MTV is discontinuing many of its remaining 24-hour music channels globally after December 31, 2025. The shutdown affects stations in countries including the UK, Australia, Poland, France, and Brazil. This move is part of cost-cutting efforts by parent company Paramount Skydance following a recent merger.
MTV, once a pioneer in music video broadcasting, is ending operations for several dedicated music channels as of December 31, 2025. The announcement came in October 2025, marking the close of an era that began with the network's 1981 launch. In the UK, five channels are going off air: MTV Music, which debuted in 2011; MTV 80s; MTV 90s; Club MTV; and MTV Live. Notably, MTV Music concluded its programming with The Buggles' "Video Killed the Radio Star," the very first video aired on the original US MTV.
Paramount Skydance, MTV's parent, plans to shutter similar music-only channels in Australia, Poland, France, and Brazil. Representatives for MTV in the US have not commented on the complete list of affected channels. Despite these cuts, MTV's main channels in the UK and other regions will continue, shifting focus to reality programming rather than music videos, similar to the US model.
This decision stems from broader cost-saving measures after Paramount Skydance's merger earlier in 2025. CEO David Ellison remains committed to revitalizing MTV and other cable assets, though specifics are unclear. A September 2025 Wall Street Journal report highlighted discussions with music industry figures like Irving Azoff and Lucian Grainge, as well as unnamed major artists, on potential strategies. Ideas include transforming MTV into a streaming service to compete with platforms like Spotify and YouTube.
Earlier in the year, in February 2025, MTV canceled events such as the MTV Europe Music Awards and the MTV Latin America MIAW Awards as part of ongoing reductions.
