MTV's Music Era Ends: 24-Hour Channels Shut Down After 44 Years

• MTV ceased broadcasting its 24-hour music channels (MTV Music, MTV 80s, MTV 90s, etc.) on December 31, 2025, after 44 years.
• The shutdown is primarily due to the dominance of digital streaming platforms like YouTube and Spotify, making linear TV music economically unviable.
• Cost-cutting measures following the $8 billion Paramount-Skydance merger in August 2025 also contributed to the decision.
• MTV Music bid farewell playing 'Video Killed the Radio Star,' the same song that launched MTV in 1981, completing a full circle.
• The main MTV channel will continue, shifting its focus from music to reality shows like 'RuPaul’s Drag Race' and 'The Challenge'.

Why It Matters: MTV's iconic 24-hour music channels are gone, replaced by streaming and reality TV.