Music Video Outlets

There are six main music video outlets. These are: 
- Mainstream TV
- Music Channels
- Direct CD/ Special Edition CD/DVD Releases
- Streaming websites
- Artist's Websites
- Downloads

Mainstream TV
Mainstream TV channels are channels 1-5, on which the most popular programmes are shown and that the majority of households have. The viewing count is usually the highest on these channels: BBC1, BBC2, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5, also known as the mainstream channels. Not so much anymore, but definitely a few years ago the most popular music videos would premier and be shown on these mainstream channels. High viewing counts on these channels would mean that the music video would automatically gain more popularity. 

For example, Michael Jackson's 'Thriller' music video was premiered one of these channels (Channel 4), which meant that everyone would be able to view it at some point since these channels were high in popularity. This is obviously good for the artist (especially if they are undiscovered / less well known at the time), the record label and the song since their recognition would significantly increase, however whether people will actually like the content or not is always an option. Videos such as 'Thriller' on channels such as BBC1 or Channel 4 after watershed could also give the chance for the older generation and young adults to view something a little bit more risque that they would not originally be able to see before a certain time. This could also be a disadvantage to showing music videos on mainstream television, as if parents decide to keep their children up past Watershed, not knowing the 'horror' or 'inappropriate' element to the music video's shown, they could then disturb younger viewers who weren't expecting such images on their television screens, therefore leaving the artist negative publicity for 'inappropriate music videos', such as Michael Jackson did after releasing 'Thriller'. Many people thought the video was brilliant and it gained much praise, however many also thought it was offensive, thus meaning Michael had to release a statement of apology to whomever he may had offended and edited a message at the beginning of the video. However, recently, less music videos have been shown on mainstream television, leading to the increase of music videos being shown on music channels.

Music Channels

Music channels have come much more common as they have been produced recently, (MTV first aired in 1981), since Mainstream TV is now more commonly devoted toward the news, soaps, documentaries and drama. Therefore there hasn't been much of a valid reason or much time in an average television schedule to premier a new music video every time a new one comes out, meaning music channels have now become useful. Some example of these are 'MTV Hits', 'The Box', 'Smash Hits!', '4Music', etc. Unlike Mainstream TV, a lot more music videos can be put into one programme, since music is the focal point of these channels. 
For example, instead of the TV schedule being '[new music video], News, [TV drama] and another [new music video]' as it previously was on Mainstream TV, the schedule for Music Channels would be 'UK Top 40', 'This Week's Most Played' and then 'Biggest Songs of the 90's'. This is an advantage because of course, more videos can be shown and having a channel dedicated completely to music would allow the viewer to decide for themselves if they would wanted to watch a soap, or if they would prefer to watch a few music videos, instead of almost having no other alternative, as was previously the case. An example of this is when MTV had a 'Michael Jackson Day', in which they only played videos from the deceased King of Pop shortly after his death. Due to the number of people watching this, a few of Michael Jackson's songs appeared in the charts again, because to a high number of fans watching the music channel and therefore inclined to buy some of the songs they had revisted. This was obviously good for the record label (not so much the artist, as he had died), since recognition on Michael Jackson had been hyped up even more. This just shows how powerful Music Channels can be. 

In addition to this, many people (especially young people) no longer listen to the radio and spend most of their time watching television, therefore will find Music Channels more appealing, thus introducing themselves to new music. A disadvantage to Music Channels, however, could easily be that not all of the video's they show are appropriate to the audience that could be watching, as music channels are not provided with PIN numbers for safety. 
For example Miley Cyrus' 'Wrecking Ball' was shown at around midday when it first premiered. Some music channels issued a warning or disclaimer before showing the video to their audience, however others did not, therefore being extremely inappropriate to those of a younger age who perhaps do not have an adult with them whilst watching. 
This could be negative also for example if some of the audience didn't particularly like the music video, they would have to turn over the channel whenever it came on, therefore decreasing the total number of views that the channel would ordinarily receive, especially if the song wasn't particularly liked by many. In addition to this, the music video and the song itself run a risk of becoming overplayed, therefore giving the audience a sense of boredom whenever it comes on. Also when the song is actually released, if the audience have constantly viewed the music video on a music channel they would be less likely to actually purchase the record, thus not gaining the artist any money

Direct CD / Special Edition CD / DVD Releases
Usually, once an artist releases a single and it enters the charts, the album follows soon after. Of course, releasing the individual single first and then the album after would increase the sales, as those who had previously bought the single could then want to try and listen to the whole album. Having a CD means that all the songs on the track list come in the best quality possible, since they came from the producers themselves as opposed to off YouTube or an illegal MP3 download, where the quality would not be as smooth. 

