It is a sad announcement for those who spent much of their adolescence on the sofa, eagerly waiting to see the music videos of their favorite songs and artists.
After decades of delighting music lovers, MTV is set to ‘sign off’.
The entertainment giant Paramount Global has revealed that, after 44 years of continuous broadcasting, it will cease operations of five of its channels, namely: MTV Music, MTV 80s, MTV 90s, Club MTV, and MTV Live, by the end of 2025.
The shutdown will first occur in the United Kingdom and Ireland, followed by France, Germany, Austria, Poland, Hungary, Australia, and Brazil. These channels are expected to stop airing across Europe by the end of this year.
This decision is a part of the company’s aggressive cost-cutting measures. Notably, Paramount Global merged with Skydance Media this year.
Beyond financial considerations, the decision aligns with changes in content consumption habits, as many fans have shifted to digital options.
MTV, a music channel broadcasting music videos 24 hours a day, will see these closures, though it’s important to note that the main channel, MTV HD, will remain operational, continuing to air reality shows like ‘Naked Dating UK’ and ‘Geordie Shore’.
The channel was launched in the United States in 1981 to showcase the most popular music videos, as recalled by E!News. The first video ever aired on the network was ‘Video Killed the Radio Star’ by The Buggles.
MTV Europe followed six years later, in 1987, and in 1997 the UK officially received its dedicated channel.
