14 Retro Music Video Channels That No Longer Broadcast
Take a look back at 14 once-popular music video channels that rocked the airwaves before vanishing for good.
- Chris Graciano
- 3 min read
Before YouTube took over, music lovers tuned in to dedicated TV channels to catch the hottest videos. These networks once ruled the screen with nonstop music content. Now gone, each one left behind a soundtrack of nostalgia and silence.
1. The Box (U.S.)
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Dubbed “the jukebox you control,” The Box let viewers call in to request videos directly. It was unpredictable and raw, often airing rare or unedited content. MTV eventually bought and shut it down in 2001, absorbing its format into MTV2.
2. MuchMoreMusic (Canada)
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This adult-focused spin-off of MuchMusic catered to fans of soft rock, jazz, and easy listening. It offered a mellow alternative to louder pop channels.
3. VH1 Classic Europe
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Specializing in golden oldies and classic rock videos, this channel was a favorite among older viewers across the continent. Over time, it was replaced by MTV Classic, losing much of its niche programming.
4. Fuse On Demand
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Originally offering rock-heavy music videos and artist features, Fuse On Demand was a digital offshoot available through cable providers. While the main Fuse channel evolved, the On Demand service was axed quietly.
5. MTVX
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Launched as a hard rock and metal version of MTV, MTVX gave heavy music its own platform. It had a cult following but was short-lived, pulled in 2002 and replaced by MTV Jams.
6. Video Hits One (VH1 Latin America)
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Focused on Spanish-language pop and ballads, this channel served a growing Latin music audience. Despite solid viewership, it was restructured under Viacom’s new media strategy
7. ZTV (Sweden)
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Once a cultural powerhouse in Sweden, ZTV blended music videos with edgy youth content. Known for pushing boundaries, it helped launch local artists. It was replaced in 2010 by more general entertainment formats.
8. Channel V (Asia)
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A major music channel across Asia in the ’90s and early 2000s, Channel V offered music from across the region, in multiple languages. It thrived before the streaming boom hit hard. By 2018, most regional versions had shut down.
9. M2 (MTV2 UK)
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Originally launched as a sister channel to MTV UK, M2 was all about alternative and indie videos. It later rebranded multiple times before quietly exiting the scene.
10. The Tube Music Network
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A short-lived digital broadcast network in the U.S. that focused purely on music videos with minimal ads. Its stripped-back, music-first approach was refreshing.
11. Juice TV (New Zealand)
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Run by Sky TV, Juice was New Zealand’s go-to destination for local and international music videos. It supported indie artists and spotlighted Kiwi talent.
12. VIVA Germany
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Germany’s answer to MTV, VIVA played pop, hip-hop, and Eurodance hits and was iconic for its localized programming. After being acquired by Viacom, the brand was slowly phased out.
13. VH1 Soul
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A sister network to VH1, this channel played nonstop R&B, soul, and neo-soul music. It was beloved for its deep cuts and spotlight on underrepresented artists.
14. BPM:TV (Canada)
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Focused exclusively on electronic and dance music, BPM:TV gave club culture a platform long before EDM went mainstream. It aired DJ sets, dance showcases, and niche programming.