It’s the end of an era for music television in the UK and beyond. After more than four decades of shaping pop culture and serving as a launchpad for countless artists, MTV’s iconic 24-hour music channels have gone dark across the UK and Ireland. As of 6am on January 1, 2026, viewers tuning in to MTV Music, MTV 80s, MTV 90s, Club MTV, or MTV Live were met with silence, marking a poignant farewell to a format that once defined youth and music fandom on both sides of the Atlantic.
Paramount Media Networks—now operating as Paramount Skydance following a major merger with Skydance Media—had announced the closures back in October 2025, but the reality has now hit home for millions of fans. The decision to shutter these channels, which had become staples on Sky and Virgin Media lineups, reflects seismic changes in how audiences consume music. As BBC News reported, the closures are part of a broader global trend: “Music videos are now more commonly consumed via YouTube and social media rather than traditional television.”
MTV’s main UK channel, now branded as MTV HD, will continue broadcasting, but its focus has shifted almost entirely to reality programming. Shows like Teen Mom, Geordie Shore—the UK’s answer to Jersey Shore—and Dating Naked UK dominate the schedule, leaving little room for the wall-to-wall music videos that once defined the MTV experience. According to the BBC, the flagship channel’s pivot is emblematic of a wider industry move away from linear music content toward reality TV and pop culture programming.
The closures in the UK are just the latest in a string of shutdowns across Europe, with Austria, Poland, and France having already lost their MTV music channels. Reports also suggest that similar moves are expected in Australia and Brazil. In the US, where regional cable feeds with music-only MTV programming have been dwindling for years, remaining contracts are set to expire soon, signaling a global sunset for the format that once made MTV a household name.
For those who grew up in the 1980s and 1990s, MTV was more than just a TV channel—it was a cultural phenomenon. The network’s VJs, including Mark Goodman, Nina Blackwood, J.J. Jackson, Alan Hunter, and Martha Quinn, became stars in their own right. They didn’t just introduce music videos; they created a sense of community and anticipation. “The 38 months I worked full-time as an MTV presenter was the best possible way to learn and develop live broadcast skills which I still utilize over twenty years later. And throughout – the main focus was always MUSIC,” former MTV VJ Neil Cole reflected, as quoted in Rolling Stone.
MTV’s influence extended far beyond music videos. Landmark shows like Jackass, Cribs, and The Osbournes redefined reality television and pop culture, while MTV News became a trusted source for music and cultural reporting. The network’s coverage of events like the world premiere of Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” and the 16-hour broadcast of Live Aid in 1985 are etched in history. And who can forget the debut of the very first music video: The Buggles’ “Video Killed the Radio Star,” a prescient choice that now feels almost poetic in light of MTV’s current fate?
Yet, as the music channels dim, the reasons behind their demise are clear. Paramount Skydance’s recent merger, led by David Ellison, has ushered in a new era of cost-cutting and restructuring. In a letter to investors, Ellison outlined plans to achieve at least $3 billion in savings and reduce the workforce by 1,600 people, according to Bloomberg. These corporate moves have coincided with a dramatic shift in audience behavior. As Syracuse.com noted, “Audiences widely turn to platforms like YouTube or Spotify for their music content and streaming, including both short and long form videos. Fewer and fewer at-home viewers even have cable.”
The mood among former MTV staff and fans is one of nostalgia and loss. Simone Angel, who worked as a VJ for both MTV Europe and MTV UK in the 1990s, told the BBC, “We need to support these artists and we all need to dance again and listen to music. And I know we do that online in our own little bubbles, but MTV was the place where everything came together. So it really does break my heart.”
For many, the end of MTV’s music channels is more than just a programming change—it’s a farewell to a shared cultural experience. As JoBlo lamented, “One of the most formative aspects of my childhood is dying, and I need somewhere to put my feelings. After forty-four years, MTV is going the way of the dodo. Pour one out, folks, because MTV’s remaining 24-hour music channels will soon shut down globally.” The piece went on to recall the emotional impact of moments like Kurt Loder breaking the news of Kurt Cobain’s death live on air, underscoring just how intertwined MTV was with the fabric of music history.
The closures have also sparked broader questions about the future of cable television. As Nerdist observed, “Cable channels are failing to the point where parent companies are trying to ditch them. Paramount Skydance may be starting to do what they can to cut costs across underperforming stations and what starts in the UK can easily spread.” The sentiment is echoed by industry insiders who see the move as part of a larger trend—one that may soon engulf other beloved channels as streaming platforms continue to dominate.
Despite the heartbreak, MTV’s legacy remains undeniable. From launching the careers of countless artists to creating unforgettable television moments, the network’s impact on music and pop culture endures. As ABBA might put it—MTV, thank you for the music.
As the dust settles on this chapter, one thing is certain: the way we experience music has changed forever. The communal thrill of waiting for a world premiere, the excitement of seeing your favorite band on the big screen, and the shared language of MTV’s visual and musical style are now memories. But for those who lived through it, MTV’s golden age will always be a part of who they are.
