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.
it was still on??? News to me
I stopped watching June 24, 1997 when they had their first gay kiss on tv. I had to look that up, but yeah, that’s when I stopped watching listening.
Good. Propaganda, Get out the vote BS is over
That's being charitable. MTV was a cultural juggernaut for about 15 years then it gradually declined to irrelevance. Still, my friends and I watched it in the early 1980s as kids.
Hmm. Old story. I had this over a month ago. Something else happen?
They still had a music channel?
Since like the late 1990s it has been smut and various left-wing political propaganda shows.
“There’s no such thing as an old joke if you’ve never heard it before.” - Groucho Marx..............
“There’s no such thing as an old joke if you’ve never heard it before.” - Groucho Marx..............
Their first video was “Video Killed the Radio Star”.
I guess they'll have to change their name to BSTV (if that isn't already taken).
Buggles lied to me.
We need on called “Stupidity Killed the Video Stars”............
Modern music is pretty much dead so it has to be hard to come up with new content. Also MTV didn’t start the video revolution. We owe that to as show on regular TV called “Friday Night Video’s”.
Didn’t even know they were still on.
Video may have killed the radio star but MTV committed suicide.
MTV started in 1981. Friday Night Videos started in 1983............
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MTV
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friday_Night_Videos
The Internet Killed the Video Star...
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