It’s official: Paramount Global has announced the permanent closure of several dedicated MTV music channels across various international markets by December 31, 2025.
The channels set to go off-air include:
- MTV Music
- MTV 80s
- MTV 90s
- Club MTV
- MTV Live
What You Need to Know:
- The Main Channel Remains: The flagship main MTV channel (often broadcast as MTV HD) will remain on air. However, its programming will continue to focus primarily on reality and entertainment shows (like Catfish and The Challenge), rather than music videos.
- Geographic Focus: The shutdown will begin in the UK and Ireland, followed by a phased closure across Continental Europe and other international regions, including Australia and Brazil.
- US Channels Unaffected (For Now): Currently, MTV-branded channels in the United States (including the main MTV, MTV Live, and MTV Classic) are not part of this immediate shutdown plan.
- Why the Change? The decision is driven by a massive shift in how audiences consume music. With viewers flocking to platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Spotify for on-demand music videos, traditional linear music television has seen a steep decline in viewership, making the channels financially unsustainable as part of Paramount Global’s cost-cutting strategy.
- The Future is Digital: The MTV brand is not disappearing. It will pivot its focus to its digital and social media presence, as well as its streaming content through Paramount+.
For many, this marks the true end of an era for “Music Television” as we knew it—a cultural icon that defined generations is now fully embracing the streaming-first world. Pour one out for the VJs and the video countdowns!