MTV Leaning Back into Music-Based Programming

[The Deadman]

http://www.ign.com/articles/2016/04/...39708033000016

MTV is looking to put music back into its television lineup. Headed by new network president Sean Atkins, MTV (which formerly stopped standing for Music Television a few years back) is turning to new music-based shows to boost its ratings.

Three new shows are currently in the works, including a new version of the network's classic show Unplugged, a hip-hop music competition show produced by Mark Burnett (Survivor, The Voice), and "an L.A.-set live-music series" called Wonderland.

"The thing that kept coming back when I first started this job was, 'Why doesn't MTV do more music?" Atkins told LA Times. "Music is our muse, our spirit animal. And it's a great muse to have. So we're leaning into it."

Unplugged—which could air in "coming months"—will "take the attributes that made 'Unplugged' such a success for so many years and reimagine them for 2016." Erik Flannigan, executive vice president of music at MTV, said fans won't see "carpets and candles" this time around.

Burnett's hip-hop show will reportedly mix Shark Tank with The Voice, while Wonderland will feature "the best new music" and "young comedic talent."

Atkins is wary of striking a balance between music and non-music programming. According to LA Times, he's "set out to find as much music programming as possible."

And there are more shows in the works: Year One will set out to document "a superstar's early days," and Studio 24—produced by Justin Bieber and manager Scooter Braun—will pair an artist and celebrity with the task of creating a song in 24 hours.

Non-music programming will still be vital to the network, however. MTV announced yesterday that scripted fantasy series The Shannara Chronicles has been renewed for Season 2.

Inb4 the only music they ever play is rap and dubstep, because that's what caters to the kids these days.

[Slade]

Well hopefully it isn't too late and works out for them.

[Krutch]

Originally Posted by The Deadman

[url]Inb4 the only music they ever play is rap and dubstep, because that's what caters to the kids these days.

Is dubstep still a thing? Man, I'm so out of touch these days...