After decades as a staple of British music television, MTV is set to dramatically scale back its UK presence by closing all five of its dedicated music channels on 31 December 2025.

A report in The Sun newspaper says the broadcaster will discontinue MTV Music, MTV 80s, MTV 90s, Club MTV, and MTV Live HD, leaving only the flagship MTV channel — now primarily a reality-TV network — in operation.

The move forms part of a broader restructuring linked to the merger between Paramount Global and Skydance, which has prompted widespread changes across MTV’s European operations, as we reported earlier in the year. In recent years, many regional MTV music channels across Europe have been replaced with uniform “global feeds” that no longer feature local advertising or presenters. Until now, the UK had maintained its own versions with tailored schedules and ad breaks — but that distinction appears to be ending.

Earlier in 2025, MTV UK pulled most of its local production, cancelling long-running shows such as Gonzo and Fresh Out UK, and reducing its workforce. The rebranding of MTV Hits to Club MTV in April was another sign of consolidation ahead of the full shutdown later in the year.

This decision marks more than simple cost-cutting. It represents a clear acknowledgment that linear music television has been overtaken by streaming services, YouTube, and social platforms where audiences curate their own playlists. Traditional music TV no longer holds the same cultural sway it once did.

For many viewers, the closure of MTV’s UK music channels will feel like the end of an era — a final farewell to the network that once defined music television. But for the next generation, MTV’s legacy now lives online, not on the TV schedule.