Final answer:
MTV faced criticism early on for not featuring music videos by black artists. This was seen as exclusionary and reflective of racial inequalities in the music industry. Eventually, MTV diversified its programming to include artists of all racial backgrounds.
Step-by-step explanation:
MTV came under heavy criticism in its early years primarily because only videos by white artists were played, and black artists were largely ignored. This criticism is rooted in a broader context of societal issues and the evolving landscape of the music industry during that period.
Initially, MTV was criticized for not showcasing a diverse array of artists. Given the significant impact of black musicians on American culture and music throughout the 20th century, MTV's exclusion was seen as a perpetuation of racial inequalities. The network's focus was mainly on artists that appealed to a predominantly white audience, with executives claiming that black music did not fit the rock-centric format MTV initially promoted.
However, the exclusion of black artists from early MTV playlists did not persist. Cultural shifts and demands from music audiences eventually led to the inclusion of black musicians' videos on the channel. Artists like Michael Jackson broke these barriers, with his album 'Thriller' and its groundbreaking music videos becoming a defining moment for the network. The promotion of artists regardless of race coincided with broader social changes, such as the increasing visibility of black figures in other media platforms and growing recognition of genres like R&B and Hip-Hop, reflecting MTV's eventual embrace of a more inclusive strategy that resonated with the youth of all backgrounds.