MTV’s reinvention continues.
Network president Chris McCarthy and his reality topper Nina L. Diaz have greenlighted three more series as the Viacom-owned cabler looks to make the network more upbeat.
To that end, MTV has greenlighted a spinoff of Catfish, titled Catfish: Trolls; Undressed, a dating series in which contestants are tasked with undressing each other (down to their undergarments) almost immediately after meeting; and game show Win Big.
Set to launch in September, Catfish: Trolls will be hosted by Charlamagne Tha God and Raymond Braun doing their part to stop internet trolls. Using the Catfish brand of investigating the truth, the 10-episode series from Critical Content unmasks the web’s most vocal trolls to drag them out of hiding and into the light.
Joining Undressed is Win Big, a game show created by Rob Dyrdek in which audience members are offered the chance to compete against the Ridiculousness star’s “party people” for a chance to win $100,000. Win Big launches in September with a 10-episode order. The hourlong comedy/action game show is from Superjacket, Dyrdek, Shane Nickerson and Blake Levin.
Win Big and Undressed join previously announced new unscripted series Siesta Key (10 episodes, bowing July 31 at 10 p.m.), from the producers of Laguna Beach; and SafeWord (debuting Thursday at 11:30 p.m.), hosted by Terrence J and featuring guests paired with celebrities to play games in front of a live audience.
Returning unscripted series include Teen Mom 2 (July 17 at 9 p.m., 18 episodes); limited series Teen Mum (which bowed Monday at 10 p.m., six episodes); The Challenge XXX (July 18 at 9 p.m, 17 episodes); and Nick Cannon’s Wild ‘n Out (which premiered June 29 at 11 p.m.).
McCarthy previously revealed that his plan to reinvigorate the network would focus on “everything it is to be young,” with universal moments similar to those seen on staples The Hills, Jersey Shore and Laguna Beach. Since McCarthy took the reins at MTV (he also oversees Viacom’s VH1 and Logo), he has cleaned house on the unscripted side, ditching shows that don’t resonate with his vision for the brand, including Prison High, Air Sex, Almost Impossible Game Show, Acting Out, Down to Earth and Stupid Man, Smart Phone as the exec looks to focus more on quality and less on quantity.
MTV recently wrapped June with its biggest increase since 2011 on the back of its Fear Factor revival and Wild ‘n Out. “By embracing a new generation of young people, we are seeing record ratings increases at MTV, and our new summer slate will fuel this growth,” McCarthy said.
