Deep TV is a show that not many people talk about, but they really should. It was ahead of its time, particularly in the realm of online video editing. While online videos weren't around yet, those who've seen an Anime Music Video (AMV) on YouTube might find it owes something to DTV.
DTV was a show that aired in the 1980s. It was unique in that it sometimes aired in half-hour segments, other times as shorter pieces—a perfect filler for the Disney Channel, which had to fill airtime with its own content.
MTV, back then, was all about music videos. Disney saw an opportunity to create their animated music videos cheaply by using popular songs and editing them with clips from Disney’s extensive library. This might sound simple, but with skilled editors, they created remarkable and creative content.
The intros of DTV had an otherworldly vibe, forgoing traditional character introductions. It started without vocals explaining what you were about to see, letting the music and imagery speak for themselves. Songs ranged widely from modern to classical, demanding editors find matching footage, often from memory, making their work all the more impressive.
The editors of DTV, uncredited during regular Disney Channel airings, were finally acknowledged in VHS compilations. Though not all segments were hits, the impressive ones highlighted the editors' deep knowledge of Disney’s media.
Though running from 1984 to 1989, DTV remains a novelty with little representation outside a few VHS releases. It influenced many AMVs and similar edits that merged different media, suggesting its legacy lives on in modern editing techniques. Channels like Mad Dr. Matt on platforms like YouTube have tried to keep its spirit alive.