Viewers across the UK are set for massive disappointment after an iconic music channel announced it is shutting down.
Over the past 44 years, people across the world have been able to tune into music videos throughout the day with tunes blaring out of their speakers.
However, that’s all set to change after MTV confirmed it is making sweeping changes to its broadcasting output.
The UK formerly had MTV Music, MTV 80s, MTV 90s, Club MTV, and MTV Live, along with MTV proper on its channels.
Now there’s only going to be the latter of those stations as all the sister channels are being shut down from January 1, 2026.
To find out why and whether the US is also shutting down its channels, Metro has taken a deep dive below.
Why is MTV shutting down?
A deal between Paramount Global and Skydance Media was finalised in 2024, but for several years, major cuts were being poised by the company.
The main reason behind it is due to viewers not watching traditional music on TV anymore.
With the likes of YouTube, TikTok and Spotify taking over, fewer viewers are watching MTV which means less advertisement money and cost-cutting.
This has all culminated in Paramount Skydance shifting towards digital and streaming content.
‘It’s a dark day for the music industry. MTV was once an industry powerhouse but now is a total shell of its former self,’ a source told Metro.
Although the flagship MTV channel will remain on air, the network only really airs reality TV shows at this point.
Is it shutting down in the US?
Currently, it’s not yet known whether the UK stoppage will lead to a global end to these themed channels.
In the US, while it has not been confirmed, cuts to these types of channels are extremely likely.
American faces a similar issue to the UK with dwindling viewers on MTV.
In addition to the UK, there have already been a few regions that have seen the closure of MTV channels, such as Austria, Poland, and France.
Though five of MTV’s music channels are shutting down after New Year’s Eve, the network’s flagship channel, MTV HD, will still air in the UK.
What was the first music video shown on MTV?
The first music video on MTV, which launched on August 1, 1981, was rather fittingly ‘Video Killed the Radio Star’ by The Buggles, which was prophetic for what has followed.
MTV Music first launched as a nonstop music channel in February 2011 for viewers in the UK and Ireland, before spreading around the world, after it originally began in the US in 1981.
MTV 80s was officially launched in 2022 as a permanent replacement for MTV Classic, while MTV 90s was launched in 2022 in place of MTV Base.
Club MTV, which focuses on techno, trance, electronica, hip hop and other dance genres, first hit TV in 2011.
It was shut down in July 2020, but relaunched in April of this year in place of MTV Hits – but it seems the comeback is short lived given news of the wider cuts.
Meanwhile, MTV Live HD officially launched in 2012, having previously been known as MTVNHD from 2008.
This article was originally published on October 10, 2025.
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