• MTV Is Officially Dead

    From Ubiquitous@weberm@polaris.net to rec.arts.tv,alt.tv.mtv on Thu Jan 1 12:31:41 2026
    From Newsgroup: rec.arts.tv

    The MTV Story. Today, December 31, 2025, marks the official death of
    the empire that invented modern cool. Paramount Global has pulled the
    plug on the music channels that defined a generation, from the excess
    of the 80s to the grunge revolution of the 90s. We explore the rise and
    fall of the network that once dictated the planet's soundtrack, how
    reality TV like "The Real World" became a cheaper drug than rock and
    roll, and how the "Video Killed the Radio Star" prophecy finally came
    full circle.

    https://youtu.be/z3jTlCs_SMA?si=QrlzqoKpPE3czOra

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  • From anim8rfsk@anim8rfsk@cox.net to rec.arts.tv,alt.tv.mtv on Fri Jan 2 08:48:52 2026
    From Newsgroup: rec.arts.tv

    Ubiquitous <weberm@polaris.net> wrote:
    The MTV Story. Today, December 31, 2025, marks the official death of
    the empire that invented modern cool. Paramount Global has pulled the
    plug on the music channels that defined a generation, from the excess
    of the 80s to the grunge revolution of the 90s. We explore the rise and
    fall of the network that once dictated the planet's soundtrack, how
    reality TV like "The Real World" became a cheaper drug than rock and
    roll, and how the "Video Killed the Radio Star" prophecy finally came
    full circle.

    Heh

    I never had music from MTV. By the time Cox finally connected me, it was
    all reality and game shows. I came aboard for the remote control era.
    Music was relegated to three in the morning.


    https://youtu.be/z3jTlCs_SMA?si=QrlzqoKpPE3czOra


    --
    The last thing I want to do is hurt you, but it is still on my list.
    --- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From shawn@nanoflower@notforg.m.a.i.l.com to rec.arts.tv on Fri Jan 2 12:30:27 2026
    From Newsgroup: rec.arts.tv

    On Fri, 2 Jan 2026 08:48:52 -0700, anim8rfsk <anim8rfsk@cox.net>
    wrote:

    Ubiquitous <weberm@polaris.net> wrote:
    The MTV Story. Today, December 31, 2025, marks the official death of
    the empire that invented modern cool. Paramount Global has pulled the
    plug on the music channels that defined a generation, from the excess
    of the 80s to the grunge revolution of the 90s. We explore the rise and
    fall of the network that once dictated the planet's soundtrack, how
    reality TV like "The Real World" became a cheaper drug than rock and
    roll, and how the "Video Killed the Radio Star" prophecy finally came
    full circle.

    Heh

    I never had music from MTV. By the time Cox finally connected me, it was
    all reality and game shows. I came aboard for the remote control era.
    Music was relegated to three in the morning.


    https://youtu.be/z3jTlCs_SMA?si=QrlzqoKpPE3czOra


    Wow. Thought everyone of a certain generation got the MTV. I didn't
    get to see it when it first aired as I didn't have cable at the time
    but did catch it a few years later.
    --- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From danny burstein@dannyb@panix.com to rec.arts.tv on Fri Jan 2 17:33:46 2026
    From Newsgroup: rec.arts.tv

    In <p30glkhebdegg9idoba2ah72mapip2r1n3@4ax.com> shawn <nanoflower@notforg.m.a.i.l.com> writes:

    [lots snippeth]

    I never had music from MTV. By the time Cox finally connected me, it was >>all reality and game shows. I came aboard for the remote control era. >>Music was relegated to three in the morning.


    https://youtu.be/z3jTlCs_SMA?si=QrlzqoKpPE3czOra


    Wow. Thought everyone of a certain generation got the MTV. I didn't
    get to see it when it first aired as I didn't have cable at the time
    but did catch it a few years later.

    When MTV first started there were BIG battles to get local
    cable companies to carry it. Part was the financial deals
    (who would get how much from which adverts, etc.), but at
    least back then part was the physical limitations on how many
    channels the systems could carry.

