While the original MTV stopped playing videos years ago, the cable network had a number of sister stations across the globe that still played music.
As our use of the past tense indicates, that era is now over.
While you can still watch reality shows like RuPaul’s Drag Race and Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta on the original network, the decision to shutter the music-only channels was publicly announced in October. This closure was a result of the merger between Skydance and Paramount Global. The move is an effort by the newly formed company to save money.
This includes the MTV music channels based in the U.K., Australia, Poland, France, Brazil, and other countries worldwide. Other regional channels remaining in the United States will end when distribution contracts expire.
Each station played its farewell before shutting down. You can see how each one said goodbye to viewers below.
MTV Music Started How It Began
When MTV began in 1981, the first video it played was 1979’s “Video Killed the Radio Star.” Performed by the new wave band The Buggles, its lyrics about how “pictures came and broke your heart” proved prophetic. Classic rockers who didn’t adapt to the new visual format were put to pasture while up-and-comers like Duran Duran and Devo took over the airwaves.
With that in mind, the final video on MTV Music fittingly echoed the channel’s beginnings by playing the same song that once predicted music’s future.
The Spice Girls Said ‘Goodbye’ On MTV 90s
The Spice Girls led the British pop invasion in the 1990s with hit songs like “Wannabe” and “Say You’ll Be There.” Geri Halliwell, known as Ginger Spice, first left the girl group in 1998. To mark the change, the remaining four members recorded the single “Goodbye.” It seemed fitting that MTV 90s said farewell to viewers with this song.
Club MTV Ignored Rihanna’s Plea
Club MTV, the dance-themed video station, reportedly played “Don’t Stop the Music” by Rihanna for its final song. Then, the music stopped.
MTV 00s Said ‘Bye Bye Bye’
NSYNC kicked off the 2000s with its signature song, “Bye Bye Bye.” MTV 00s closed out its run in epic fashion with the boy band’s track.