MTV 24-hour music channel comes to an end with same song that launched broadcast

MTV, the television channel that raised a generation, has officially signed off in the most appropriate way possible.

While there are entire generations of Americans who know MTV more for its reality programming than its iconic music video broadcasts, it may come as a surprise that the channel was still running until recently. Indeed, at the very end of 2025, they aired the very last broadcast and opted to play “Video Killed the Radio Star” by The Buggles.

For those who don’t know the history of the channel, this was also the first video ever aired by MTV, a cheeky entrance into the world, as well as an ironic way to end its run.

MTV officially shut down its 24-hour music channels yesterday. They ended their final broadcast with ‘Video killed the radio star’ by The Buggles, the very first video broadcasted by MTV on August 1st, 1981. pic.twitter.com/Crt1UtTV8P

— 80s Kidz (@80s_Kidz) January 1, 2026

The move affected only the dedicated music channels, while MTV’s flagship channel in the U.S. will continue with reality shows and streaming content.

While the plug was only pulled days ago, those who grew up in MTV’s golden age say that the channel chose its own demise when it strayed away from music and opted to start flooding the airwaves with the likes of “Teen Mom,” “Catfish,” and “Jersey Shore.” While they were popular with the millennial generation, the older fans who made up the core of MTV’s audience were turned off by what they saw as trashy television that tried to pass itself off as entertainment.

I mean the moment they stopped actual music production, that moment killed them

— Pauluz (@PauluzRFRM) January 2, 2026

I didn’t realize they had music channels anymore.

— Ælectric Cyberfarmer (@rhensing) January 1, 2026

Guess that’s what happens when M-TV stops broadcasting music videos…. Got to keep the main thing the focus…. Otherwise get lost on your way.

— Trent Mongero (@CoachMongero) January 1, 2026

They died when they stopped the actual music.

— Red Riding Hood (@RiderofWolves) January 1, 2026

Still, for those who spent countless hours glued to the television, teasing their hair and applying enough eyeliner to look like their favorite 80s artist, it truly is the end of an era.

Being an 80s kid was truly a ride

— M3 (@MindMakesMatter) January 2, 2026

End of a generation.

Modern day kids won’t appreciate or understand how this channel created their parents.

Time is a cruel mistress. Just like the closing of blockbuster video. This one is sad too.

— Bosch (@boschmerchant) January 2, 2026

Thank you MTV You’ll be missed pic.twitter.com/87GU0N25X8

— Elnaz Mansouri (@555elnaz) January 2, 2026

Defo end of a huge era, our kids won’t remember it. sad

— Eva (@eva_bdshark) January 1, 2026

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