    Hence ad campaigns by MTV with the tagline:

    "Call your cable company
    and say
    'We want our M-T-V!'"
    --
    _____________________________________________________
    Knowledge may be power, but communications is the key
    dannyb@panix.com
    [to foil spammers, my address has been double rot-13 encoded]
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  • From super70s@super70s@super70s.invalid to rec.arts.tv on Fri Jan 2 14:30:26 2026
    From Newsgroup: rec.arts.tv

    On 2026-01-02 15:48:52 +0000, anim8rfsk said:

    Ubiquitous <weberm@polaris.net> wrote:
    The MTV Story. Today, December 31, 2025, marks the official death of
    the empire that invented modern cool. Paramount Global has pulled the
    plug on the music channels that defined a generation, from the excess
    of the 80s to the grunge revolution of the 90s. We explore the rise and
    fall of the network that once dictated the planet's soundtrack, how
    reality TV like "The Real World" became a cheaper drug than rock and
    roll, and how the "Video Killed the Radio Star" prophecy finally came
    full circle.

    Heh

    I never had music from MTV. By the time Cox finally connected me, it was
    all reality and game shows. I came aboard for the remote control era.
    Music was relegated to three in the morning.

    It's been worthless ever since they quit showing videos. The last time
    I watched anything on it was Beavis & Butt-head which now has a few new episodes occasionally on Comedy Central.

    Then they had VH1 for a while for videos but even it's long gone.

    My provider offers a lot of free music channels, all they do is change pictures from time to time but at least you can pick a genre you can
    stand to listen to.

    There's also the iHeart Radio app for streamers.

    --- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Your Name@YourName@YourISP.com to rec.arts.tv on Sat Jan 3 10:11:48 2026
    From Newsgroup: rec.arts.tv

    On 2026-01-02 20:30:26 +0000, super70s said:

    On 2026-01-02 15:48:52 +0000, anim8rfsk said:

    Ubiquitous <weberm@polaris.net> wrote:
    The MTV Story. Today, December 31, 2025, marks the official death of
    the empire that invented modern cool. Paramount Global has pulled the
    plug on the music channels that defined a generation, from the excess
    of the 80s to the grunge revolution of the 90s. We explore the rise and
    fall of the network that once dictated the planet's soundtrack, how
    reality TV like "The Real World" became a cheaper drug than rock and
    roll, and how the "Video Killed the Radio Star" prophecy finally came
    full circle.

    Heh

    I never had music from MTV. By the time Cox finally connected me, it was
    all reality and game shows. I came aboard for the remote control era.
    Music was relegated to three in the morning.

    It's been worthless ever since they quit showing videos. The last time
    I watched anything on it was Beavis & Butt-head which now has a few new episodes occasionally on Comedy Central.

    Then they had VH1 for a while for videos but even it's long gone.

    My provider offers a lot of free music channels, all they do is change pictures from time to time but at least you can pick a genre you can
    stand to listen to.

    There's also the iHeart Radio app for streamers.

    There's a few music-only TV channels in New Zealand, some play music
    videos and some just static pictures ...

    Freeview (free-to-air):
    - Juice TV
    - Radio New Zealand National
    - Radio New Zealand Concert
    - George FM
    - Radio Aotearoa

    Sky TV:
    - Juice TV (replaced MTV Hits)
    - J2 (replaced MTV 80s)
    - Radio New Zealand National
    - Radio New Zealand Concert
    - Tahu FM (Maori music radio station)



    --- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From super70s@super70s@super70s.invalid to rec.arts.tv on Fri Jan 2 18:21:18 2026
    From Newsgroup: rec.arts.tv

    I just found out the main MTV channel is still around, Paramount is discontinuing MTV's sister channels that were still playing videos. I
    wasn't even aware of those because my provider doesn't offer them. No
    wonder they're being discontinued if none of the providers are offering
    them.

    (Not the most concise subject header someone could've come up with.)
    --- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Your Name@YourName@YourISP.com to rec.arts.tv on Sat Jan 3 18:48:24 2026
    From Newsgroup: rec.arts.tv

    On 2026-01-03 00:21:18 +0000, super70s said:

    I just found out the main MTV channel is still around, Paramount is discontinuing MTV's sister channels that were still playing videos. I
    wasn't even aware of those because my provider doesn't offer them. No
    wonder they're being discontinued if none of the providers are offering
    them.

    (Not the most concise subject header someone could've come up with.)

