October 15, 2025 | 12:17 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The channel where people once got their daily dose of pop culture before YouTube, Instagram, and other social media platforms, MTV is reportedly set to shut down by the end of 2025. After four decades in operation, the iconic 24-hour youth culture-maker will close down five of its music-focused channels in the UK.
Which MTV channels are shutting down?
Although rumours have circulated that MTV as a whole is shutting down, a report by Mint and E! News clarified that the closure doesn’t include the network’s flagship channel, MTV HD, which continues to air reality series such as Naked Dating UK and Geordie Shore. Specifically, the affected channels are MTV Music, MTV 80s, MTV 90s, MTV Live, and Club MTV.
Reasons behind MTV’s shutdown
The underlying cause, as noted by Yahoo! Creators, stems from various factors. One major reason is the broader shift in media consumption, where the internet has essentially replaced MTV’s original purpose of airing music videos 24/7.
Platforms like YouTube and TikTok now offer instant access to music and pop culture content, removing the need for scheduled television programming. This shift is clearly reflected in the decline in viewership numbers. In July, MTV Music attracted just 1.3 million viewers, while MTV 90s drew 949,000.
In addition to changing media habits, cost-cutting has also played a significant role. According to The Economic Times, the merger of Paramount Global with Skydance Media earlier in 2025 accelerated the closures as part of a $500 million global cost-cutting strategy. This measure led to layoffs affecting MTV’s local productions, ultimately resulting in the cancellation of original programs such as Gonzo and Fresh Out UK.
Marking the end of MTV UK: 1997–2025
Launched in the US in 1981, MTV expanded to Europe in 1987. It wasn’t until a decade later that the UK got its own dedicated MTV channel. With its scheduled shutdown at the end of 2025, former MTV video jockey Simone Angel expressed her emotions: “I’m really sad, and I’m a little bit in disbelief. I know it’s been a long time coming.”
Despite the closures, the MTV brand will remain active on social media platforms and Paramount’s streaming service, Paramount+, with staples like the MTV Video Music Awards continuing to air in the US.
Editor’s Choice: BLACKPINK's Rose Wins 2025 MTV VMAs Song of the Year for "APT."
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