MuchMusic dares to play music


New. Music. Live. host Lauren Toyota

MuchMusic is attempting to reemphasize its role as a music station, announcing a number of new series and the return of old favourites yesterday.

Fucked Up's Damian Abraham will host a new incarnation of the Wedge, showcasing trend setting indie music. It returns January 26 at 10 p.m. in an all-new format.

Also making its return with a facelift is RapCity. The hip-hop and R&B showcase returns with 1 Love T.O.’s Tyrone Edwards (a.k.a T-RexXx) as host on January 20 at 10 p.m.

#Trending is a new series that focuses on the week's most hyped music videos, fashion fixes and beauty tips. It bows January 21 at 6 p.m.

Finally, New.Music.Live., which premiered in December, is Much's new flagship show, delivering the latest in music and entertainment daily at 5 p.m. It's hosted by new Much personalities Lauren Toyota, Bonn Smith and Phoebe Dykstra in front of a live studio audience. I've yet to watch it, but noticed a bunch of tweets during premiere week of people shocked how much music was being played in this hour of programming.

Looks like MuchMusic might finally be getting the hint that we want some videos between our Gossip Girl and Degrassi reruns!

My only question now is what role VJs Sarah Taylor, Jesse Giddings and Liz Trinnear now play on the station.