What's old is new: MTV plots a major return to music

For much of the modern era, the word music in the MTV acronym has been an afterthought, a vestige of an earlier time and identity.

That's all about to change.

Under the guidance of new President Sean Atkins, the youth network is embarking on a redo that will put music at its center.

With ratings flat or down in a number of time periods, MTV is turning to songs as its savior. The network is prepping a new version of its classic "Unplugged"; a music competition show in the world of hip-hop produced by Mark Burnett; and an L.A.-set live-music series titled "Wonderland." The last one is MTV's first such program in about two decades.

Though much of the network's success this century has come via nonscripted series with little connection to bands ("Jersey Shore," "The Hills")--and though original scripted programming remains the rage across much of the cable dial -- MTV believes it will fare better by returning to its roots.

More