MTV Ends Final Music-Only Channels with ‘Video Killed The Radio Star’ Farewell

MTV’s last dedicated music video channels have shut down, closing a vibrant chapter with the iconic “Video Killed The Radio Star.”

The End of an Era: MTV’s Music Video Channels Sign Off

If you grew up with MTV as the go-to place for music videos, brace yourself—those days have officially come to a close. On December 31, 2025, MTV bid farewell to its last 24-hour music video channels in the UK, turning off the lights on MTV Music, MTV 80s, MTV 90s, Club MTV, and MTV Live. Platforms like Sky and Virgin Media no longer carry these channels, signaling a clean break from the network’s original music-centric identity.

The flagship MTV channel in the UK remains, but don’t expect music videos to make a comeback there—it has shifted its focus almost entirely to reality TV series, a move that has been in motion for over a decade.

As a poignant final act, MTV played the 1979 new wave classic “Video Killed The Radio Star” by The Buggles—a symbolic nod to the very first video ever aired on MTV in the US back in 1981. It felt like a perfect full-circle moment, a bittersweet reminder of the channel’s roots.

Global Shutdowns Echo the Shift in Music Consumption

MTV’s parent company, Paramount Skydance, hasn’t just pulled the plug in the UK. Across Ireland, Germany, Austria, Poland, France, Hungary, Australia, and Brazil, the same music-only channels have been shuttered. This global move underscores a hard truth: traditional TV music videos are no longer the cultural force they once were.

For those nostalgic souls, here’s The Buggles’ "Video Killed The Radio Star" to relive the magic:

“There are now officially zero MTV channels in the UK that play actual music.”

— PumpkinSpider (@PumpkinSpider) on December 31, 2025

MTV’s Storied History: From Music Video Pioneer to Reality TV Hub

Let’s rewind a bit. MTV burst onto the scene in 1981, revolutionizing music consumption by marrying sound and visuals in a way no one had done before. The channel’s first music video was indeed The Buggles’ “Video Killed The Radio Star”—a track that now serves as a fitting epitaph.

Following this, MTV Europe launched in 1987 with Dire Straits’ “Money For Nothing” kicking off its programming. MTV UK came along a decade later in 1997 but stopped regularly airing music videos by 2011, marking a pivot point.

MTV wasn’t just a music channel; it was a cultural touchstone. It helped launch and cement iconic moments like Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” video premiere and the epic 16-hour broadcast of the Live Aid concerts in 1985. For many, MTV was synonymous with the very pulse of pop culture.

But as the years ticked by, viewers migrated to new platforms. YouTube, social media, and streaming services became the new homes for music videos, fundamentally changing how audiences engage with music content. MTV’s move away from music videos was a survival tactic, adapting to shifting habits.

From Music Videos to Reality TV and Beyond

By 2011, MTV UK had pivoted to original programming like Ex On The Beach and Teen Mom UK, pushing all music content to its sister channels. The annual MTV European Music Awards remained a rare nod to music.

In August 2025, Paramount Global’s $8 billion merger with Skydance Media set a new tone for the brand’s future. CEO David Ellison reportedly sought to streamline operations and explore fresh avenues for MTV, including talks about transforming it into a streaming service rivaling YouTube and Spotify. It’s a bold step, hinting that MTV’s legacy might continue in a new form—just not on traditional TV.

What do you think? Is this the end of MTV as we knew it, or just the start of its next chapter?

FAQ

• When did MTV stop airing music videos on its UK channel?
  MTV UK ceased regular music video broadcasts in 2011, shifting its focus to reality TV and original programming.
• What was the first music video ever aired on MTV?
  The Buggles’ “Video Killed The Radio Star” was the first video to air when MTV launched in 1981.
• Are there any MTV channels still dedicated to music videos?
  As of December 31, 2025, all dedicated MTV music video channels in the UK and several other countries have been closed.
• What kind of programming does MTV focus on now?
  MTV primarily broadcasts reality TV shows and original content, with music programming largely confined to special events like the MTV European Music Awards.
• Is MTV planning to launch a streaming service?
  Following the Paramount Skydance merger, there have been discussions about turning MTV into an online streaming platform to compete with services like YouTube and Spotify.

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