In the beginning, M2's programmers were given full, unrestricted access to MTV's entire video library, as well as exclusive "first use" of videos from new bands, and treated M2 like an independent or college radio station. This unprecedented mandate gave programmers the freedom to showcase obscure and/or emerging artists, as well as the chance to air seldom-seen, and never-seen videos languishing in the vaults. Much thought and effort went into how videos were programmed, very often with specific, off-beat themes that explored connections between genres of music, years/eras, song titles; or connections between the videos themselves (e.g. the director Spike Jonze), visual effects, etc. Programming blocks were sometimes filled with a band or singer's entire video collection shown in chronological order (such as "Smashing Pumpkins Videography"). M2 often invited musicians to hand-pick blocks of their favorite videos, then appear on air as a "guest VJ" to introduce and explain their choices (which would eventually be known as "Artist Collections").