MTV Leaves Music In The Dust

Posted by on Jul 26, 2011 in Entertainment | 4 comments

Hey, MTV! I’m starting a new television channel called RTV. It stands for “Reality Television,” except there will be no reality TV… just music.

I’m only kidding, but that’s about how far MTV has strayed from their original purpose of Music Television since its launch in 1981.

It seems as though the good old days of actually hearing music while flipping past the music television giant have been kicked to the curb by stories of unwed pregnant teens and drunken New Jersey 20-somethings. MTV’s strong start in the world of music and pop culture has since fizzled as it slips into a new role, hosting several controversial and dare I say trashy reality TV shows.

I used to faithfully watch MTV when shows such as TRL (“Total Request Live”) were at their peak. Now, I can’t even remember the last time I have tuned in. The celebrity support MTV used to have appears to be on the decline as well. In 2007 while giving an acceptance speech at the MTV Video Music Awards, Justin Timberlake dared  MTV to “play more damn videos!”

MTV can’t be blamed for trying to keep up with the rapidly evolving technology and culture changes having allowed for additional and easier access to music, but maybe it’s time to realize what once was great no longer is? Not all good things can last forever, right? Or maybe some things are better left unchanged? Maybe MTV should give up the reality TV attempts and go back to the Music Television channel they once were when it all began in the summer of ’81? I know one thing is for sure, MTV isn’t working for me right now. Something’s gotta give.

Do you watch any MTV? Do you agree or disagree with the lack of music on MTV? What changes, if any, do you think they should make?

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  • Anonymous

    The Situation is officially 30. Gross.

  • http://twitter.com/daniellesmyname Danielle Hohmeier

    I wouldn’t agree with the lack of music… just lack of music videos. Yes, there is more emphasis on non-scripted shows (and for the record there’s a lot of original programming now too – RJ Berger, Awkward, Teen Wolf), but during most shows, whenever music plays the name of the song/artists appears on the bottom of the screen. In between every show, a band (often a new, up-and-comer) is featured while the credits roll. And have you seen the new VMA promo with Gaga’s ‘Edge of Glory’ playing? It’s proof that MTV is still making music history every year. 

    Do they need a video block to still be relevent to the music industry?PS: I’m biased (A) bc I still love MTV and (B) I’ve got a past connection there (http://www.atomicdust.com/blog/single/atomicdust-social-media-pro-chosen-for-mtv-tj-contest/). -Danielle

  • Anonymous

    It’s everyone’s favorite argument: why doesn’t MTV play more videos!?! Well, they haven’t played “more videos” for about a decade now and have had some of the most successful programming on television and continue to be a staple in pop culture each and every year. Just when you think MTV has hit a plateau with programming along comes The Osbournes, a great season of Real World, or most recently their double-whammy Teen Mom and Jersey Shore. You can debate the ethics of all of these shows all day long, but it doesn’t change the fact that they are super huge mega hits, and that there is a VERY large market out there watching these shows. I think that simple fact is why MTV stands head and shoulders above the competition: they know their audience.

    P.S. They have MTV Hits, MTV 2, MTVU and tons of other accessible channels available for around the clock music coverage for someone who wants more.

    • Mike Keliher

      No one’s arguing MTV is unsuccessful. They’re great at coming up with pop-culture trend-setting shows. What they’re not good at is playing music videos.