MTV has announced a return to its original music video format, first debuted in 1981, ahead of the 2025 VMAs. For one week, the network will play exclusively music videos, but there’s a catch. Here are all the details.
Billboard reports that the network will air music videos 24/7, just as it did when MTV first launched on cable television 44 years ago. This programming shift will not only honor the channel’s industry legacy, but it will also be used as a tool to promote the 2025 VMAs.
According to the music publication, music videos will air on the channels MTV2, MTV Live, and MTV Classic. However, the main MTV channel will not be participating in the promotion.
Over 700 music videos will be in rotation throughout the week of programming. Categories include featured artists from the ’80s, ’90s, scary videos, videos with animals, and those featuring celebrity cameos.
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This limited programming also features artists with the most VMA wins, headline-worthy, and the most expensive, craziest, and scandalous videos. Wrapping up the categories are TRL number one hits and a special on the birth of MTV.
ABC News reported that before MTV, artists didn’t need to worry about cultivating a camera-ready image. But with the rise of the music video era, the industry became as focused on appearance and image as it was on the music itself.
By the mid-90s, MTV had drastically cut the hours music videos were on-air, cites The celebrity.land. The shift came due to the channel needing to revamp its video-based formatting as times changed and viewer tastes evolved.
However, during its reign, the channel helped break the careers of artists such as Madonna, Duran Duran, Michael Jackson, Bon Jovi, Britney Spears, Backstreet Boys, and ‘NSYNC. It was a cultural touchstone of an era, and while it’s now more focused on reality-based television, this switch back to its roots will likely thrill viewers who remember the channel’s past relevance.
MTV’s all-music video format begins on Monday, September 1, 2025, and continues for one week. Per MTV, the VMAs are scheduled to air live on Sunday, Sept. 7, at 8 p.m. ET, hosted by LL Cool J. The award show will be broadcast on both CBS and MTV, and will stream on Paramount+
This story was originally reported by Parade on Aug 29, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.yahoo.com ’
