Madonna at the 1984 MTV Video Music Awards.

Does Anyone Still Want Their MTV?

Reports of the network’s death were greatly exaggerated. But whether it can survive the streaming era is an open question

By Bill Flanagan

Last month, I got a barrage of texts and e-mails from friends, relatives, and former colleagues reacting to headlines such as “MTV to Shut Down Music Channels After 40 Years” (GeekSpin) and “MTV 1981-2025” (CNBC TV18). Some of the messages I got were snickering, some were nostalgic, some were enjoying a little Schadenfreude.

On CNBC TV18, a young woman announced, “It’s the end of an era. MTV is shutting down its legendary music channels after 40 unforgettable years.”