MTV branches out from 'The Hills' style reality TV with new shows

MTV may have stuck with shows like "The Hills" just a little too long, according to network president Tony DiSanto.
"I think, when things start working, it is a temptation to do more of the same," DiSanto told the Daily News on Monday.
And MTV did, putting a large bet on "The Hills" and similiar shows like "The City," at the expense of other formats. While the shows drew large audiences, and loads of tabloid magazine buzz, the network sort of got stuck in a programming rut.
"What we have to do at MTV is we almost have to force ourselves to pull the rug out from underneath us," DiSanto said. "We might have fed on the success of certain formats for a hair too long, and done too much of them."
So, the network has been in an expansion mode of late. Monday, the announced it would develop a U.S. version of the British hit "Skins," a scripted drama about a group of teenagers. And previously, the network announced of a handful of other new shows in the works, including a scripted comedy and a different twist on a variety show.
DiSanto's not giving up on "The Hills" just yet. A new season starts next month with former "Laguna Beach" breakout Kristin Cavallari being the focal point, filling a space open when Lauren Conrad left.
"I consider this next season with Kristin Cavallari almost a restart," DiSanto said. "If it works, who knows? If it doesn't, maybe 'The Hills' stops working."
MTV isn't getting out of the reality business, either. Instead, its mixing up the kinds of realities it presents.
For instance, Thursday night marks the relaunch of the network's "guy block" of reality shows geared for action fans, and includes the second season of skateboard legend "Rob Dyrdek's Fantasy Factory" (9 p.m.), the reality show "Bully Beatdown" (9:30) and Travis Pastrana's motocross stunt show, "Nitro Circus" (10), along with the launch of "Pranked" (10:30), a new show made up of pranks captured on video.
Previously, the male-skewing shows aired on Sundays.
DiSanto said the move was an effort to get the shows away from football on Sundays and into slots where they might draw a bigger audience.
"They all have a similarity in tone, the same attitude and feel of rebellion," DiSanto said. He cited the aspirational aspects of Pastrana's show, in which the rider and crew try new stunts.
The Thursday shows are part of the network's new programming approach, DiSanto said.
"These shows, to me, feel part of the new MTV," DiSanto said.
"I really think it's about creative diversity," he said. "People expect MTV to be reinventive. Reality is not an ownable space anymore. I think we've got to add a lot more stuff to stay alive."
credit - nydaily news