Particle.news
Download on the App Store

MTV Shuts International 24-Hour Music Channels as Paramount Reshapes Portfolio

The closures reflect Paramount’s post‑Skydance push toward streaming-focused cost savings.

Overview

  • On December 31, 2025, Paramount ended several MTV music-only feeds — MTV Music, MTV 80s, MTV 90s, Club MTV and MTV Live — across markets including the U.K., Ireland, France, Poland, Australia and Brazil.
  • In multiple regions, the final sign-off featured The Buggles’ Video Killed the Radio Star, echoing MTV’s 1981 launch.
  • The flagship network continues, with U.S. channels such as MTV and MTV2 still on air and MTV-branded music outlets like MTV Classic, MTV Live and FAST channels on Pluto TV remaining available.
  • Paramount tied the move to portfolio consolidation and cost controls following its merger with Skydance, citing shifts in viewing toward digital platforms.
  • Widespread posts claiming MTV had closed globally were inaccurate, and reporting clarified the shutdown applied to specific international linear music channels.