MTV is bringing back its golden age by launching a new Classic channel that will be dedicated to their 1990’s and early 2000’s programming.
Who doesn’t remember the incessant stupidity Beavis and Butthead, the monotone and cynical Daria, the defender of the Jungle Queen The Maxx, and the amazing and historic performances that MTV Unplugged produced. These shows, along with many others, influenced and entertained generations of people. MTV is currently planning on rebranding its VH1 Classic channel as MTV Classic by August 1st that will rain down nostalgia upon its current and former viewers. The company has stated that MTV Classic will be “an eclectic mix of fan-favorite MTV series and music programming drawn from across its rich history, with a special focus on the 1990s and early 2000s.”
August 1st also holds a special significance for MTV, being the date that MTV first launched in 1981. According to RollingStone, on top of launching the channel, MTV will also be commemorating its 35th anniversary by replicating the channels original first hour of programming in 1981 on MTV Classic. MTV will also provide fans with “MTV Hour One” a live stream of the first hour via MTV’s Facebook page.
This decision by the network comes in the wake of a recent move to rebrand MTV’s image, after suffering a drop of 8% amongst viewers between the age of 18 and 49. The company is attempting to adapt to the changing tide of the entertainment industry by focusing more on apps and its online presence and taking advantage of platforms such as podcasts. MTV is making a smart move by adapting to modern times and appealing to audiences by bringing back content that was not only succesful, but has lingered in the minds of many and still holds a great bit of appeal and replay value. Hopefully this new move can undue the image MTV created for itself with shows such as Jersey Shore, 16 and Pregnant, and Teen Mom, but some bad tastes linger forever.
MTV Classic will look air reruns of shows like Total Request Live, The Maxx, Beavis and Butthead, Daria, The Maxx, Pimp my Ride, Aeon Flux, Jackass, Punk’d, and will have weekend marathons of shows like Real world and Laguna Beach. The channel will also air the most memorable of its MTV Unplugged performances, including artist such as Nirvana, Bob Dylan, and Erykah Badu.