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Culture

End of an era: MTV to close multiple U.K. music channels

Five U.K. MTV music channels will go dark at the end of the year, marking another major shift for the once music-first network.

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Five U.K. MTV music channels will shut down at the end of the year, closing the curtain on four decades of music television. (Courtesy: IG/mtv)

What to know

  • MTV is shutting down five U.K. channels, MTV Music, MTV 80s, MTV 90s, Club MTV and MTV Live, effective Dec. 31, ending a 40-year run in the region.
  • The flagship channel MTV HD will remain on air, continuing to focus primarily on reality television programming.
  • The shutdown is part of a broader global pullback by MTV’s parent company, Paramount, following its merger with Skydance Media.
  • MTV’s long pop culture legacy includes launching in 1981, expanding worldwide, and previously operating a Toronto-based channel that closed in 2024.

As the year comes to an end, so IS one of pop culture’s most iconic television stations in history as MTV is shutting down five stations in the U.K after 40 years.

According to the BBC, MTV Music, MTV 80’s, MTV 90’s, Club MTV and MTV Live will no longer air after Dec. 31. 

Despite the cancellation, the flagship channel MTV HD will remain on the air and continue to showcase reality television shows.

MTV first launched in 1981 and immediately went on to become a pillar of pop culture. In the 21st century the network gained even more prominence airing legendary reality television shows, such as Jersey Shore, Catfish, The Hills and Teen Mom

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The network, which has spawned dozens of stations across the globe, was also stationed in Toronto for 18 years before it was shut down a year ago on Dec. 31 2024. 

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The station launched in 2006 under Bell Media and was known for launching the career of actor Dan Levy, and the flagship half hour show MTV Live which ran for six seasons. 

According to media reports, MTV’s parent company Paramount, is expected to pull the plug on MTV music channels in France, Poland, Brazil, and Australia.

These moves come months after Paramount merged with entertainment company Skydance Media and is currently in a bidding war to purchase Warner Bros. 

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It’s unknown whether MTV channels in the U.S. could also see potential shutdowns at this time.

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