The MTV Video Music Award for Best Alternative Video (also known as Best Alternative Music Video) was first given out at the 1991 MTV Video Music Awards. Prior to the award being called Best Alternative Video, this award was known as MTV Video Music Award for Best Post-Modern Video in 1989 and 1990. The last of this award was given out in 1998 to Green Day for their song "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)". After the award's discontinuation, artists and videos who would have normally been eligible for this award became eligible for other genre categories, including Best Rock Video.
Nirvana is the biggest winner of this award, winning all three of their consecutive bids for the Moonman from 1992 to 1994. In terms of nominations, though, Green Day ties with Nirvana as biggest nominee, receiving three nominations in 1994, 1995, and 1998.