Reality TV Killed the Video Show

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MTV's flagship music video request show "Total Request Live," or TRL, will come to an end this November after 10 years on the air. Executive producer Dave Sirulnick told USA Today:
We want to close this era of TRL in a big celebratory way, and 10 is a great number. And 10 is the number that TRL counted down every single day for 10 years, and we hit this 10th (anniversary) and we thought, 'You know what? This feels like the right time and let's celebrate it and let's reward it. And let's let it have a little bit of a rest for a minute.' Let it catch its breath! Been working hard — for 10 years!
Yeah, he said that series of half sentences, and yes, US Today printed it. Anyway, this is being reported as the final nail in the coffin for actual music videos on MTV, making way for the station to become a fully fledged reality TV haven. Lots of comments here.

The upside? Well, with so many avenues to distribute music videos online these days, there are more than ever, and especially more indie music videos than ever.

Also, while MTV might not be playing music videos, their reality shows place more independent music per episode than a show playing full length videos. So some indie music is making it's way onto the air, and some songwriters are getting paid broadcast royalties.

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