MTV is set to shut down five of its music channels in the UK on December 31, according to reports. The affected channels are MTV Music, MTV 80s, MTV 90s, Club MTV and MTV Live HD. The main MTV channel will remain unaffected.
The closures come amid a merger between Paramount Global and Skydance Media, and are attributed to the rise of streaming services. An insider described the move as 'a dark day for the music industry', adding that MTV 'was once an industry powerhouse but now is a total shell of its former self'.
Earlier this summer, MTV UK ceased production of its local music series Gonzo and Fresh Out UK, with a spokesman stating that fans could continue to enjoy global music shows on MTV and Paramount+.
The departure follows other channel reductions in the UK, such as Sky's removal of POP Max from its platforms earlier this year.
