Television fans have been wondering what happened to MTV, which launched on August 1st, 1981. It has been rumored that the network officially closed down shop at the end of 2025 and is gone for good. So, what is the truth, and will viewers see it again? Keep reading for all of the details.
Did MTV Really Close Down?
When MTV first launched in 1981 in New York City, New York, it was a huge deal as it played music videos 24/7. This introduced a new format to music lovers, but it also gave way to VJs. They brought the videos to life while interviewing the artists, and it connected music fans all over the world. From music videos came countdown shows like TRL (Total Request Live). However, reality television such as The Real World and Road Rules soon started to creep in. Then, Catfish, Teen Mom, and Laguna Beach dominated, making music videos obsolete.
Longtime viewers stopped tuning in as they loved the reality shows but missed the musical aspect. As of January 1st, 2026, it seemed that MTV was closing down shop for good. Yet, that may not be the case. As it turns out, the network is still alive and well in America. Unfortunately for the UK and Australia, they were not as lucky. Additional channels from the network that were music-centric have shut down. These include MTV Music, MTV ’80s, MTV ’90s, MTV Live, and Club MTV, but again, only in Australia and the UK.
It makes sense why people believed the network was gone for good. The headlines were quite misleading, and some core shows have been axed. Catfish was canceled after nine seasons, and host, Nev Schulman, went into real estate. Furthermore, Teen Mom has not set a filming date, with cast members slipping and saying the show is over. Therefore, with these two no longer airing, it would make sense that viewers would believe the rumors. Fortunately, they are not true, and there is a lot more MTV to come, which is great news.
The Nostalgia Of It All
Although MTV may not be as popular as it once was, fans are all about the nostalgia. Those who grew up watching music videos and TRL would miss having the chance to watch the network or simply have the option. It has been noted that the network is not the same, and that is okay. However, there is still a demand for it, which is why it is still around. When it seemed it was leaving, fans immediately expressed their sadness:
- This hurts my heart so much. MTV and VH1 raised me. I was hoping they’d go out the way they came in.
- Wait why am I crying. I haven’t watched MTV since the golden era of dating shows, but I’m late 30s and it was so iconic. I love a lot of niche media but damn me sometimes I miss the monoculture
Hopefully, everyone can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that the network is not going anywhere. Were you worried, or did you know that it was safe? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Amanda has been a professional freelance writer for over a decade, holding both a BA and an MA. Her passions include animals, iced coffee, gnomes, summer, music, and ‘Vanderpump Rules’.
