mtv.com
However, there is also a lot of garbage and scams out there that you need to be aware of.
The internet is a big resource for entertainment, information, news, consumerism, and social media. There are lots of websites that provide those things. However, the enormous size of the internet also means that there are lots of scams and garbage out there. You need to be careful about what you choose to read or watch on the internet.
But on the other hand, there may be too many websites out there and it can be difficult to figure out which ones are worth your time and money. And when it comes to streaming TV and entertainment news sites, quality can vary in extremes. For every great site, there are like 100 bad ones. So how are we supposed to weed out the trash from the gems?
One strategy that may be helpful is to use sites that have a good reputation. Sites like Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video have already been vetted and have a lot of followers. So, if you like the content they offer, these more reputable sites are probably going to be relatively safe bets if you are looking for a good film and television streaming site.
And as far as entertainment news is concerned, well, you will probably have decent luck if you visit outlets that have been around for a long time - think Rolling Stone, People, Us Magazine, Time, etc. - if a website has passed the test of time. Nine times out of ten, it will be well-designed, offer high-quality content, and be as current as possible. This is not a failsafe. Just because a site is popular does not mean that it will be the right one for you. So you may have to do some shopping around. But sites like the ones I just mentioned are probably a decent place to start, seeing as they have stayed relevant for decades.
If you are looking for the latest in music, film, and TV news, as well as original TV content, MTV.com is a great place to start. Plus, MTV has a lot of credibility which makes it a great site to visit. So let's check out everything that MTV has to offer, okay?
History
On August 1, 1981, MTV debuted to the world and changed the way people viewed music and television. This revolutionary network gave a platform to new music and video mediums, revolutionizing pop culture along the way. By marketing and selling angst and rebellion to a worldwide audience, MTV changed the course of pop culture forever.
The first thing to ever air on MTV was footage of the launch of the Apollo 11 spacecraft, overdubbed with John Lack's introductory words: "Ladies and gentlemen, rock and roll." Immediately following those words, the original MTV theme song played - a crunchy hard rock tune written by Jonathan Elias and John Peterson. The American flag then appeared, but instead of the stars and stripes, it boasted MTV's now-iconic logo. This moment, it turned out, would change television (and the music industry) forever.
The first music video to air on MTV was "Video Killed the Radio Star" by The Buggles. And for the next 20 or so years, MTV would be the premiere outlet for music videos, music news, and music-related original programming. Shows like Bevis and Butthead, Yo! MTV Raps, Headbangers Ball, Total Request Live, MTV Unplugged, and Sucker Free Sunday would all contribute to music and pop culture greatly over the next few decades. Even today, MTV continues to prosper with a completely different kind of programming.
As the 2000s unfolded into the 2010s, MTV switched gears drastically. They shifted focus from music-related programming to reality TV. Shows like Jersey Shore, 16 and Pregnant, Punk?d, Paris Hilton?s My New BFF, Teen Mom, and (more recently) Catfish came to replace the constant feed of music videos, live performances, and news segments that once dominated MTV's airwaves.
As MTV shifted from a cable TV channel to an online media source, it seems as if they found a balance between the old days of music content and the new age MTV brand of reality television. The current state of the MTV website appears to be about 60-40, leaning more heavily towards reality shows and news - but with a strong through-line of music that was all but buried entirely in their live broadcasting over the last 20 years. On MTV.com, now standing as a great source of thoughtful music journalism, viewers can enjoy the latest in MTV programming as well as explore interesting music articles.
Design
Nowadays, MTV's look is much more polished and refined. The channel favors a sleek, modern aesthetic with sleek graphics and bright colors. It seems to want to blend in and fit in, rather than challenge the status quo.
The MTV of 2020, as opposed to the one from a few years ago, is much more calm and professional. It has a sleeker and more pop-friendly feel to it. The site appears in an understated white, gray, and black theme with clean lines and clearly separated sections that make browsing the site easy and convenient. I must say that I'm personally disappointed in the direction that MTV has been taking for the last 25 years or so -I miss the punk rock attitude that MTV once had. That being said, the site is well-designed and, honestly, the more modern look is probably much better in terms of functionality. So I approve.
Content
MTV offers a blend of music and pop culture news, album reviews, think pieces, and original content that can be streamed (either live or on-demand). I should note here that in order to stream shows or live MTV broadcasting, you will have to have a traditional cable provider. Unfortunately, as far as I can tell, you cannot simply become an MTV subscriber and access all of the site's content.
That being said, I think MTV.com is one of the best resources for music journalism on the web. They have a history of showcasing thoughtful and talented writers - such as one of my favorite music writers of all time, Hanif Abdurraqib - who provide something that goes beyond mere music journalism, often synthesizing music or pop culture news with personal and/or political themes.
Mobile and Desktop Experience
I really enjoy the MTV app! It's very user-friendly and makes streaming my favorite shows on my smartphone or tablet really easy. Many other people also seem to think highly of this app, with an average rating of 4.4 out of 19,000 ratings on the Apple App Store.
Pricing and Plans
Unfortunately, MTV does not offer its own premium service. They are still beholden to traditional cable providers. So, the only way that you will be able to access the members? area of MTV.com is to sign up with a cable provider and pay a different price for each plan. And, as you know, prices for cable plans can vary greatly. However, you can read as many articles as you like, free of charge.
Suggestions that I have for MTV
I would love to see MTV offer their own OTT service. The idea of paying just $10 a month for access to their original content is appealing to me. I don't want to have to pay $60 or $70 a month for traditional cable, as that seems like too much money. Just give me my MTV - the old slogan goes!