MTV to End UK Music Channels After Nearly 40 Years

LONDON, UK — MTV, the pioneering 24-hour music broadcaster, will stop airing music videos in the UK following nearly four decades of programming. The closure, which will affect five channels—MTV Music, MTV 80s, MTV 90s, Club MTV, and MTV Live—will take place after December 31, 2025.

The decision reflects a major shift in viewing habits, as more people now watch music videos on platforms like YouTube and social media rather than on traditional television. The flagship channel, MTV HD, will remain on air, focusing on reality shows such as Naked Dating UK and Geordie Shore.

This significant change comes from Paramount, MTV’s parent company, although a spokesman declined to comment on the decision. Former MTV VJ Simone Angel expressed her sadness about the announcement, stating, “I’m really sad and a little bit in disbelief. We need to support these artists, and MTV was the place where everything came together.”

MTV first launched in the United States in 1981, featuring pop videos and hosted by charismatic VJs. It quickly made a mark in pop culture history, premiering iconic videos like Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” and showcasing significant events like the 1985 Live Aid concerts.

The European version of the channel started in 1987, and the UK had its own dedicated channel by 1997, launching with the football anthem “Three Lions” by David Baddiel and Frank Skinner. The network helped establish many now-famous presenters, including Cat Deeley and Zane Lowe, and transitioned into original programming over time.

MTV ceased airing music videos on its main UK channel back in 2011, relegating music programming to its other stations. Despite moderate viewership numbers—1.3 million for MTV Music in July—these channels are now deemed unsustainable as viewing patterns evolve.

Under the current restructuring, music channels in additional countries such as Australia, Poland, France, and Brazil are also expected to close. As part of cost-cutting measures, Paramount has sought to save $500 million globally and has already made cuts to other productions, including MTV UK shows that were canceled.

As the closure date approaches, fans have taken to social media to express their disappointment and nostalgia for a vastly influential outlet in music culture, emphasizing how MTV was once a cornerstone of youth identity.