Internet Killed the Video Star

On August 1, 1981, The Buggles’ song “Video Killed the Radio Star” launched the life of one of the most culturally iconic TV stations in recent memory: MTV. I was only one-years-old at the time, so I don’t remember this alleged landmark achievement, but it’s supposed to be a big deal. From then on, music lyrics were put to moving picture and the dominance of the AM/FM transceiver diminished throughout the country.

But something funny happened to music television in the last 10 years, which was, oh, I don’t know, IT DOES’T SHOW MUSIC VIDEOS ANYMORE!! (Sorry to shout.) Most of you probably haven’t even noticed though, since TV ratings have been in decline over the last decade. In fact, it seems like no one is watching TV anymore—I still watch my faithful TV, er, HDTV, but almost exclusively from something that I recorded earlier: “Watch commercials? Have you gone mad!!??”

Here’s what I think happened. MTV realized that people like to watch car wrecks more than they enjoy a good music video, which is why programs like “The Real World," "Beavis and Butt-head,” and “The Osbournes” have dominated its schedule over the last several years. These are the shows that bring in ratings. Because, really, who wants to watch a Creed music video over and over again. Jessica Simpson, maybe, but Creed, no.

Then MTV decided to launch MTV2, which proclaimed that it was “where the music’s at.” But have you watched MTV2 lately? It’s pretty much the same thing as MTV now: crappy reality TV and an unusually high amount of rap videos. VH1 was supposed to put “music first,” but I think the only thing I see on there now is “Flavor of Love” and “I Love the 80s” reruns.

But where does this leave music videos? The World Wide Web, of course. Yes, people are turning more and more to their keyboard and mouse for entertainment and general amusement. Think about it; you’re proving my point right now by reading this post. With the advent of video-streaming sites such as YouTube, music videos can now be watched directly from your on-demand fingertips. I know that you’re all aware of this, but you probably don’t know where to go to find the best and most awesome music videos. I would suggest the following: MTVU.com, MTV2.com, subterraneanblog.com. I’m sure there’s a lot more—and if you have suggestions, send them my way—but this is where I go to find music video nirvana.*

*As in heaven, not the band.