Broadcast for the first time in 1998, Total Request Live was one of MTV’s first step in gearing the network towards a more reality-based orientation, actively involving the audience as much as possible, in order to make them glued to their sets and make them tune in the next time.

The format of TRL presupposes ten videos, requested by the public online, being aired during the 60 minutes. The least requested video is aired first, and it goes through the other 9, ending with the most requested video. Except for the exciting format, keeping music lovers on the edge of their seats when it comes to finding out if the video you chose is the most popular, the show is also a great publicity platform for stars, who are invited to the show to speak about their proposed video and their music and life in general.

In 2007, the show turned a new leaf, as the number one video was determined by factoring in not only online votes, but also charts, ringtones, downloads, radio airplay and streams. Many fans were disappointed when it leaked, and then was confirmed, that many of the supposedly “Live” shows were pre-recorded.

The show was hosted originally by Carson Daly, who made the show and the acronym TRL popular among teens. In 2003 , Daly, who was now as much a part of the show as the logo, stepped down as host. He was replaced by VJs who took turns hosting TRL.

On Sunday, the TRL era ends, as MTV has previously announced that today, November 16th, they will air a two-hour special episode, as a worthy goodbye to the decade-long show that made music history.