MTV to axe UK (and other countries') music channels after almost 30 years

[tanyev]

1. I would still be watching MTV now if they'd kept to the music video format.

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.