If you grew up in the '90s or early 2000s, chances are you’ve stumbled upon one of those iconic "Now That's What I Call Music" infomercials. You know the ones: a booming voice, flashy graphics, and a promise to cram the hottest hits of the moment onto a single CD or cassette. But when did this musical madness actually start? And when did it finally stop? Buckle up, because this trip down memory lane is about to get loud, hilarious, and maybe a little bit nostalgic.
The Birth of the "Now That's What I Call Music" Infomercials
The "Now That's What I Call Music" series actually kicked off in the UK in 1983, but the infomercials that made it a household name in the US didn’t start popping up until the early 1990s. The first US "Now" album dropped in 1998, and with it came the infomercials that screamed at you to buy the latest collection of chart-topping hits. These ads were everywhere—on late-night TV, during Saturday morning cartoons, and even sneaking into your favorite soap operas.
What made these infomercials so damn effective? They combined the power of nostalgia, the allure of “all the hits in one place,” and a voiceover that sounded like it was narrated by a caffeinated auctioneer. The ads promised you the freshest pop, rock, and hip-hop tracks without the hassle of buying individual albums or singles. For music lovers who didn’t want to shell out a fortune or deal with the headache of multiple CDs, this was a godsend.
Why Did These Infomercials Work So Damn Well?
Convenience: One CD, multiple hits. No more flipping through endless albums.
Affordability: Usually cheaper than buying all the singles separately.
Curated Content: The albums were carefully selected to include the biggest hits.
Catchy Voiceovers: The announcers were loud, fast, and impossible to ignore.
Limited Time Offers: The infomercials often pushed urgency with phrases like “Call now!” or “Don’t miss out!”
The infomercials became a cultural phenomenon, and for a while, it seemed like every household had at least one "Now That's What I Call Music" CD lying around, gathering dust or blasting through speakers.
The Peak and The Decline
By the early 2000s, these infomercials were at their peak. The series was churning out volumes faster than you could say “boy band breakup.” But then, the digital revolution hit like a ton of bricks. With the rise of iTunes, Spotify, and other streaming platforms, the idea of buying a physical CD with a bunch of hits suddenly felt about as relevant as dial-up internet.
The infomercials started to fade away. People didn’t want to wait for a CD to arrive in the mail when they could stream any song instantly. Plus, the rise of YouTube and music piracy made it easier to get your fix without spending a dime. The last "Now That's What I Call Music" infomercial aired sometime in the early 2010s, quietly bowing out as the world moved on to digital playlists and on-demand music.
What Happened to the Series After the Infomercials?
The "Now" series didn’t die with the infomercials. It adapted. The brand shifted focus to digital releases and streaming playlists. They still drop new volumes, but now you can find them on Spotify, Apple Music, and other platforms. The physical CDs are more of a collector’s item or a nostalgic throwback than a necessity.
The infomercials, though? They’re a relic of a simpler time when music discovery was a bit more... loud and obnoxious. But damn, they worked.
Why We Still Love "Now That's What I Call Music"
Even though the infomercials have disappeared, the brand still holds a special place in the hearts of music fans. Here’s why:
Nostalgia: For many, these compilations are a time capsule of their youth.
Discovery: They introduced listeners to new artists and genres.
Convenience: Even today, curated playlists save time and effort.
Cultural Impact: The phrase itself has become part of pop culture.
If you want to relive the glory days, you can still find old infomercial clips on YouTube. Just be prepared for that classic voiceover that sounds like it’s yelling directly into your soul.
Wrapping It Up
The "Now That's What I Call Music" infomercials started in the US around 1998 and faded out by the early 2010s. They were loud, fast, and impossible to ignore, perfectly capturing the spirit of the times. While the infomercials are gone, the brand lives on in digital form, proving that good music compilations never really die—they just change format.
So next time you hear that booming voice or see a "Now" album, remember: it’s not just a collection of songs. It’s a slice of music history wrapped in a loud, cheesy, and totally unforgettable package. If you want to dive back into those days, dust off that old CD player(if you were smart enough to keep yours) or hit up a streaming service. The hits are still waiting.
