MTV News abruptly shut down its website on Monday, deleting 20 years of content.
MTV has removed more than 20 years of content from its MTV News website, as well as its sister country music site CMT.com, which has taken archived content offline. according to The moves by both companies are part of broader cuts by parent company Paramount Global, which shuttered MTV News in 2023 due to financial difficulties, according to Variety.
Going forward, users who try to visit mtvnews.com or mtv.com/news will be redirected to MTV's main site, closing a chapter in digital music journalism that began in 1996. The site features thousands of articles and interviews, and was particularly popular for its “Mixtape Monday” column, Variety reports. The column was crucial in the 2000s and 2010s, providing in-depth coverage of hip-hop culture and highlighting emerging artists and producers.
MTV News website down, archives taken offline https://t.co/G7Y9LybWX3
— Variety (@Variety) June 24, 2024
The decision to remove these archives not only erased an important piece of digital music history, but also sparked strong backlash from former staff and the journalistic community. Former MTV News music editor Patrick Hosken expressed his dismay on Twitter, lamenting the loss of eight years of work and contributions.
So, https://t.co/ypQLdbaWk5 It's gone. Eight years of my life gone without a trace, all because it didn't suit the interests of a few executives. Infuriating is an understatement.
— Patrick Hosken (@patrickhosken) June 24, 2024
Similarly, Crystal Bell, current culture editor at Mashable and formerly of MTV News, emphasized the significance of losing important music history. (Related: MTV Awards canceled due to Israeli war)
It is unpleasant to see the whole (derogatory) @mtvnews Archives have been wiped from the internet. Decades of music history have been wiped… including the earliest days of K-Pop.
— Crystal Bell (@crystalbell) June 24, 2024
Rolling Stone senior writer Brian Hiatt also criticized the move.
This is a disgrace, the MTV News archives have been wiped clean, decades of pop culture historical research material gone, but why? https://t.co/xJQRXrNERS
— Brian Hiatt (@hiattb) June 24, 2024
As of now, MTV has not responded to a request for comment on its decision to remove these archives, according to Variety.
