MTV said likely to cancel failing 'TRL'

NEW YORK, Jan. 14 (UPI) -- A source close to MTV says the cable network probably will cancel its U.S. series, "Total Request Live," due to falling ratings.

The New York Daily News reported that with ratings from "TRL" dropping again last year, MTV is eyeing a possible cancellation of the live series and then marketing the once-popular show in another way.

"The ratings are at an all-time low, around 300,000 viewers," the source said. "The show is going to be canceled and rebranded."

Official Nielsen data has "TRL's" ratings at 393,000, a far cry from the nearly 600,000 viewers it drew in back in 2001.

The possible cancellation of the live series comes less than a week after MTV President Michael Wolf stepped down from his post.

The Daily News said that while some linked Wolf's departure last Thursday to the struggles facing the network, the former exec has maintained the move was his own decision.