For decades, MTV was more than a television network. It was a cultural force that shaped how music was discovered, consumed, and remembered. So when news broke that MTV shut down its 24-hour music video channels, longtime viewers felt a familiar ache—the sense that something foundational had slipped into history.
The moment carried symbolism. As reported in Yahoo! Entertainment, the final broadcast paid tribute to the very beginning of the network’s legacy. The channels signed off by airing “Video Killed the Radio Star,” the same video that launched MTV in 1981. For many who grew up glued to the screen, the way MTV shut down felt less like a business decision and more like a quiet goodbye to a shared past.
How MTV Shut Down Its Music-Only Channels
MTV Music’s last song was Video Killed The Radio Star pic.twitter.com/48WNnbgesb
— Jono Read (@jonoread) December 31, 2025
The announcement came earlier in the fall, with confirmation that MTV’s 24/7 music channels would permanently go dark in 2025. This decision affected multiple international stations, including MTV Music, MTV 80s, MTV 90s, Club MTV, and MTV Live in the United Kingdom. Each channel marked its final hours with carefully chosen videos, turning the shutdown into a reflective farewell rather than an abrupt ending.
The flagship MTV Music channel concluded its decades-long run on New Year’s Eve by returning to where it all began. According to the report, the channel ended “the way it began,” once again playing “Video Killed the Radio Star.” When MTV shut down these channels, viewers tuning in afterward were met only with rotating logos directing them elsewhere, reinforcing the sense that a familiar ritual had vanished.
What Comes After MTV Shut Down Music Television
While MTV shut down its music-focused channels, the brand itself is not disappearing. Much of MTV’s programming has already shifted away from music videos, favoring reality television and entertainment formats that dominate its current lineup. The reference article notes that neither MTV nor its parent company has clarified the brand’s future direction in the United States.
There are hints of reinvention ahead. Paramount’s leadership has spoken about revitalizing MTV and other cable properties, though details remain unclear. Still, the closure of music-only channels—along with the cancellation of several awards shows—signals a decisive turning point. When MTV shut down the channels that once defined it, the network closed a chapter that helped shape generations of music lovers.