MTV music channels go off air with same song that launched them in 1981

MTV’s music channels have ended operations in many countries, closing in the same symbolic way they started more than four decades ago—broadcasting The Buggles’ iconic song “Video Killed the Radio Star”.

Ireland and the United Kingdom were the first countries to say goodbye to MTV Music, MTV 80s, MTV 90s, Club MTV and MTV Live, with the channels ceasing operations at the end of 2025. According to the BBC, the closure also affects France, Germany, Austria, Poland, Hungary, Australia and Brazil.

MTV premiered in the United States on 1 August 1981 and six years later, in August 1987, expanded to Europe with the launch of MTV Europe. Its debut marked a cultural revolution, bringing music imagery to the forefront through videos from artists like Prince, Whitney Houston and George Michael.

On August 1st, 1981, at 12:01 AM EST, the MTV channel was officially launched nationwide in the USA, with the spoken words of “Ladies and gentlemen, rock and roll,” followed by the MTV theme song, and then followed by MTV’s first music video: “Video Killed the Radio Star” by the… pic.twitter.com/L6uEb52IpT

— History Defined (@historydefined) December 6, 2025

However, for more than 10 years, the main MTV channel in these markets had stopped showing daily music videos, turning its focus mainly to reality programmes whilst following changing audience habits. Music videos were limited to thematic channels, except for events like the MTV European Music Awards.

The closure of the music channels took place with a heavily symbolic farewell. MTV Music, the network’s main music channel, chose to close by playing “Video Killed the Radio Star”, the first song ever broadcast by MTV in 1981.

BBC journalist Jono Read captured the moment the channel went off air on video and posted it on platform X. Each channel chose a different final video, with MTV 90s saying goodbye to its audience with “Goodbye” by the Spice Girls.

https://youtu.be/eegDtyrSUZw

Now, those trying to tune into these channels see a repeating image with their logos and an information caption directing them to the main channel, MTV HD, for access to brand content.

Neither MTV nor its parent company, Paramount Skydance, have officially commented on the network’s future in the United States.

In a 2025 interview with PEOPLE, former MTV VJ and television personality Daisy Fuentes spoke candidly about this transition. “Whilst it’s a bit sad, the truth is it’s been sad for a while,” she said. “MTV had its moment and a story that won’t be repeated. It’s time for change.”

As she emphasised, both people and brands must evolve. “We all change. We have to evolve. I hope there will be another version of MTV, just as there’s another version of ourselves. The world has changed so much,” she said.

For many, the end of MTV’s music channels isn’t simply a business decision, but the closing of a historic chapter in pop culture—a medium that shaped generations, defined aesthetics and proved, from its very first song, that image could change music forever.