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Summary of MTV shakeups
 Earlier this week, there was some confusion surrounding the layoffs at MTV Networks. At the end of the week, here's everything we know.
About 250 employees were fired, or about 5.5% of the MTV U.S. staff. As reported earlier this week, much of the VH1 Classic staff is gone, and producers at MTV2 have also been given the ax. The general managers at both stations were also laid off. Both channels will continue to operate with a smaller staff.
This move comes as no big surprise to us. MTV2 has been shifting toward externally produced programming, so some people had to be cut eventually. The less in-house music shows you have, the less producers you need. Various other employees for MTV, VH1, Comedy Central, and CMT were also fired as part of this consolidation.
So, what will change from our standpoint? Probably not much. The programming on VH1 Classic and MTV2 should stay about the same.
Subterranean will not air this week, as previously expected, but none of our sources have given us any reason to believe the show is on the chopping block. We're expecting Subterranean to air next Sunday, February 25, hosted by Jim Shearer from the PLUG Awards.
As for MTV itself, producer Dave George confirmed on a message board that TRL will not be cancelled, despite earlier rumors that the show was axed. I don't know why MTV bothers to keep TRL on the air at all, as its influence has completely diminished and the channel has no commitment to music videos anymore, but there you have it.
MTV Networks also expressed support for their college-based network, mtvU, and the Spanish-language MTV Tr3s, confirming both channels will remain on the air. I'll admit mtvU offers a great playlist of videos, but it's a shame the channel is only available on select campuses.
That said, a few of MTV Networks' channels are indeed going off the air. Three channels, MTV Desi, MTV Chi, and MTV K, will cease to exist as part of this move. Launched in 2005, these "MTV World" channels were aimed at Asian Americans and available only on satellite. Although the channels will be gone, MTV is expected to continue all three brands online. I doubt most altmusictv visitors have ever seen any of these channels, so it's no big loss to us.
I'm pretty sure that's the extent of the shakeups at MTV Networks. If there's anything I missed, let me know. Make sure to visit altmusictv on Sunday or Monday for the next installment of On TV, an overview of alternative music videos and performances on TV next week.
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