Entertainment Biz - MTV Launches “MTV Studios” after Record Growth on Linear and Digital

Global Youth Brand to Open its Vault for the First-Time, Develop New and Reimagined Iconic Series and Franchises for SVOD and Linear Partners - Initial Slate Includes Reinventions of Hit Series “Daria,” “The Real World,” “Aeon Flux,” the Emmy Award-winning “MADE” and two new titles

NEW YORK, NY USA -- (BUSINESS WIRE)

Friday, August 17, 2018

MTV announced the launch of MTV Studios, a new unit focused on developing new series and re-imaginations of its most iconic hits for partners across SVOD and Linear. MTV Studios will develop and produce a full slate with a focus on beloved series, franchises and spin-offs that span MTV’s 35-year history.

With over 200 titles, MTV Studios has one of the largest libraries of young adult series and franchises in TV history. MTV Studios’ initial slate includes a reimagined version of the feminist icon “Daria” with writer Grace Edwards from “Inside Amy Schumer”; cult sci-fi hit “Aeon Flux” from “Teen Wolf” creator Jeff Davis; groundbreaking reality series “The Real World” with Bunim/Murray Productions; and an update of the Emmy Award-winning coming of age unscripted series “Made.”

The slate will also include two new titles including “The Valley” (working title), a coming of age docuseries in the spirit of “The Hills” and “Siesta Key” which follows a group of young friends growing up in the Valley town of Nogales, Arizona, a city split in half, with one side in the United States and the other in Mexico. Also included is “MTV’s Straight Up Ghosted,” which follows young people trying to reconnect with lost friends, lovers and family members and confront them about why they have been ghosted.

“MTV has the biggest collection of hit youth franchises that spans more than three decades of content and over 200 titles, part of which have fueled our resurgence,” said Chris McCarthy, President of MTV. “With MTV Studios, we are for the first time ever opening up this vault beyond our own platforms to reimagine the franchises with new partners.”

MTV Studios builds on MTV’s growth in the past year, as the brand has reclaimed its core of youth, music, and reality programming. MTV is currently the fastest growing network on TV, with viewership in prime time up 21% year-over-year. Additionally, MTV attracted 2.9 billion streams in 2018, up +83% YoY, and has amassed more than 350 million social followers around the globe. The brand’s rapid growth across platforms offers MTV Studios’ partners a vibrant marketing platform for new and reimagined co-productions alike.