The MTV Era Ends, But Lives On Online
On December 31, 2025, MTV music channels officially ceased broadcasting in many countries.
The iconic network, a synonym for music videos for over 40 years, closed under the same song it started with in 1981 – Video Killed the Radio Star.
Main Reasons for Closure:
▪️ Declining reach: in the UK, the audience fell from 10 million households in 2001 to 1.3 million in 2025.
▪️ Competition: YouTube, TikTok, and streaming services completely transformed music consumption.
▪️ Cost-cutting: brand owner Paramount Skydance is slashing expenses by $500 million.
However, fans refused to let the legend fade. The MTV Rewind project was launched – an online platform with an archive of 27,000 music videos (from the 70s to today). No algorithms, ads, or reality shows – just the pure spirit of old MTV with random video playback and nostalgic programs like Yo! MTV Raps.
