As MTV prepares for the launch of MTV Studios, it appears that they will be ratcheting up their production schedule and producing programming for potential buyers. For the most part, this new strategy will focus on MTV’s extensive library of content for its teenage and young adult audience. In the near future, MTV Studios will prepare for reboots of past series like Daria, Aeon & Flux, The Real World and Made.
In conjunction with the announcement, Chris McCarthy spoke with Variety and said, “With MTV Studios, we are for the first time ever opening up this vault beyond our own platforms to re-imagine the franchises with new partners.” Later, McCarthy added, “The launch of the studio and the new development commitments mark a continued original-programming investment for MTV. The cable channel has seen significant growth under McCarthy the Viacom exec who added MTV to a portfolio that already included VH1 and Logo. From the beginning of the year through May 27, MTV’s average total primetime viewership in its target 18-34 demo is up 21% from the same period a year earlier.”
In addition to revamping older series, MTV also plans to introduce two new series, The Valley and MTV’s Straight Up Ghosted. The Valley will be what its title suggests it will be. Following in the footsteps of The Hills and Siesta Key, the reality series will follow young adults living in Noagles, Arizona. MTV’s Straight Up Ghosted will also be what its title suggests. The show will allow contestants to confront family, friends and ex significant others about ghosting them via social media and text.
This announcement marks a new era for MTV and its parent company, Viacom. We’ll see how it goes moving forward.
