MTV2

MTV2 is a cable network that is widely available in the United States on digital cable and satellite television, and is progressively being added to basic cable lineups across the nation. It is also broadcast over-the-air in some markets where the former all-request music channel known as The Box was broadcast. A European counterpart broadcasts from London in the United Kingdom, as does a Canadian version on digital cable and satellite, with a German version being closed down in September 2005. MTV2 began broadcasting on August 1, 1996—MTV's fifteenth anniversary—with the first video Beck's Where It's At. The purpose of the channel was to give music fans a place to see constant, commercial-free music videos, once the original MTV had started concentrating on reality television and soap operas.

Less variety, less music (2004)

During the fall of 2003 and the beginning of 2004, MTV2 once again updated its schedule to include more genre-separated blocks and less variety. The popular show Control Freak, which allowed viewers to vote for the next video they wanted to see, was cancelled from its daily 2-hour time slot from 7 PM to 9 PM, and moved to one half-hour seen only on Tuesday. Other daily shows like Back in Play and Latest & Greatest, which featured a mix of new and old videos, were also cancelled. As part of this transition, MTV2 Rock was moved to a half-hour at 8 PM, followed by a daily half-hour version of the Headbangers' Ball. MTV2's daily Hip Hop Show was expanded further, airing the newest hip-hop hits every day from 5 PM to 7 PM, with the same videos played again from 10 PM to midnight. A new show called "Greatest Hits" replaced Artist Collections, so MTV2 can play only the particular artist's best videos, instead of every video they ever made. The arrival of the new Greatest Hits show meant MTV2's popular "The Definitive" was cancelled as well. Around this time, MTV2's daytime schedule halted regular music video rotation. Since then, music-related specials and documentaries have been scheduled for daytime on MTV2.

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In the spring of 2004, MTV2 ended its contract with Jesse Snider and welcomed Amanda Diva as its new Hip Hop VJ. Jim Shearer remained with the channel and also picked up hosting duties for all Rock shows previously hosted by Jesse. Jamey Jasta remained the host of Headbangers' Ball.

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Also in the spring and summer of 2004, MTV2's daily schedule became almost completely occupied by repeats of MTV's documentaries, reality shows, and even some classics such as Beavis and Butt-head. Only some music video programming remained, including a daily Hip Hop hour at 6 PM and a Rock hour at 8 PM. However, MTV2's "freeform" music video format, which featured a diverse mix of new and old videos from all genres since the channel's beginning, completely ended. Even during MTV2's late night "Music Videos" rotation (4 AM to 7 AM), a programmed playlist determined the videos that will be played. As 2004 came to a close, MTV2 made very little changes to its programming, with random shows and documentaries continuing to occupy most of the daily schedule.

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