    It's probably just whoever was meant to flick the switch of 'off' is on
    their holidays until Monday. ;-)


    The reality is that it was only most of the MTV channels have been
    shutdown internationally, but they are still going in the USA. <https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/mtv-did-not-shut-down-despite-social-media-posts-1236621840/>


    --- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From super70s@super70s@super70s.invalid to rec.arts.tv on Sat Jan 3 06:13:01 2026
    From Newsgroup: rec.arts.tv

    On 2026-01-03 05:48:24 +0000, Your Name said:

    On 2026-01-03 00:21:18 +0000, super70s said:

    I just found out the main MTV channel is still around, Paramount is
    discontinuing MTV's sister channels that were still playing videos. I
    wasn't even aware of those because my provider doesn't offer them. No
    wonder they're being discontinued if none of the providers are offering
    them.

    (Not the most concise subject header someone could've come up with.)

    It's probably just whoever was meant to flick the switch of 'off' is on their holidays until Monday. ;-)


    The reality is that it was only most of the MTV channels have been
    shutdown internationally, but they are still going in the USA. <https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/mtv-did-not-shut-down-despite-social-media-posts-1236621840/>


    Thanks, that cleared it up (even if I had to go to archive.today to
    bypass a signup and read it).

    I just checked my provider's schedule -- even the channels I don't get
    -- and the only thing related to MTV I saw was MTV and VH1 (I was wrong
    about VH1 going away, shows how much their current programming got my attention, lol).

    I didn't see any kind of MTV "Classic, Live, Biggest Pop, Spankin' New,
    Yo!, Flow Latino" etc.

    The (static picture) music channels my provider offers are "Stingray"
    branded. They probably let the provider have them for free, which is
    why the provider offers them for free (even to Basic subscribers). MTV probably charges extra for their branded channels.

    One thing that article jogged my memory with was the old MTV "120
    Minutes" program from the 90's. I was a loyal viewer of that show every
    Sunday night, it turned me on to some of the great old alternative acts.

    --- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Your Name@YourName@YourISP.com to rec.arts.tv on Sun Jan 4 10:31:18 2026
    From Newsgroup: rec.arts.tv

    On 2026-01-03 12:13:01 +0000, super70s said:
    On 2026-01-03 05:48:24 +0000, Your Name said:

    On 2026-01-03 00:21:18 +0000, super70s said:

    I just found out the main MTV channel is still around, Paramount is
    discontinuing MTV's sister channels that were still playing videos. I
    wasn't even aware of those because my provider doesn't offer them. No
    wonder they're being discontinued if none of the providers are offering
    them.

    (Not the most concise subject header someone could've come up with.)

    It's probably just whoever was meant to flick the switch of 'off' is on
    their holidays until Monday. ;-)


    The reality is that it was only most of the MTV channels have been
    shutdown internationally, but they are still going in the USA.
    <https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/mtv-did-not-shut-down-despite-social-media-posts-1236621840/>


    Thanks, that cleared it up (even if I had to go to archive.today to
    bypass a signup and read it).

    I don't get a sign-up, but the Variety website does often complain
    about my ad-blocker, so I have to use the 'pause for 30secs' feature to
    allow the page to load.



    I just checked my provider's schedule -- even the channels I don't get
    -- and the only thing related to MTV I saw was MTV and VH1 (I was wrong about VH1 going away, shows how much their current programming got my attention, lol).

    I didn't see any kind of MTV "Classic, Live, Biggest Pop, Spankin' New,
    Yo!, Flow Latino" etc.

    The (static picture) music channels my provider offers are "Stingray" branded. They probably let the provider have them for free, which is
    why the provider offers them for free (even to Basic subscribers). MTV probably charges extra for their branded channels.

    One thing that article jogged my memory with was the old MTV "120
    Minutes" program from the 90's. I was a loyal viewer of that show every Sunday night, it turned me on to some of the great old alternative acts.

    I've never watched any MTV channels because I have zero interest in
    music (and even less interest in sport). :-)


    --- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From BTR1701@atropos@mac.com to rec.arts.tv on Sat Jan 3 21:45:27 2026
    From Newsgroup: rec.arts.tv

    On Jan 3, 2026 at 1:31:18 PM PST, "Your Name" <YourName@YourISP.com> wrote:

    On 2026-01-03 12:13:01 +0000, super70s said:

    I just checked my provider's schedule -- even the channels I don't get
    -- and the only thing related to MTV I saw was MTV and VH1 (I was wrong
    about VH1 going away, shows how much their current programming got my
    attention, lol).

