Sky and Virgin Media TV subscribers will soon find a reduction in available channels, particularly affecting music services. The decision to remove several MTV stations, including MTV Music, MTV 80s, MTV 90s, Club MTV, and MTV Live, was initially announced in October. These iconic channels are scheduled to stop airing starting tomorrow, December 31, as indicated in updated TV schedules.
Users checking the telly planner on these platforms will encounter a message stating, “This channel is now closed.” The shift towards streaming platforms like YouTube and apps such as TikTok has contributed to the decline in traditional TV viewership, leading to the discontinuation of MTV services after almost four decades of music television broadcasting.
A source mentioned to The Sun that MTV has been impacted by the rising popularity of streaming services, describing it as a challenging time for the music industry. Despite this setback, MTV HD will continue to be accessible for viewers, featuring reality shows like Naked Dating UK and Geordie Shore, while the music-focused channels are being discontinued.
MTV services in certain regions like Asia, Australia, and Latin America are also reportedly facing closure. Over the years, MTV has played a significant role in shaping youth culture and launching music and television careers since its establishment in 1981, revolutionizing music consumption, marketing, and visualization.
In addition to the MTV channels, four children’s TV channels, including Pop, Tiny Pop, Pop+1, and Tiny Pop+1, are set to be permanently removed from the listings by the end of the year. In total, nine channels will be disappearing from Sky and Virgin Media TV, reflecting the evolving landscape of television programming preferences.