MTV to axe UK (and other countries') music channels after almost 30 years
From NME two days ago: https://www.nme.com/news/music/mtv-to-axe-uk-music-channels-after-almost-30-years-3898527
As reported by the BBC, MTV Music, MTV 80s, MTV 90s, Club MTV and MTV Live will all stop broadcasting after December 31, but their flagship channel, MTV HD, will remain on air. It shows reality series, including Naked Dating UK and Geordie Shore.
-snip-
The channel eventually later branched out into original programming with series like Ex On The Beach and Teen Mom UK, and, in 2011, its main channel abandoned music videos altogether. All music programming was directed toward sister stations, with the exception of the annual MTV European Music Awards, which is currently on ice.
Paramount put a pause on the event earlier this year as it pursued a merger with entertainment company Skydance Media. While a deal was aproved back in July, no decision about the fate of futures EMAs has been reached.
Paramount is also expected to close MTV music channels in countries including Australia, Poland, France and Brazil, according to media reports in those countries. News of the soon to be axed music video channels follows MTV temporarily bringing back round-the-clock music videos ahead of this year’s VMAs.
= new reply since forum marked as read
When they first introduced The Real World and Road Rules I watched a couple seasons, and they were kind of interesting, but you could see as it went on they were pushing and pushing to amp up the drama, conflict and sleaze. I think VH-1 stuck with music awhile longer, but they eventually moved to reality programming, too.
What I never understood was why. For networks like ABC/CBS/NBC, obviously reality programming was a lot cheaper than the scripted comedies and dramas that had filled their schedules. But if your programming is music videos 24/7, isn’t that essentially FREE programming? The videos are made by the music companies to promote their artists. Even the cheapest low-rent reality shows cost more to produce than simply playing videos someone else paid for.
... I did not know!