    I didn't see any kind of MTV "Classic, Live, Biggest Pop, Spankin' New,
    Yo!, Flow Latino" etc.

    The (static picture) music channels my provider offers are "Stingray"
    branded. They probably let the provider have them for free, which is
    why the provider offers them for free (even to Basic subscribers). MTV
    probably charges extra for their branded channels.

    One thing that article jogged my memory with was the old MTV "120
    Minutes" program from the 90's. I was a loyal viewer of that show every
    Sunday night, it turned me on to some of the great old alternative acts.

    I've never watched any MTV channels because I have zero interest in
    music (and even less interest in sport). :-)

    I once went on a date with a woman who said she had no interest in music of
    any kind. Zero. Never listens to any music at all.

    I saw no future with her.


    --- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Ubiquitous@weberm@polaris.net to rec.arts.tv,alt.tv.mtv on Sat Jan 3 18:43:13 2026
    From Newsgroup: rec.arts.tv

    super70s@super70s.invalid wrote:
    On 2026-01-02 15:48:52 +0000, anim8rfsk said:
    Ubiquitous <weberm@polaris.net> wrote:

    The MTV Story. Today, December 31, 2025, marks the official death of
    the empire that invented modern cool. Paramount Global has pulled the
    plug on the music channels that defined a generation, from the excess
    of the 80s to the grunge revolution of the 90s. We explore the rise
    and fall of the network that once dictated the planet's soundtrack,
    how reality TV like "The Real World" became a cheaper drug than rock
    and roll, and how the "Video Killed the Radio Star" prophecy finally
    came full circle.

    Heh

    I never had music from MTV. By the time Cox finally connected me,
    it was all reality and game shows. I came aboard for the remote control
    era.Music was relegated to three in the morning.

    My parents didn't have cable so it wasn't until college that I could see
    it.

    It's been worthless ever since they quit showing videos. The last time
    I watched anything on it was Beavis & Butt-head which now has a few new >episodes occasionally on Comedy Central.

    Sans the music parts.

    [Mangled headers fixed]
    --
    Democrats and the liberal media hate President Trump more than they
    love this country.

    --- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Ubiquitous@weberm@polaris.net to rec.arts.tv,alt.tv.mtv on Sat Jan 3 18:47:45 2026
    From Newsgroup: rec.arts.tv

    In article <10jb14d$2k57f$1@solani.org>, super70s@super70s.invalid wrote:

    One thing that article jogged my memory with was the old MTV "120
    Minutes" program from the 90's. I was a loyal viewer of that show every >Sunday night, it turned me on to some of the great old alternative acts.

    Watching "120 Minutes" after "The Young Ones" and "Comedy Club Presents"(?)
    was "must see TV" for us.

    [Mangled headers fixed]
    --
    Democrats and the liberal media hate President Trump more than they
    love this country.

    --- Synchronet 3.21a-Linux NewsLink 1.2
  • From Pluted Pup@plutedpup@outlook.com to rec.arts.tv,alt.tv.mtv on Tue Jan 6 18:38:25 2026
    From Newsgroup: rec.arts.tv

    On 1/1/26 9:31 AM, Ubiquitous wrote:
    The MTV Story. Today, December 31, 2025, marks the official death of
    the empire that invented modern cool. Paramount Global has pulled the
    plug on the music channels that defined a generation, from the excess
    of the 80s to the grunge revolution of the 90s. We explore the rise and
    fall of the network that once dictated the planet's soundtrack, how
    reality TV like "The Real World" became a cheaper drug than rock and
    roll, and how the "Video Killed the Radio Star" prophecy finally came
    full circle.

    https://youtu.be/z3jTlCs_SMA?si=QrlzqoKpPE3czOra

    Look how terrible this video looks! It's BOTH centercut
    and stretched!

    They chopped off the sides and then stretched the video.

    Possibly they chopped off 30% off the top and bottom
    of the 1.33 original videos to make 1.77, then chopped
    off 30% of the sides to make 1.33, then stretched to 1.77,
    to show the remaining 45% or so of the original videos in
    a heavily distorted manner.


    To the point, Sumner Redstone, of Viacom, killed MTV a
    long time ago.




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