Heavy metal, make way for the family hour. From high atop a Houston skyscraper, Hit Video USA is beaming 10 hours of G-rated music videos daily to 57 TV stations. The 4 1/2-year-old venture, which screens out obscenity and lewdness, is establishing its niche in a booming business.

"There have been several attempts to compete with MTV, but we're the only ones still around to talk about it," boasts president Connie Wodlinger. She and three assistants preview 50 videos each week before selecting the eight to 10 that they will air. Among the favorite artists: Bobby Brown and New Kids on the Block. "We're a less bizarre, more palatable brand of music," Wodlinger says. "There is a good, positive response from parents." Her biggest market may lie overseas, where Hit Video USA has signed licensing deals with stations or cable systems in 20 countries, including Japan, Israel, Bulgaria and Burkina Faso.