MTV, one of the most influential names in global music culture, is preparing to shut down its main music channels after more than forty years on air. Paramount Global has confirmed that five MTV music networks will officially go dark by December 31, 2025, marking the end of an era that began in 1981 and shaped generations of artists and fans.
The closure affects MTV Music, MTV 80s, MTV 90s, Club MTV and MTV Live. The shutdown will start in the United Kingdom and Ireland before extending to France, Germany, Austria, Poland, Hungary, Australia and Brazil. MTV HD will continue broadcasting, but its focus will shift almost entirely to reality and entertainment shows instead of music videos.
Paramount Global’s decision reflects the dramatic change in how audiences discover and consume music today. Listeners have moved to platforms like YouTube, Spotify, TikTok and social media, leaving traditional television music channels with declining relevance. The company is also undergoing major cost reductions following its merger with Skydance Media, while viewers increasingly expect personalised, on-demand content that television cannot provide.
MTV’s legacy remains extraordinary. When it launched in 1981 with the iconic broadcast of “Video Killed the Radio Star,” it redefined how music reached the world. For decades the channel shaped youth identity through VJ personalities, countdown shows, MTV Unplugged, The Real World, Jersey Shore and countless unforgettable cultural moments. It helped launch careers, set fashion trends and introduced entire music genres to global audiences.
The shutdown of these channels underscores a larger transformation in the music industry. Today’s discovery happens through streaming platforms, social media challenges, YouTube drops and algorithms rather than scheduled TV programming. Music culture has moved to digital spaces where fans interact directly with artists and trends spread instantly.
Although MTV’s music channels are ending, the brand will continue through MTV HD and its entertainment formats. The cultural impact of MTV, however, will remain long after the final broadcast on December 31, 2025. It was more than a channel. It was a global symbol of youth, music and the evolution of pop culture.
