MTV Plans 16 New Reality Shows
By Wyatt Earp | December 20, 2008
Former MTV vixen Kari Wuhrer
Here’s an idea: Maybe they can play, oh I don’t know . . . MUSIC VIDEOS!
In trying to keep its hold on young and fickle audiences, MTV over the decades has undergone some fundamental programming shifts, but never before on this scale.
The cabler’s recent ratings declines include a 23% fourth-quarter drop in its core demo of 12- to 34-year-olds. So MTV is embarking on a major programming overhaul, with 16 new unscripted series over the next 4½ months.
You know what might help? PLAYING MUSIC VIDEOS!!
The series come from high-profile producers including Sean Combs, Matt Parker & Trey Stone, Donald Trump and Nick Lachey. And they represent a major thematic shift for the channel — more toward the meta-scripted reality of MTV’s “The Hills,” one of the cabler’s few success stories these days.
While MTV pioneered reality series with 1992’s “The Real World,” that genre has become ubiquitous, so the network is offering a slate that avoids the backbiting and bitchery of most nonfiction fare. (H/T - Drudge)
Again, I am not a network executive, but it would seem that the key to Music Television’s success would be . . . PLAYING VIDEOS!!!
But hey, do what you want.
Topics: WTF? |
December 20th, 2008 at 1:10 pm
At least when Court TV radically shifted their programing style, they changed their name to reflect their new status. Maybe MTV needs to stop calling themselves a music network.
December 20th, 2008 at 1:37 pm
It still astounds me how somebody could possibly think people would be interested in any one of 16 additional reality shows. Haven’t they got the message that they left the reservation more or less after Survivor and The Amazing Race? There have been a very few decent reality shows since the fad started years ago.
Oh, who am I kidding? The guys at MTV and VH1 in particular left the reservation years ago when they stopped showing just music videos.
December 20th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
Did they ever think the 23% drop is BECAUSE they don’t play any videos??
Then again, Wyatt, have you listened to what 18-34 year olds call “music?”
December 20th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
The M isn’t for music, it’s for Money, which the company desperately needs.
December 20th, 2008 at 4:51 pm
I know that I’m going to take flak for this but:
Bring back Beavis and Butthead
December 20th, 2008 at 5:50 pm
Marvin - How about “Mediocre Television?”
Morgan - Their WWE reality show “Tough Enough” was very good. After that? Not so much.
Trek - Some people call it “rap.” I add a “C” at the beginning. At least Run DMC had talent. The acts today blow goats.
Mox - I saw their ratings. Sad, even for cable.
Jon - No argument here. I friggin’ loved that show!
December 20th, 2008 at 7:18 pm
I left MTV when they stopped music videos, but they didn’t notice, they were selling too much to the really brain dead.
December 21st, 2008 at 7:48 am
Yay Jon! I second that!
December 21st, 2008 at 8:32 am
Earl - Doesn’t matter. Even when they did play videos, it was usually rap and hip-hop. *gag*
GroovyVic - Great, great show!
December 22nd, 2008 at 11:11 pm
RAP = Radio Air Pollution