MTV (Music Television) is an American cable television network based in New York City. Launched in 1981, the original purpose of the channel was to show music videos, as well as other music news and events. Today, MTV broadcasts a variety of music, pop culture, youth culture and reality television shows aimed at adolescents and young adults. MTV is owned by Viacom Media Networks (formerly MTV Networks), the television division of Viacom, which also owns other networks, including VH1 and Nickelodeon.
In recent years, MTV had struggled with the secular decline of music-related cable media. MTV ratings had been said to be failing systematically, as younger viewers increasingly shift towards digital media, with yearly ratings drops as high as 29%; thus there was doubt of the lasting relevance of MTV towards young audiences. In April 2016, MTV announced it would start to return to its original music roots with the reintroduction of the classic MTV series MTV Unplugged. It was also reported that the series MTV Cribs would be making a return on Snapchat, with 14 original music-related shows speculated to be in production.
MTV has spawned numerous sister channels in the US and affiliated channels internationally, some of which have gone independent. As of July 2015, approximately 92,188,000 US households (79.2% of households with television) have received MTV.
From 2015 to 2016, the network was the home of the Scream series for the first two seasons. Starting from the third season onward, the series will air on VH1.
TV Shows[]
The following shows are currently airing, will air, or have aired on MTV throughout the years:
- Teen Mom - 2009 to 2012
- Catfish: The TV Show - Since 2012
- Real World - Since 1992
- Awkward - 2011 to 2016
- Teen Wolf - 2011 to 2017
- Are you the One? - Since 2014
- Jersey Shore - 2009 to 2012
- The Hills - 2006 to 2010
- Beavis and the Butthead - 1993 to 2011
- Daria - 1997 to 2002
- Scream (TV Series) - 2015 to 2016 (moved to VH1)
- The Challenge - Since 1998
- Teen mom 2 - Since 2011
- Faking it - 2014 to 2016
- Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County - 2004 to 2006
- Ridiculousness - Since 2011
- 16 and Pregnant - Since 2009
- Punk'd - 2003 to 2012
- Mary + Jane - Since 2016
- True Life - Since 1998
- MTV Unplugged - Since 1989
- MTV Cribs - 2000 to 2011
- Total Request Live - 1998 to 2008
- Wild n' Out - 2005 to 2007
- Girl Code - Since 2013
- Finding Carter - 2014 to 2015
- My Super Sweet 16 - Since 2005
- Jackass - 2000 to 2002