Founded in 1980 by Ed Steinberg, it was the first company to offer music videos on a subscription basis, and provided a vital channel before the establishment of MTV and other television outlets.
The clubs were also mandated to provide monthly 'response forms' to RockAmerica from which the company produced a video chart, as well as more detailed analysis that could be purchased by marketers.
The first program included videos by artists Madness, XTC, David Bowie, The Flying Lizards, The Ramones and Ian Dury.
[2] In its early days Bob Pittman of MTV based his programming on RockAmerica's chart.
[3] The company remained influential in the 1990s playing a crucial role in breaking the boy band phenomenon.