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The end of 2025 marked a somber milestone for music history: following the Paramount-Skydance merger, aggressive cost-cutting measures led to the official shutdown of MTV’s remaining 24-hour music channels across much of the globe.
While MTV Classic and MTV Live remain available for now in the U.S., fans in the UK, Europe, Australia, and Brazil saw their dedicated music feeds go dark on New Year’s Eve. In a poetic final goodbye, the last video aired on many of these channels was the same one that started it all in 1981: “Video Killed the Radio Star” by The Buggles.
The Rise of MTV Rewind
In response to these closures, a dedicated fan has stepped in to preserve the network’s legacy with a free, independent website called MTV Rewind. Designed as a “MTV Simulator,” the site offers an archival experience that mirrors the original channel-flipping feel of the ’80s and ’90s.
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Massive Library: The site hosts over 33,000 classic music videos and vintage commercials.
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Chronological Channels: Viewers can journey through curated channels spanning from the 1981 launch through the 2020s.
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Iconic Shows: The archive includes segments from legendary programs like Yo! MTV Raps, Headbangers Ball, 120 Minutes, and MTV Unplugged.
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Ad-Free Experience: The creator has promised to keep the site free and ad-free forever, relying solely on viewer donations for support.
