Buenos Aires, January 1 (NA) – Paramount Global confirmed on December 31, 2025, the definitive closure of five of its most emblematic music channels: MTV Music, MTV 80s, MTV 90s, Club MTV, and MTV Live. The decision, which began to take effect as of January 1, 2026, represents not only a business move but also the symbolic end of an era that forever transformed the relationship between music, image, and the public. The shutdown of these channels marks the twilight of a global cultural phenomenon. Since its emergence in the 80s, MTV became a central platform for launching artists, trends, and aesthetics that defined generations. MTV leaves an indelible cultural legacy, although its classic television format is now permanently off the air. #AgenciaNA
It was also the stage for historical milestones, such as the memorable interview with David Bowie in which he questioned the scant representation of African American artists on the channel's programming. However, the advance of the digital revolution irreversibly altered consumption habits. The growth of platforms like YouTube, Spotify, and TikTok displaced television as the primary means of musical discovery. In 2011, MTV stopped airing music videos regularly on its main signal, shifting that content to secondary channels, an early sign of the decline of the traditional model. As of January 1, MTV's music channels have ceased to exist in countries such as the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Germany, Austria, Poland, Hungary, Australia, and Brazil. Moments like the premiere of Michael Jackson's "Thriller" video in 1983, or the intimate MTV Unplugged concerts, redefined the bond between musicians and audiences, taking the musical experience beyond sound. MTV was not just a television channel; it was a creative laboratory that shaped contemporary pop culture. Although Paramount Global did not confirm dates for Latin America, industry sources indicate that the measure would be global. The MTV brand, however, will not disappear completely. It will remain active through digital platforms, social networks, and flagship events like the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) and the Europe Music Awards (EMAs). On its screens, grunge, pop, and hip-hop coexisted without borders, with artists like Nirvana, Britney Spears, Pearl Jam, and Tupac Shakur as protagonists of an audiovisual narrative that transcended languages and geographies. The business focus will be on on-demand content and entertainment, with shows like "Teen Mom" and "Geordie Shore," definitively leaving behind its original 24/7 music concept. IP
For many, the closure symbolizes the end of an era when music was shared in front of a screen and not through algorithms.
