MTV plans 16 new reality shows

21 December 2008 | 15:12 - By Stefano Boscutti

In trying to keep its hold on young and fickle audiences, MTV over the decades has undergone some fundamental programming shifts, but never before on this scale.

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The cabler's recent ratings declines include a 23% fourth-quarter drop in its core demo of 12- to 34-year-olds.  So MTV is embarking on a major programming overhaul, with 16 new unscripted series over the next four months.  The series come from high-profile producers including Sean Combs, Matt Stone & Trey Parker, Donald Trump and Nick Lachey.  And they represent a major thematic shift for the channel -- more toward the meta-scripted reality of MTV's "The Hills," one of the cabler's few success stories these days.  Which is pretty much exactly what young people don't want to watch.

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117997667.html?categoryid=14&cs=1

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About this Blog

New New Media looks at how our mediascape is exploding to bits. How the latest technology and the internet are changing the way we live, work and play. How the latest media is shaping us all.

Stefano Boscutti is an executive creative director and strategist. He's like a better looking version of Todd Sampson. He also has an abiding faith that stories and wordplay (and not powerpoint presentations) will change the world.

 
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