For decades, turning on MTV meant music videos all day, every day. It was the place where new artists emerged, trends started, and teens learned lyrics before streaming took over. But now, that iconic sound has faded a bit more.
On December 31, 2025, MTV shut down several of its music-only channels, marking the end of 24-hour music broadcasting. This decision was announced in October and surprised many fans, but it felt like a change that had been coming for a while. MTV first launched on August 1, 1981, with “Video Killed the Radio Star” by the Buggles as its very first music video. In a full-circle moment, that same video was the last one played on MTV Music before it went off the air.
Former MTV DJ Daisy Fuentes shared her thoughts on the change, saying, “While it’s a bit sad, it’s been a bit sad for a while. MTV had its time, and it’s time to change.” She emphasized that just like people evolve, so must MTV.
But don’t worry—MTV isn’t shutting down completely. The main channel will still air regular programming, including popular shows like The Challenge and RuPaul’s Drag Race. In fact, MTV was ranked as the 49th most popular cable network in 2025, even ahead of Comedy Central.
Several international music-focused channels, like MTV Music, MTV 80s, MTV 90s, Club MTV, and MTV Live, went dark at the end of 2025. Viewers in countries like the UK, Ireland, France, and Australia were affected. Each channel signed off in its own way, with MTV Music ending on “Video Killed the Radio Star” and MTV 90s closing with the Spice Girls’ “Goodbye.” Now, those channels show a loop of logos and a message directing viewers to the main channel, MTV HD.
MTV and its parent company, Paramount, haven’t explained the shutdown, but it seems to be part of a larger trend. Earlier in 2025, MTV paused several award shows as part of cost-cutting measures related to a major merger.
