MTV has shut down its remaining music-only TV channels, marking the end of an era for music television.
MTV has officially closed its remaining music-only television channels, bringing an end to almost four decades of round-the-clock music video broadcasting. The closures took effect on the 31st of December and mark a major shift for one of the most recognisable brands in music and pop culture.
As reported by BBC News, the channels affected include MTV Music, MTV 80s, MTV 90s, Club MTV, and MTV Live. In the UK, these channels were removed from platforms such as Sky and Virgin Media. Similar shutdowns have also taken place across Ireland, Germany, Austria, France, Poland, Hungary, Australia, and Brazil.
MTV HD will remain on air in the UK, but it will continue to focus on reality programming rather than music videos. The US versions of the music channels are not currently affected.
The decision reflects a wider change in how audiences consume music and music videos. According to the BBC, music videos are now mostly watched on platforms like YouTube and social media rather than on traditional television. MTV’s parent company, Paramount Skydance, declined to comment directly but previously confirmed the closures as part of large-scale cost-cutting following its merger earlier this year. The company is reportedly aiming to reduce spending by more than $500 million globally.
The final sign-off was deliberately symbolic. As reported by the NME, the last video aired was The Buggles’ “Video Killed the Radio Star”, which was also the first music video ever played when MTV launched in the US in 1981.
Former MTV VJ (video jockey) Simone Angel described the closure as deeply emotional. She told BBC News she was “really sad, and I’m a little bit in disbelief, and I know it’s been a long time coming”. Reflecting on MTV’s cultural impact, she added: “MTV was the place where everything came together. So it really does break my heart.”
MTV launched in the US in 1981, expanded to Europe in 1987, and introduced a dedicated UK channel in 1997. Digital Music News notes that while the main UK channel stopped showing music videos in 2011, the sister channels kept music television alive for another decade.