Paramount Shuts Down Most MTV Music Channels in Europe

Paramount will shut down most of MTV's linear music channels across Europe on December 31, marking the end of continuous video clip programming that defined the network's global rise.

The decision targets key signals including MTV Music, MTV 80s, MTV 90s, Club MTV, and MTV Live. While the MTV brand endures, it will pivot fully to streaming content, reflecting a sharp decline in traditional TV viewership and a shift toward on-demand digital consumption.

MTV had long moved away from music at its core, filling schedules with reality shows and entertainment formats instead. Surviving music channels often served as nostalgic outlets, looping clips from the 1980s, 1990s, and 2000s. The closure spans the vast majority of European markets, though its precise effects will vary by local operator.

Paramount emphasized that MTV's music content and vast historical archive remain accessible via its digital platforms, streaming services, and social media. Major events like the MTV Video Music Awards persist as industry staples; the 2025 edition even expanded reach with a simultaneous broadcast on the US network CBS.

This move underscores a broader industry trend: music's primary home has migrated from television to online platforms.