Attention Sky and Virgin Media TV users: a reduction in available channels starting tomorrow will be noticeable, with popular music services being affected. The decision to remove several MTV stations, including MTV Music, MTV 80s, MTV 90s, Club MTV, and MTV Live, was initially announced in October, and viewers now have only 24 hours left to enjoy these iconic channels. Updated TV schedules confirm that these channels will cease broadcasting on December 31.
Individuals trying to access upcoming programs on these platforms will encounter a message indicating, “This channel is now closed.”
The shift towards streaming seems to have led to this development, as MTV, after almost four decades of music television broadcasting, is struggling with declining viewership on traditional TV. Many are now turning to platforms like YouTube and apps such as TikTok for their music content.
According to a source speaking to The Sun, MTV has become a casualty of the rise of streaming platforms. The source expressed, “It’s a dark day for the music industry,” highlighting the decline of MTV from its former status as a powerhouse in the industry.
Reports suggest that MTV services in parts of Asia, Australia, and Latin America are also facing discontinuation.
Despite the closure of music-focused channels, MTV HD will continue to be available. The channel will maintain its lineup of reality programs such as Naked Dating UK and Geordie Shore.
For many years, MTV played a pivotal role in shaping youth culture and launching music and television careers, revolutionizing the consumption, marketing, and visualization of music since its inception in 1981.
The changes do not end with MTV; four children’s TV channels, namely Pop, Tiny Pop, Pop+1, and Tiny Pop+1, are also set to be permanently removed from listings by the year’s end. In total, nine channels will be disappearing from Sky and Virgin Media TV.
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