC and RTL Télévision encountered heightened competition for advertising revenue.
By 1987, TMC was facing difficulties due to a limited program lineup and investor challenges. The newly established M6 channel aimed to extend its reach in southern France by utilizing TMC’s transmitter infrastructure but ended this collaboration in July 1989 after deploying its own transmitters.
On 1 July 1989, Télé Monte-Carlo introduced “Monte-Carlo Musique” (MCM Euromusique), a music-focused schedule developed with Europe 1 Communication. It broadcast throughout the day, reserving evenings for TMC’s own programming. This restructuring allowed MCM to expand its distribution via cable and satellite across France, Belgium, and Switzerland (utilizing the D2-MAC standard on TDF satellites), making it the sole French music channel following TV6’s shutdown.
TMC contributed significantly to producing musical content by offering facilities for affordable filmed performances and video clips, often providing artists with their initial television exposure. Inspired by the success of Des Clips et des Claps, MCM was conceived as a French equivalent to MTV, co-created by Europe 1 Communication and Télé Monte-Carlo, with Valérie Payet serving as its inaugural presenter.
Initially, MCM’s clip library was supplemented by early video sequences from TMC at a time when dedicated music videos were scarce. Starting in June 1990, MCM also broadcast through local stations in Lyon and Toulouse under similar arrangements.
MCM originally transmitted free-to-air via D2 Mac satellite technology but encountered technical obstacles competing with English-language MTV Europe.
In 1992, Lagardère SCA transformed MCM into a fully dedicated music channel on the new Canalsatellite platform, ceasing broadcasts on TMC and TLM. The acronym was then redefined as Ma Chaîne Musicale. The channel faced substantial financial deficits early on: losses amounted to 23 million francs in 1992 and 19.4 million francs in 1993.
The launch of MCM Africa occurred in 1994; however, it was sold in 2002 to Alliance Trace Media and rebranded as Trace TV.
In January 2000, Lagardère and Canal+ established a digital television partnership whereby Canal+ acquired a 49% stake in Lagardère’s channels portfolio, including MCM.
MCM broadened its offerings with MCM 2 in 2001, catering to audiences nostalgic for music from the ’80s and ’90s. A Belgian variant debuted in 2002 but ceased operations in 2009. In November 2003, MCM 2 was rebranded as MCM Pop, while MCM Top targeted younger demographics aged 15–24 featuring international programming and anime content.
In January 2005, due to regulatory decisions, Lagardère Active and Groupe Canal+ dissolved their cross-shareholdings; consequently, Lagardère consolidated ownership of its thematic channels. The group subsequently launched its digital project under the name Europe 2 TV later that year.
By 2013, the CSA approved repositioning of MCM’s content focus toward males aged between 15 and 34 years.
Starting from 2015, MCM incorporated American adult animated series from Fox such as Family Guy and Futurama. Previously, it had aired seasons of Robot Chicken between 2006 and 2013. Anime titles were phased out by late 2017; instead, newer animated shows like Bob's Burgers (2017) and American Dad! (2018) were introduced. Additionally, MCM simulcast recent seasons of these series in their original language accompanied by subtitles.
In 2019, Lagardère Active divested its television assets including MCM to Groupe M6 for €215 million. Following this acquisition, sister channel Elle Girl TV was discontinued with select programming transferred to MCM.
By 2020, MCM resumed reruns of popular series such as Pokémon and One Piece. However, by 2023 adult animation was removed from both MCM and other Groupe M6 channels. Presently, MCM concentrates primarily on musical content like La Zone, which features urban music alongside daytime reruns of Groupe M6 series including This Is Us, MacGyver (2016 TV series), plus telefilms during evenings and weekends.
Logos
Since its inception in 1989, the channel has undergone seven distinct logo changes: initially from 1989 to 1991, then from 1991 to 1998, followed by versions used between 1998 and 2001, 2001 to 2005, 2005 to 2007, 2007 to 2017, and the current design introduced in 2017.
The digital on-screen graphic appeared in the upper left corner from 1990 until 1995, after which it was relocated to the upper right corner and has remained there since.