Music Choice
For Music Choice in United Kingdom, see Music Choice Extra
Music Choice is a name used by two different companies, one in the US and one in Europe. Both companies provide similar services but through recent corporate maneuvering have become separate entities (they were once the same company).
Music Choice US is a U.S. company that programs music and produces music-related content for digital cable, cell phones, and cable modem subscribers in the US. Music Choice programs dozens of audio music channels for digital cable subscribers, as well as programs and produces music-related content for on-demand customers with access to Music Choice On-Demand. Music Choice also offers video and audio music programming for cell phone customers through Sprint and Cingular.
Many digital cable companies carry Music Choice, namely Comcast, Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks. Music Choice is available in over 99% of digital cable homes nationwide and via satellite by GlobeCast World TV on Galaxy 25. DirecTV discontinued Music Choice on November 15, 2005, and now offers XM Satellite Radio channels. Other companies provide similar services, such as Muzak and DMX Music. In Summer 2006, Music Choice revamped their appearance and added new graphics and new backgrounds for digital cable.
As of August 2007, MusicChoice.com is offering members the ability to create a large number of stations based on the genre of their choice. The genres available are either the stations normally offered or subgenres thereof (e.g. 70s or its subgenres disco, 70s R&B, etc).
History
Music Choice was launched by David del Beccaro as Digital Cable Radio in 1990. Development had begun prior to this in 1987, and had been test marketed with 8 channels originally. After launch, the service offered 19 channels. The original service was developed by and used with equipment manufactured by General Instruments, under its Jerrold brand. A separate decoder box exclusively for the Digital Cable Radio service was used which would connect to home stereo equipment. The on-screen graphics were not originally a part of the service, and were added later, as the digital audio decoding was integrated into video cable converter equipment.
List of channels (according to website)
Classical
Country
Dance
- Dance
- Electronica-uncensored
Inspirational
Instrumentals
Jazz & Blues
Latin
Pop
- Adult Top 40
- '70s
- '80s
- '90s
- Hit List
- Party Favorites (up-tempo music)
- Lite Hits
- Solid Gold Oldies
Rock
- Adult Alternative
- Alternative- uncensored
- Arena Rock
- Classic Rock
- Metal- uncensored
- Retro-Active
- Rock- uncensored
Urban
- Classic R&B
- Hip-Hop and R&B
- R&B Hits
- Rap- uncensored
- R&B Soul
Variety
- Big Band & Swing
- Kidz Only! (music for pre-teens and younger teenagers; replaced Radio Disney)
- Reggae
- Showcase, features blocks of:
- Old School Rap- uncensored
- Classic Disco
- Sounds of the Seasons (Christmas music, patriotic music, etc)
Vocal/Theatrical
Not on Website