Total Request Live was the Italian version of the American show of the same name that originated in 1999. Originally broadcast weekdays at 2.00 p.m., its time slot was changed as it ran into its second season. It was broadcast at 3.00 p.m. starting in 2002.

The main presenters, during the ten seasons, were Alessandro Cattelan, Giorgia Surina, Marco Maccarini, Carolina Di Domenico, and Federico Russo. As from June 2, 2008 the show is hosted by Elena Santarelli and Carlo Pastore, who presented another music programme of MTV, Your Noise. During her episode of May 15, 2009, Elena Santarelli, because of her maternity, left the show. Elisabetta Canalis came replacing her.

In 2010 the show had been completely renovated and have changed his name in TRL On the Road, so the show wasn't hosted from a stage, but from a truck to make viewers more involved.

Despite the show has been cancelled from MTV schedule in 2010, the TRL Awards were anyway celebrated until 2012.