How Music Channels Lost It!

In the good old days, people used to switch on to MTV for what it’s meant. Music. I have been watching this channel from my childhood days when there were no other music channels at all. Not even Channel V, Only MTV (excuse me for not considering ‘Chitrahaar’ and ‘Rangoli’ from Doordarshan). I guess when I was in class VII, MTV got away from it’s Star partnership and that gave birth to Channel V. Btw, did you know that Channel V was run without any name for a month before it got it’s name! Now you know.

Anyways, the point that am making is that we do not go to MTV/ Channel V to watch music anymore, because there ain’t any music playing there! (Now we go to YouTube channels). Either it’s full of movie trailers OR the Roadies, Captain Shack, Splitsvilla etc of the world. MTV simply lost it down the line somewhere and started showing all General Entertainment Channel material. And Channel V soon followed. Actually Channel V went a step ahead and started showing typical love story serials – saas bahu type but with a twist that it’s mushy mushy (meant for teenagers). 


Come on guys, there’s already so many hindi GEC’s showing such programs, you were not supposed to get there at all! In such a case make another channel and show me my music, where I can count on getting authentic good quality music from all around. And ya do not get stuck only on bollywood music (if possible). There is this awesome parody on Roadies which I loved, you should watch it too! Looks like MTV wants Roadies to become a never ending saga of sorts! And that lousy Splitsvilla – what is it supposed to be doing on a music channel? They have truly lost it. Like a saas bahu channel delivers exactly what is expected out of it, isn’t a music channel supposed to deliver what its meant to be? Or it’s too much to ask for these days?

Very recently they started off Coke Studio and Sound Trippin and are worth your prime time. But it’s just not enough, there needs to be more to it. More quality music. More music from around the world. If it really has to be reality shows for these music channels then there are dozens of such program that will attract the right talent and money (for the channel), viewership and popularity. Don’t know why music/ singing related programs like Saregama or for that matter Indian Idol do not belong here! But Roadies is in it’s 9th leg and Splitsvilla in it’s 5th (or 6th, who cares) season on a Music channel! It’s time these channels mature and deliver what is expected out from them. 


Disclaimer: There are many more music channels in the Indian market (Hindi, English and regional) but I have watched them intermittently or rarely, for no specific reason. Hence my post is skewed towards these 2 channels only. The views expressed here are personal and you are welcome to object to express your counter view point by commenting here. 

8 thoughts on “How Music Channels Lost It!”

  1. Trail of observations Adi 🙂
    People who think only to prove others wrong and themselves right would object !! Others see substance.
    You read books. Blog one 🙂

  2. Kunal, I am kind of confused! Could you please explain what exactly you were trying to write here, am guessing too many short sentences are not conveying the exact point! 🙂

  3. Let me detail on what i wrote above 🙂

    Trail of observations Adi 🙂
    => It means your lines covers years of observation from old days till date.

    People who think only to prove others wrong and themselves right would object !! Others see substance.
    => This part is specifically on your disclaimer in which you wrote people are welcome to object because when i read articles i read people thinking and writing to show what they wrote is right and will write more to enforce it.

    You read books. Blog one 🙂
    => I know you read books and as you are busy these days to think and write on a new topic, this was a hint to write on a book you have already read.

  4. Wow, now that's some much analysed comment I must say. The 1st comment did not provide the real depth of your analysis, good I asked you to elaborate! 🙂

    Yes, years of observation on something that is so close to many of us – MUSIC! The blog topic came from a personal pain point on whenever I felt like watching tv for music, even though I listen to my music in office, on mobile, in car, while exercising and where not! 🙂 I really wish these channels do something or improvise sooner, before it's too late… for me! 🙂

    But then the other side of the table is filled with the real youth of this country who demands such shows to be aired, hence I guess these channels do what they do. Anyways it's my opinion and I stand by it! 🙂

    And yes I keep all my posts open for people to respond with their opinion, whether it differs or not is not important. If it differs, you are more than welcome! 🙂

    Yes, I will write on books that I read or have read, just that I have so many things running in my head that i never reach out towards the books to blog about. But soon that too will happen!

    You have been a regular reader of my blog posts and have been commenting, encouraging and suggesting improvements as well very enthusiastically; this gives me all the more reasons to blog and keep coming out with the right content every time. Thanks again. Please continue doing what you do, take it from me, you will never come to my blog and go disappointed! 🙂
    Thanks again.

  5. Thanks Adi. Your explanation very well compliments your blog.
    Just wondering why doesn't Swami Adi Publicize your blogs !! 🙂

  6. I agree 100%. The last place you should look for music is MTV and V. I used to like VH1 and it still is a decent channel but off late I am seeing movie trailers and numerous ads. No sir, I am not happy.
    What strikes me as strange is that the guys running these channels are not idiots. Maybe there is a market for junk out there and we probably have refined taste. 🙂 Or, we are just getting older and getting into "previous" generation. When I was growing up, generation gap meant a gap of at least 20 years but in today's fast paced world, generation gap is down to 5 years I guess…

    –Santhosh

  7. Ha ha 🙂 Yes, we are getting old! That puts me also in your category, but am not complaining since that is a fact! 🙂 Today's news that Channel V will not show any music content from now on, was a proof that there is a market out there for such 'crap'. Since it makes business sense for them they moved on. I wish more quality channels come up and live up to the expectations. I also wish VH1 soon becomes a HD channel.I promise to blow my neighbors eardrums! 🙂

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