Sky and Virgin Media TV subscribers will soon have fewer channels available for viewing, including popular music services, starting tomorrow. In an announcement made last October, it was revealed that several MTV stations would be taken off the air, with only a day left to enjoy these iconic channels. The updated TV schedules confirm that MTV Music, MTV 80s, MTV 90s, Club MTV, and MTV Live will no longer broadcast as of December 31.
Viewers checking the platforms’ TV planners will now see a message stating, “This channel is now closed.”
The decision to discontinue these channels stems from the changing landscape of television consumption. With a shift towards streaming platforms and a decline in traditional TV viewership, MTV has become another casualty of this trend. Many individuals now prefer to access music content through online platforms like YouTube and popular apps such as TikTok.
According to a source speaking to The Sun, MTV has suffered due to the rise of streaming services. The source described it as a “dark day for the music industry,” noting that MTV, once a dominant force, has now diminished in its influence.
Reports suggest that MTV services in various regions, including parts of Asia, Australia, and Latin America, are also facing discontinuation.
While the music-oriented channels are being phased out, MTV HD will remain accessible, continuing to feature reality shows like Naked Dating UK and Geordie Shore.
Since its inception in 1981, MTV has played a pivotal role in shaping youth culture and launching music and TV careers, revolutionizing the music industry’s consumption, marketing, and visualization.
The closure of MTV channels is not the only change on the horizon. Additionally, four children’s TV channels – Pop, Tiny Pop, Pop+1, and Tiny Pop+1 – are set to be permanently removed from listings by the end of the year.
In total, nine channels are expected to disappear from Sky and Virgin Media TV lineups.