MTV closes several dedicated music channels, signaling the end of an era — but the network itself isn’t disappearing

End of an Era for Music Television

January 2, 2026:  MTV’s long-running music channels officially signed off at the end of 2025, marking one of the biggest shifts in the brand’s history. After decades of nonstop video programming, the network has shut down multiple music-only feeds around the world — a symbolic moment that reflects just how dramatically audiences now consume music.

Which Channels Went Dark?

The shutdown affects several specialty channels once dedicated entirely to music videos and themed playlists, including:

MTV Music

MTV 80s

MTV 90s

Club MTV

MTV Live

In many regions across Europe, the U.K., Australia, and South America, viewers who tune in now simply see holding screens directing them toward MTV’s main channel or digital platforms. For fans who grew up with these stations as their soundtrack, the change feels like the closing of a cultural chapter.

Why MTV Made the Move

The decision ties directly to evolving viewing habits. Today, most music discovery happens through streaming services, social platforms, and on-demand video — not scheduled television blocks.

As audiences migrated online, ratings for linear music channels declined. At the same time, MTV’s parent company has been restructuring operations, focusing resources on content that performs better globally and across digital ecosystems.

In short: music still matters to MTV — but the format that defined the network simply no longer fits how people watch.

Is MTV Going Away Completely?

No — the MTV brand is not shutting down.

The main MTV channel continues to broadcast, now centered on reality shows, pop-culture programs, competition series, and entertainment specials. Over the past decade, MTV gradually shifted from all-music programming toward original content — and the latest channel closures solidify that evolution.

Meanwhile, music content continues to live on MTV’s digital platforms, social channels, and cross-platform streaming partnerships.

What This Means for Fans

For longtime viewers, the transition feels bittersweet. MTV’s dedicated music channels once shaped trends, launched artists, and defined youth culture across generations.

But the network is clearly building toward a future where music lives alongside broader entertainment storytelling — rather than occupying entire channels on its own.

As viewing continues to shift online, MTV’s legacy survives in a new form — still influential, still global, and still adapting to the ways audiences discover both music and culture today.