With "Total Request Live" ending, this subject got me thinking. If you were in control of MTV, what would have to be done in order for the network to successfully reclaim its edge and reverence? The solution simply can't be "well, they need to play more videos" or they need to star airing "Beavis & Butt-Head" reruns.

i'd make it consist solely of music between the medieval and romantic periods. performances and such. i don't care that only about 4% of the population would ever tune in.

They should certainly change their name to something more appropriate to their current mission. I would suggest TUN, The Totally Useless Network, or VRSN, Vapid Reality Show Network... :lol: Seriously, the network is so far off its original mission statement, it no longer has any social significance.

24/7 HEADBANGERS BALL!!!!!!!!!
:rock: :guitar: :guitar: :rock:

It's called MTV for a reason it's suppose to be Music Television. They hardly ever play any music and when they do it's always usually mainstream or pre teen crap! Play some real music for a change. Make people want to watch by having cool VJ's like back in the day with Downtown Julie Brown and Curt Loder. I really don't think there is anything they can do to make it better. I think there must be different people in charge than when it first started. :rolleyes:

Tom Freston was one of the idiots that ruined MTV. He even went so far as to boldly state that Nobody cares about our history. Judging from the comments I've read on youtube and other sites, This apparently isn't the case. I'd love for MTV to rerun some of their original stuff like Headbanger's Ball, The Basement Tapes along with footage of the 5 original VJ's, Mark Goodman, Alan Hunter, Nina Blackwood, Martha Quinn and the late JJ Jackson. They were the original and best and MTV was never the same without them. Kennedy, Downtown Julie Brown, Carson Daly, Pauly Shore, Jesse Camp etc... ruined what use to be a great channel. Luckily I recorded a lot of the early stuff so I can watch it anytime I want but it would be great to see it again because there's still a few videos that I need.

Best way to improve MTV


Get rid of it.

Own the fact that the original channel is no longer focused on music. Rename the original channel to better reflect its programming (anything referencing teens or young Americans would work). I'd also make the schedule more consistent...put shows on at certain timeslots and keep them there. Not random marathons of this and out-of-the-blue airings of that. MTV has a lot of interesting programming that isn't about music, and I hate to see those truly good shows (in my opinion at least) get trashed on because they aren't music-related. And for the love of god, I'd have people come up with more creative "Made" episodes.

Two words: MUSIC VIDEOS!!!! :lol: :lol:

Seriously, get rid of all the reality crap and go back to the music videos!!!! Does anybody even watch MTV for the music anymore? I know I sure don't. It's become irrelevant.

If they want to have shows on their line-up, go with the classics, like Daria, and Beavis, IMO... I could care less about Paris Hilton and her new BFF!!! :lol:

Sell it to the Parents Television Council ... for a buck!!!

I would take all those realiity show disks,put them in a bin and set them ablaze!!

Then I would make MTV as it was in 1983 -- Nonstop GOOD music :)

How would you revive MTV? (https://www.reddit.com/r/popheads/comments/eyiz2r/comment/hrjajou/?utm_source=reddit&utm_medium=web2x&context=3)


Separate MTV from Paramount+ and have it be it’s own standalone app. If someone already subscribes to Paramount+, they could add MTV at a discounted price.

Separate the app into five sections: Music videos, VOD, interactive live streaming, news, and discovery

For VOD, create compelling, original music-centric content. Examples would be Behind the Music (but focusing on newer artists from the past decade like Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, Bad Bunny, Maroon 5, DJ Khalid, etc, instead of from the last 30 years like they’re doing now), Making the Video, FANatic, Diary, Say What? Karaoke, etc. Of course, they could rebrand and rename all these shows for a modern demographic, but the ideas would be the same.

For interactive live streaming, I envision a main live channel accessible within the app that would show music videos along with original programming. Users can then chat amongst themselves within the channel. Perhaps you could even have guest artists show up in the chat. Then, you’d have genre specific channels (i.e. rock, hip-hop, r&b, pop, etc.), also with the ability to chat with other users. Another cool idea would be for users to create their own live music video channels, a la twitch, with guest artists creating their own limited run channels where they could interact with fans. Again, the idea is for it to be interactive, with the ability to customize.

Create a comprehensive on demand music video library that’s organized by genre, artist, etc. and that’s easily accessible, user friendly and intuitive. Users can create and share playlists or access MTV playlists that are curated by humans and not algorithms.

Create a legit MTV News division, with its own section with news articles written by legit music journalists and a weekly video program detailing all the latest in music news (album and tour dates, exclusive interviews, behind the scenes footage, etc) and specials, all accessible live on the main channel as well as on demand the following day.

Create a legit discovery section that doesn’t rely too heavily on algorithms. Have it be curated by people who work in the music industry. Think of the “staff picks” section at Blockbuster. It was curated by people who worked there, and were usually film buffs so you trusted their tastes.

Bring back VJs, who would host music video blocks like 120 Minutes, Yo! MTV Raps, Headbangers Ball, etc. These VJs made it seem like you were hanging out with your cool older brother/sister while they showed you a bunch of cool new music videos, along with information about the artists. They helped create a sort of narrative from the music being shown, along with a “youre in the cool kids club” vibe.

Clever marketing. “I want my MTV” single-handedly saved MTV in the early 80s. Imagine kids seeing ads showing Megan the Stallion, Billie Eilish, Doja Cat, etc all demanding their MTV. Also, bring back those weird/silly bumpers that showed in between commercials. It all helps create a brand around MTV. Remember, in the early days, the creators of MTV saw MTV itself as the main character, not the artists or videos. Since then, MTV has lost its identity. It’s time they reclaim it. Be weird. Be bold. Be creative. Be rebellious.

Either get rid of their tv channel altogether or show videos 24/7 on it. At its core, MTV is a lifestyle brand. Its supposed to convey an image, and currently, the image they’re portraying with 72 hours blocks of Ridiculousness is “out of touch and lame.” No ones going to take them seriously if they’re still considered the Ridiculousness network.

Consolidate all their content, old and new, into the app. Viacom, who owns MTV, has their own app (Paramount+) yet their content is still spread all around the internet. Certain shows, both old and new, cant all be accessed through their app. Some of it is on Hulu, some of it is on Netflix, some of it is only available on TV. I want the entire MTV experience in one place. I don’t want to have to subscribe to another service just to watch certain seasons of Jersey Shore.