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Paramount Global announced that it will discontinue five of its MTV-branded music channels on December 31, 2025, concluding over four decades of continuous music broadcasting under the MTV name.
The affected channels are MTV Music, MTV 80s, MTV 90s, Club MTV, and MTV Live.
The closures are part of Paramount Global’s global cost-reduction program and restructuring efforts following its merger with Skydance Media earlier this year.
The company stated that the decision reflects changes in audience viewing habits and a strategic emphasis on streaming and digital content platforms.
The process will begin in the United Kingdom and Ireland and will extend to other markets, including France, Germany, Austria, Poland, Hungary, Australia and Brazil, before the final shutdown at the end of 2025.
While these five channels will cease operations, the primary MTV HD channel will remain active, focusing primarily on entertainment and reality-based programming.
MTV first launched in 1981 in the United States with “Video Killed the Radio Star” by The Buggles, a symbolic beginning to its impact on global music and youth culture.
Over the following decades, MTV expanded internationally, producing signature programs such as MTV Unplugged and The Real World and hosting major global events, including the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) and European Music Awards (EMAs).
Paramount confirmed that the MTV brand will continue through its digital media presence, award shows and live events despite the closure of the music channels.
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