MTV Shuts Down 24-Hour Music Channels in the United Kingdom
MTV Shuts Down 24-Hour Music Channels in the United Kingdom – Global music television giant MTV has officially shut down five of its 24-hour music channels in the United Kingdom, marking the end of an era in music broadcasting.
The affected channels — MTV Music, MTV 80s, MTV 90s, Club MTV and MTV Live — stopped broadcasting on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, according to multiple reports.
BBC journalist Jono Read captured the final moments of MTV Music, which ended with The Buggles’ 1979 hit “Video Killed the Radio Star”, the first music video ever aired on MTV, followed by a sign-off animation and a ticker reading: “MTV Music is now closed. Continue watching over at MTV.”
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While the flagship MTV HD UK channel remains on air, the move reflects a long-term shift away from music-only programming towards reality television and digital platforms.
MTV, launched in 1981, revolutionised the television industry by airing music videos 24 hours a day and played a pivotal role in promoting artists across genres, including its historic embrace of Black artists such as Michael Jackson.
The closure is seen as another sign of changing media consumption habits in the digital age.
