A programmer has launched MTV Rewind, a 27,000-video archive recreating the classic MTV experience with no ads or algorithms.
For anyone who grew up with music television as a daily ritual, the absence of wall-to-wall music videos on MTV has long felt like a cultural loss. While the network has steadily moved toward reality programming over the years, one independent coder has decided to not let that era disappear just yet.
Using the online handle Flexasaurus Rex, the programmer has built MTV Rewind, a browser-based app designed to recreate the experience of turning on MTV and letting the videos roll. The project is currently hosted at wantmymtv.xyz and offers an expansive archive that pulls from roughly six decades of music history.
At the time of writing, the site features just under 28,000 music videos spread across eleven channels. These include 1st Day, 70s, 80s, 90s, 2000s, 2010s, 2020s, Yo! MTV Raps, and Headbangers Ball. There is also a Shuffle All option for viewers who want a fully unpredictable mix. Classic-era commercials are worked into the rotation, adding to the feeling of channel surfing in a pre-streaming world.
Once a channel is selected, playback begins immediately with a randomly chosen video from that era or genre. The experience mirrors traditional television rather than on-demand streaming. You might land on a defining hit or a forgotten deep cut, and if you’re not vibing with a particular video, skipping ahead is always an option. According to the site, the system can deliver up to 60 days of continuous playback.
MTV Rewind is upfront about its status. A disclaimer notes that it is “an independent, non-commercial archival project” and that it is not affiliated with MTV, Viacom, or Paramount Global. All videos are streamed from YouTube, and all trademarks remain the property of their respective owners.
Flexasaurus Rex explained the motivation behind the project in a Farcaster discussion. “MTV was a cultural institution that changed music, fashion and youth culture. Then they stopped showing music videos and became reality TV. I felt a wave of sadness when the announcement hit. Nothing felt like it could fill that void. So I started coding. Built it in 48 hours: MTV REWIND.”
Describing the site as “zero algorithm. zero ads. zero bullshit,” the coder has also been candid about the toll of building it. “I’m broke, exhausted and honestly feeling like shit, but thousands are using it and that’s what matters,” they wrote, later adding, “Press play and see what happens. BECAUSE THAT’S PUNK ROCK AS FUCK.”
While online chatter around the New Year sparked renewed claims that MTV itself is dead, the reality is more complicated. Paramount did shut down several supplementary MTV-branded 24-hour music channels in the UK and Australia at the start of the year. The main MTV channel, Classic and Live, however, remain active.
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