travbowman asked

Will the Fuse Network eventually surpass MTV in popularity?

Oh how far MTV has fallen. The TV channel that got its start by bucking the establishment has officially become one of the worst examples of corporate greed and the dangers of media consolidation. Of course, you'd never know it by listening to the MTV party-line. An article published in USA Today is promoting MTVs success in remaining relevant to young viewers (defined as 12-34) by continuously rolling out hip, new programs. This is not new stuff here, but just so you know I'm not talking out of my ass on this issue, heres an excerpt from an article posted in The Los Angeles Times about MTV's use of its monopoly powers to cut down a new competitor, Fuse: Since its debut seven months ago, Fuse has been steadily picking up music video viewers. Viacom Inc., which owns MTV, is playing hardball in response, industry sources say, exercising a provision in contracts with record labels that requires them to provide music videos for Viacom's exclusive use. Executives at the five major record conglomerates won't talk publicly about the move. Privately, they're griping about what they say is MTV's bid to strong-arm them in order to keep its near-monopoly status in the music TV business. The labels agreed to the exclusivity provisions in contracts signed years ago. But executives say those deals were signed back when MTV had little serious competition. Under the labels' contracts, the Viacom network can air a video exclusively for as long as six months, sources say. 'Whether anybody wants to admit it or not, the Fuse is becoming a player,' said one artist representative who spoke on condition of anonymity. MTV 'is seeing a spark, and they want to keep them from playing.' So far, Fuse seems to be much like the MTV of old (read the 80's): irreverant, spontaneous, guerilla, and above all, music-oriented. Check out this ad campaign, which sparked another feud with MTV. Whether or not Fuse can keep this up indefinitely,

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