After decades of broadcasting music videos, MTV will end continuous video programming as it shuts down five of its channels at the end of the year. MTV Music, MTV 80s, MTV 90s, Club MTV, and MTV Live will all go off-air after December 31, though the flagship MTV HD will continue, featuring reality shows like Naked Dating UK and Geordie Shore.

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Launched in 1981 in the US, MTV quickly became a pop culture icon, tied to major moments such as the world premiere of Michael Jackson’s ‘Thriller’ and the 16-hour broadcast of Live Aid in 1985. Viewing habits have since changed, with audiences now turning to YouTube and social media for music videos. A Paramount spokesperson declined to comment when contacted by the BBC, but fans have expressed disappointment online, blaming MTV’s fading identity for its downfall.

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Fans were notably disappointed by the news of MTV’s reshuffle, with many reminiscing on fond memories of watching some of its hit channels. One fan commented, saying, “MTV Base was the one!!”, with many others citing MTV Base as one of their favourite channels. Others spoke fondly of some of MTV’s standout TV shows, such as MTV Cribs, where celebrities would embark on a lavish tour of their homes, although it was widely suspected that their true homes were never shown. Other shocked fans expressed that MTV was a huge part of their childhoods, with another commenter saying: “I feel blessed to have experienced the peak of MTV in the early 2000’s man”. MTV Base was actually taken off air in the UK and Ireland on March 31, 2022, when it was replaced by MTV 90s.

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Historic MTV highlights included the debut of Michael Jackson’s Thriller music video, Live Aid’s broadcast, and the launch of the MTV Video Music Awards. After MTV’s American success in the 1980s, MTV Europe began in 1987, followed by a UK version in 1997, which launched with David Baddiel and Frank Skinner’s football hit Three Lions.

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Over time, MTV focused more on original shows such as Ex On The Beach and Teen Mom UK. In 2011, its main channel dropped music videos entirely, shifting them to sister stations. The MTV European Music Awards, its last major music event, is currently paused as Paramount completes a merger with Skydance Media. Though approved in July, no decision has been made on the EMAs’ future.

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Reports suggest Paramount will also shut down MTV music channels in Australia, Poland, France, and Brazil. The closures follow MTV briefly reviving round-the-clock music videos ahead of this year’s VMAs.

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