(Roughly) Daily“I Want My MTV!”*…
You’ve probably seen a variation of this news on social media over the past few days: MTV officially shut down on New Year’s Eve, ending their final broadcast the same way the network started: With the clip “Video Killed the Radio Star” by The Buggles.
But those posts are misinformed. It’s New Year’s Day 2026, and MTV is still around. Granted, today the channel is playing a marathon of “The Big Bang Theory” sitcom repeats, so your interpretation of “MTV is still around” may vary…
– Variety, January 1, 2026
Indeed, the reality shows and network re-runs are still flowing. But the new owners of MTV’s parent, Paramount Global, did end its dedicated, 24/7 music channels (like MTV Music, MTV 80s, MTV 90s) at the close of 2025 across most international markets, effectively ceding the video music turf to YouTube.
So it’s a propitious moment to pause and reflect on the legacy, the impact of MTV…
… MTV, the Music Television that launched a thousand careers and redefined a generation, is finally shutting down [as a music channel]. It’s bittersweet to see it go, but it’s also a perfect moment to reflect on just how profoundly this channel, born in a blaze of sound and vision, altered the landscape of music, media, and even society itself.
It’s hard to imagine now, but before August 1, 1981, music was primarily an auditory experience. You listened to it on the radio, on records, or at concerts. The idea of a 24-hour channel dedicated solely to music videos was revolutionary, a gamble by Warner-Amex Satellite Entertainment. They saw the burgeoning popularity of music videos, then mostly promotional tools for artists, and envisioned a dedicated platform. The very first video ever played, fittingly, was “Video Killed the Radio Star” by The Buggles – a prophetic title if there ever was one.
MTV’s early days were a chaotic, vibrant mix of rock, pop, and new wave, with VJs (video jockeys) becoming household names. It was raw, experimental, and deeply intertwined with the youth culture of the 80s. But what started as a niche cable channel quickly exploded into a global phenomenon, forever altering how we consumed and understood music. So, as we bid adieu, let’s explore ten ways MTV truly changed everything…
Remember them at: “MTV: A Farewell to the Channel That Changed Our World,” from Eric Alper (@thatericalper.com)
https://youtu.be/xE-ELR8XASg?si=wp-XjescL0TSf7Ld
https://youtu.be/l7vRSu_wsNc?si=3K7Jj98rBAlBpbnu
* The tag line of MTV’s initial ad campaign (aimed at getting cable viewers to press their cable suppliers to carry MTV)
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As we recollect rock, we might recall that it was on this date in 1972 that David Bowie released “Changes,” from his 1971 album Hunky Dory. Co-produced by Bowie and Ken Scott, it featured Rick Wakeman on piano and the musicians who would later become known as the Spiders from Mars—Mick Ronson, Trevor Bolder and Mick Woodmansey.
https://youtu.be/JIAUS-KlOyU?si=UedLQVM3gI5Xcv2U
#Cable #Changes #ColossalPictures #culture #DavidBowie #history #MTV #music #musicBusiness #musicTelevision #musicVideo #rock #Technology #TheSpidersFromMars
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