In the fall of 1972, Kirshner was asked by ABC Television to serve as executive producer and "creative consultant" for their new "In Concert" series, which aired every other week in the 11:30 p.m. slot normally showing "The Dick Cavett Show". The following September, Kirshner left "In Concert" to produce and host his own syndicated weekly rock-concert program called "Don Kirshner's Rock Concert". With its long-form live performances, as compared to rehearsed, often lip-synced performances that were the staple of earlier television shows like "Shindig!", it was a new direction for pop music presentation. The last show aired in 1981, the year that MTV was launched.