For generations who grew up discovering music through MTV, an era is officially coming to an end. Paramount Global has announced that by December 31, 2025, five MTV channels will go dark, marking the closure of a cultural icon that defined youth and pop culture for over four decades.
MTV changed how the world experienced music when it launched in 1981 with The Buggles’ “Video Killed the Radio Star” — a song that proved prophetic. As television once eclipsed radio, digital platforms have now taken over from TV.
The decision follows Paramount Global’s merger with Skydance Media and its aggressive cost-cutting strategy. But more than a financial move, it reflects a fundamental shift in how audiences consume music. YouTube, TikTok, and Spotify have turned the experience of discovering music into something deeply personal and on-demand.
The shutdown will begin in the UK and Ireland, extending to France, Germany, Poland, Hungary, Australia, and Brazil. Channels like MTV Music, MTV 80s, MTV 90s, Club MTV, and MTV Live will cease broadcasting.
From Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” premiere to Nirvana’s grunge revolution, from “MTV Unplugged” to the unforgettable VMA moments, MTV was more than a channel—it was a movement. Though the network will continue through digital platforms and major events like the VMAs and EMAs, its exit from traditional television marks the true end of the music TV era.