MTV finds success with a more serious beat

If asked to associate a genre of programming with U.S. music cabler MTV, most people would probably mention fast-paced videos or popular reality series such as The Real World, and not insightful docs that deal with the complex issues facing today's youth. But, things change. While MTV is not about to abandon its rock and roll roots (The Osbournes, an MTV reality series featuring aging rocker Ozzy Osbourne, recently drew more than11 million viewers to the channel), its more serious fare is resonating with an audience reared on video games and Hollywood car chases.

June 1, 2002

If asked to associate a genre of programming with U.S. music cabler MTV, most people would probably mention fast-paced videos or popular reality series such as The Real World, and not insightful docs that deal with the complex issues facing today's youth. But, things change. While MTV is not about to abandon its rock and roll roots (The Osbournes, an MTV reality series featuring aging rocker Ozzy Osbourne, recently drew more than11 million viewers to the channel), its more serious fare is resonating with an audience reared on video games and Hollywood car chases.