Three letters that defined a generation: MTV. It burst onto American screens in 1981, forever changing how the world experienced music. The very first video? “Video Killed the Radio Star” by The Buggles — a song that proved oddly prophetic.
After expanding to Europe in 1987, MTV became the heartbeat of pop culture, a global stage where music met rebellion. It gave us iconic artists like Madonna, David Bowie, and Mick Jagger, and later, teen dramas and reality shows that defined youth culture. The moon-landing logo, the explosive Video Music Awards, the thrill of discovering new sounds — MTV wasn’t just a channel; it was a movement.
But on Dec. 31, 2025, that movement will officially end. Paramount Global has announced the shutdown of five beloved channels — MTV Music, MTV 80s, MTV 90s, Club MTV, and MTV Live — marking the close of an era. The shutdown begins in the UK and Ireland, with France, Germany, Austria, Poland, Hungary, Australia, and Brazil expected to follow.
MTV once killed the radio star — now it’s being replaced by the internet. As streaming platforms and social media reshape the music landscape, long-form videos and cable channels no longer fit the tempo of a digital world. Why wait for a music video when a 10-second TikTok can launch a global hit?
From the moonwalking astronaut to the first chords of a new generation, MTV gave sound and vision to youth culture for more than four decades. Now, as the screen fades to static, it leaves behind more than just nostalgia — it leaves a question: what comes after the music video?
