MTV Canada will end on December 31, 2024 [UPDATED]

When MTV first signed on August 1, 1981, it was illegal in Canada because it didn’t–couldn’t–follow Canadian content regulations. Its existence forced the creation of MuchMusic, a homegrown solution to the music video boom. And for a while, things were very good.

The restrictions against MTV were eventually dropped with the creation of MTV Canada, officially launching in 2006, evolving out of a channel called Talktv, which was launched by Bell in 2000. Both MTV and MuchMusic were owned by Bell, licensing content from Paramount in the US.

MTV Canada was everything MTV America offered but with the necessary Canadian spin with reality TV shows, pop culture stuff, documentaries, and the occasional music videos. Dan Levy–yes, the Schitt’s Creek star–got his big start by co-hosting MTV Live. It lasted six seasons and won a Gemini for Best Talk Series. Meanwhile, the channel struggled under regulations regarding music programming. It wasn’t until 2015 when all those conditions imposed on its license by the CRTC were dropped.

Music video programming disappeared, lifestyle programming was added. Eventually, both channels resorted to doing nothing but running reruns of The Simpsons and too many episodes of Ridiculousness.

Viewership tanked. Revenue dropped by more than half in four years ($17 million to $7 million). Cord cutters went crazy. I don’t think there was even any staff other than the people in the control room and back office.

And now, Bell has decided that it’s had enough. MTV Canada will be shut down on December 31, 2024. This follows on the heels of Paramount shutting down all aspects of MTV News after 36 tears.

Anyone going to miss it?