MTV News, the iconic music video network’s news division, is shutting down after 36 years. The decision comes as part of a broader restructuring at Paramount Global, the parent company of MTV.
“Feeling pressure from broader economic headwinds like many of our peers. As a result, MTV News would be winding down operations.” – Chris McCarthy, Paramount President and CEO
McCarthy said that the decision was “not an easy one,” but that it was necessary to “ensure the long-term health of our business.” He added that MTV News would continue to produce some content, but that it would be “a much smaller operation.”
MTV News was founded in 1981 by Robert Pittman, the network’s first president. It quickly became a go-to source for news about music and pop culture, and its anchors, such as Kurt Loder and Tabitha Soren, became household names.
In the 1990s, MTV News expanded its coverage to include politics and social issues. It won numerous awards for its reporting, including two Peabody Awards.
In recent years, MTV News has faced increasing competition from online and cable news outlets. It has also been buffeted by changes in the music industry, which has seen a decline in the sales of physical albums and a rise in streaming services.
The shutdown of MTV News is a sign of the changing media landscape. As more and more people get their news online, traditional news outlets are struggling to stay afloat. MTV News is just one of the latest casualties.
