Posted on 11/01/2025 10:02:13 AM PDT by Red Badger
Paramount Global has delivered a devastating blow to music fans worldwide, announcing the permanent shutdown of five iconic MTV music channels by December 31, 2025 according to the BBC. For 44 years, MTV has been a cultural juggernaut, shaping youth culture, launching musical careers, and defining how generations consumed music, fashion, and pop culture. The closure of these beloved networks signals the end of an era that captivated audiences who once gathered around television screens, eagerly awaiting the next music video from their favorite artists.
The affected channels—MTV Music, MTV 80s, MTV 90s, Club MTV, and MTV Live—have long served as cherished hubs for music video culture across Europe and beyond. MTV Music, the flagship destination for music videos, has been a go-to for fans seeking the latest hits. MTV 80s and MTV 90s transported viewers back to the eras of synth-pop, hair metal, grunge, and bubblegum pop, offering nostalgic escapes through retro hits and iconic classics. Club MTV pulsed with dance music and electronic beats, catering to club culture enthusiasts, while MTV Live brought the energy of live performances and concert coverage to living rooms worldwide. These channels, each with its own distinct flavor, kept the spirit of music videos alive in an age increasingly dominated by streaming platforms.
The shutdown will begin in the United Kingdom and Ireland, with plans to phase out the channels in continental Europe and other international markets shortly after. While the main MTV channel will continue to operate, its focus has shifted dramatically in recent years. Once a music video powerhouse, it now leans heavily into reality programming like Catfish and The Challenge, leaving little room for the music content that defined its legacy. The decision reflects Paramount Global’s broader strategy to streamline its television portfolio, which also includes the closure of other networks like NickMusic EMEA, Comedy Central Extra, and Paramount Network.
For fans, the loss is profound. MTV’s music channels were more than just entertainment—they were cultural touchstones. They introduced the world to groundbreaking artists, from Madonna to Nirvana, and provided a visual platform for music that shaped global trends. The 80s and 90s channels, in particular, offered a nostalgic refuge, reminding viewers of a time when music videos were cinematic events. Club MTV and MTV Live kept the energy alive, celebrating dance culture and the raw power of live performances.
As the December 31 deadline approaches, fans are left to mourn the fading of a once-vibrant chapter in music history. The airwaves will grow quieter, and the music, as many fear, has died a little more.
For a while VH1 held out but then they got weird too.
Roku has free live channels that play music videos by decade and genre
I haven’t had cable since the fire and honestly, I have better channel choices than I did with DIRECTV.
Vimeo is great, too.
“ You can watch ‘80s videos on Roku through dedicated music video channels like Flashback 80s and Hit Music 80s TV, and by streaming on-demand content from services like The Roku Channel, Paramount+, and Tubi. The Roku Channel offers a large selection of ‘80s movies and shows, while dedicated channels provide nonstop music video content from the era.
Dedicated ‘80s music video channels
Flashback 80s: Features ‘80s music videos from artists like Michael Jackson and Madonna.
Hit Music 80s TV: Offers music from the decade with no ads.
Hot Hitz 80s: Another station with ‘80s music and jingles.
Back to the 80s Channels: A category in the Roku Channel Store with various 80s music”
There’s hair metal, heavy metal and many more music channels.
Yeah. Wide variety of interesting content for sure!
HA!
Or, what I heard from an old musician once: “good musicians borrow. Great ones steal.”
(I kinda met Groucho. We were in Malibu, went by his house, and he happened to be in his wheelchair out at the mailbox with his nurse. We stopped and talked a while)
These were never broadcast, they were edited out of the show:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwdIerTCNCQ
Youtube on your 65” smart TV. People are loving it. Even my friend who does not own a computer or tablet.
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