MTV’s music networks shut down worldwide by December 2025

MTV’s music networks shut down worldwide by December 2025

After nearly four decades of shaping global music and youth culture, MTV is shutting down five of its most loved music channels by December 31, 2025. The announcement by parent company Paramount Global marks the end of an era that began in 1981, when MTV revolutionized how the world experienced music and pop culture.

A spokesperson for Paramount declined to comment further, but the network confirmed that several long-running music channels will permanently go off-air.

The channels being shut down

The closure includes:
MTV Music – The flagship music video channel that became the heart of MTV’s global identity.
MTV 80s – A nostalgic channel featuring classic hits from the 1980s.
MTV 90s – Dedicated to alternative rock and pop favourites from the 1990s.

Club MTV – Focused on dance, EDM, and club hits.
MTV Live – Known for broadcasting live performances, concerts, and festival specials.

The flagship MTV HD will remain operational but will focus mainly on reality shows and entertainment content such as Geordie Shore and Naked Dating UK, signaling MTV’s evolution away from its music-only roots.

Which regions will be affected

The first shutdowns will occur in the UK and Ireland, followed by gradual closures across Europe, Australia, Brazil, France, and Poland. Each region’s timeline may vary, but the end date for most is expected to align with the end of 2025.

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Why MTV is making this move

The decision reflects a fundamental shift in how audiences consume music. Music videos—once the cornerstone of MTV’s identity—are now watched primarily on YouTube, TikTok, and other streaming platforms. Linear television has lost its grip on the music discovery space, and maintaining multiple regional music channels no longer makes financial sense.

The move also aligns with Paramount Global’s larger cost-cutting initiative, which aims to reduce expenses by roughly $500 million worldwide. Earlier this year, the company also shut down Paramount Television Studios and several UK-based MTV productions like Gonzo and Fresh Out UK.

Audience numbers tell the story

Recent data from UK rating agency Barb shows that MTV’s music channels have been attracting relatively small audiences. In July, MTV Music drew about 1.3 million viewers, while MTV 90s pulled in around 949,000, a far cry from the brand’s heyday in the 1990s and early 2000s.

The bigger picture

For fans who grew up watching music videos on television, this shutdown is more than a business decision, it’s the end of a cultural era. MTV once defined the intersection of music, fashion, and rebellion. Now, it’s becoming clear that the spirit of MTV lives on in algorithms and streaming feeds rather than cable television.