CD's also happen to be quite expensive, which is good for the artist and their record label due to money but bad for the audience who then buy it. Another issue, particularly before iTunes, was the dilemma of paying for the whole CD but only liking a few of the tracks, therefore a waste of money. However, now, iTunes allows everyone to preview the songs before buying the CD to reduce the chance of the audience not liking most of them after paying and even buying certain songs off the album. Special Edition CD's, such as Leona Lewis' 'Spirit: Deluxe Edition', increase popularity for the artists also. These CD's usually include bonus tracks and sometimes even come with another disk in which holds music video's or behind the scenes footage of the music videos, which allow the audience to have almost a 2 in 1 deal, which is an advantage especially if they enjoy the particular music videos chosen. DVD releases, such as 'Michael Jackson Greatest Hits Vol. I & II' once again bumped up the sales on the individual tracks that were released over 20 years ago due to the high amount of people who bought the DVD's after he had passed away. 
Maintaining sales and chart places even after the artist has died just proves how important DVD releases can be. Having CD's & DVD's of the artist can also be seen as a memorabilia, something to remember the artist by. 

Streaming websites

Streaming websites have become more and more common as technology has advanced. Sites such as YouTube have not only made it easy to access a music video, but has also made it the most popular way of viewing them for the first time. Streaming is free and legal, which gives it easy accessibility to everyone who has the internet. Websites such as YouTube, where you can subscribe to particular artist's channels also means that when a new music video from the particular artist is out, the audience can be alerted straight through an email or notification. For example, I had subscribed to Little Mix's channel on YouTube, then I got an email as soon as her music video for her comeback single 'Move' was released, therefore being one of the first people to ever see it.
 Usually, music video's are on streaming websites before the even hit the music channels, let alone the charts. In addition to this, the music video's can be viewed in High Definition, making the quality of the video and the sound that accompanies it a whole lot more enjoyable. However a disadvantage of this would be that the higher the quality, the longer it takes to load and the more chance the video has of stuttering and freezing. Music videos on streaming websites are also easy to share with other people through social networking sites, therefore increasing popularity of the artist and also the producer of the video itself. Streaming websites have also been made for all sorts of electrical devices, such as Android phones and tablets, which again brings in the easy access. Disadvantages, however, include slow connection in some cases and also the sudden amount of adverts that seem to appear before videos. The majority of these adverts, if they are are only 30 seconds long, the viewer cannot skip, therefore having no choice but to watch them even if they are not interested.   

Artist's websites

Another way to premier new music videos would be from the artist's own websites. The artist would put it straight on as soon as it is released, which then allows the audience to know that the music video is official, since it had been released straight from the source. Many artists websites, such as One Direction's and Lady Gaga's, also include news on the artists themselves, tour dates, new pictures etc. This is good for the audience since they can be kept up to date one what the artist has been up to, which they may have found difficult originally. However, the main problem with having artist's websites is that not many fans look onto artist websites anymore, since any news that they would find out through the website they can now find out through social media, such as Twitter, Facebook, etc. Therefore they are not as popular as they used to be and could also be seen as a waste of money and time, as now there are specific websites dedicated to such things such as tickets and artist information. (Ticketmaster and Wikipedia)


Downloads
There are both legal and illegal downloads for both songs and their music videos. The legal side of downloads for example is iTunes or Spotify. iTunes allows music video downloads in the best quality possible, both free and purchased. If the videos must be purchased, this is good for the artist and the record label, since popularity and sales will increase. Also, if the audience like the video, even if it is free, they are more likely to purchase the song or even the album. 

Illegal downloads however are becoming more and more common, since many people believe that music has become too expensive to download legally. Illegal downloads are fast, easy and obviously free, however the quality cannot be guaranteed as better or just as good as legal downloads. In addition to this, the artist will not get any money whatsoever or even a high viewing count on their videos which means that illegal downloads are good for the audience and bad for the artist, whereas legal downloads can be seen as vice versa.