MTV originally was a music block on ABC TV in the Kansai area from 1984 to 1988, then it became a block on Tokyo Broadcasting System, Japan's largest commercial television station, in the Kanto area from 1988 to 1992.

Broadcast began on CS Analog and Skyport services, with PerfecTV!

As a result, the channel has drawn criticism from proponents of the older MTV Japan.

However, in March 2006 the network drew 6,000,000 viewers, making the channel second to Space Shower TV and an overall financial success.

In August 2006, MTV Japan was made a complete subsidiary of MTV Networks and again made a complete subsidiary of Viacom International Media Networks on December 1, 2014.

MTV Japan broadcasts varieties of programs, Unlike its American counterpart, MTV Japan tends to broadcast music videos rather than reality television or music-related programs and it also displays shows from the American counterpart or the channel, such as The Hills, Laguna Beach, etc.