After more than four decades of defining music television, MTV will shut down five of its iconic music channels by December 31, 2025, due to shifting audience habits and industry changes. The affected channels include MTV Music, MTV 80s, MTV 90s, Club MTV, and MTV Live.
Why MTV Is Shutting Down Music Channels
The rise of digital platforms such as YouTube, Spotify, and TikTok has drastically transformed how people consume music, leading to declining viewership on traditional music TV channels. As music discovery increasingly shifts online, MTV’s linear music channels have become financially unsustainable amid this viewership drop.
Paramount Global’s 2025 merger with Skydance Media accelerated cost-cutting efforts, reinforcing the decision to close these music-focused channels as part of a broader $500 million global savings initiative.
What’s Changing
MTV’s main channel will continue operating but with a focus on reality shows rather than music content, marking a clear evolution of the brand’s identity. The shutdown will initially impact the UK and Ireland, followed by a phased closure across Europe, Australia, Brazil, Poland, and France, among other regions.
Fan Reactions and Legacy
Fans express nostalgia and sadness as these channels represent a formative part of music and pop culture history for generations. Criticism is also directed at MTV for shifting away from music content and not evolving fast enough with digital trends.
Conclusion
MTV’s shutdown of its dedicated music channels symbolizes the end of an era in the traditional music TV landscape. While the music channels will cease broadcasting, MTV remains present digitally and through its reality TV programming, adapting to the current media environment.
This move is a stark reflection of the broader transformation in how audiences now engage with music and entertainment, favoring on-demand and streaming platforms over scheduled TV programming.