MTV to shut down its iconic music channels by year-end

New York: MTV will shut down five of its long-running music channels by December 2025 as part of a global restructuring by parent company Paramount Global. The decision marks the end of an era for the network that once revolutionised the music television landscape.

MTV to end music broadcasting legacy

MTV announced that it will permanently close MTV Music, MTV 80s, MTV 90s, Club MTV and MTV Live by 31 December 2025. The shutdown will start in the UK and Ireland before expanding to other regions including Europe, Australia, Brazil, France, Germany, Austria, Hungary and Poland.

While the main MTV channel will continue to operate, its focus will remain on reality shows and pop culture content, signalling a complete departure from its original music-driven identity.

Decline of traditional music television

The network attributed the closures to shifting audience behaviour, as music lovers increasingly turn to platforms like YouTube, TikTok and Spotify for video and audio content.
Viewership for MTV’s music channels has plummeted in recent years — MTV Music reportedly attracted only about 1.3 million viewers in July 2025, while MTV 90s drew around 949,000.

These figures are a fraction of what the channels once commanded during their peak in the 1990s and early 2000s, when MTV defined global music culture and introduced generations to pop icons through televised music videos.

Cost-cutting and corporate realignment

Paramount Global, which owns MTV, is implementing a USD 500 million cost-cutting plan following its merger with Skydance Media earlier this year. The company is prioritising profitable and future-focused divisions such as streaming and digital platforms over traditional broadcast channels.

A Paramount spokesperson said the move was necessary to “align resources with evolving audience preferences and global media trends.” The closures are part of a larger strategy to simplify operations across regions and phase out underperforming channels.

The end of an iconic chapter

Launched in 1981, MTV was once synonymous with music culture, introducing artists like Michael Jackson, Madonna and Nirvana to global fame. Its tagline “I Want My MTV” became a pop-culture phenomenon, shaping youth identity for decades.

Over time, MTV shifted its focus from music videos to reality programming such as The Real World, Jersey Shore and Teen Mom. The music channels, created later, were meant to preserve the network’s legacy but now face the same fate as declining viewership and competition from digital media force a new direction.

Reaction from industry veterans

Former MTV VJ Simone Angel expressed sadness over the shutdown, calling it “the end of a cultural institution.” She said the network had once been “a place where everything came together — music, fashion and youth energy.”

Despite the closures, MTV plans to continue engaging audiences through social media channels and the Paramount+ streaming platform, where curated music content and live performances will be hosted in digital formats.

Conclusion

The closure of MTV’s music channels underscores the irreversible shift from traditional television to digital streaming. What began as a revolution in 1981 has now transitioned fully to the internet era, leaving behind nostalgic memories for millions who grew up watching music videos on TV.

For many fans, the move marks not just the end of MTV’s music era, but also a farewell to a generation-defining chapter in entertainment history.