Major TV channel set to shut down for good after 36 years on air
The iconic news channel that broke the news of Kurt Cobain’s death is to close down after 36 years.
MTV News, which launched in 1987, was legendary in the 1990s and early 2000s for its coverage of music, pop culture, politics and current affairs.
What made their reporting different to other news channels was its focus on the younger generation.
Some of MTV News’ most memorable moments include anchor Kurt Loder breaking the news Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain had died in 1994.
There was also the time Courtney Love interrupted an interview with Madonna - and the time then US president Bill Clinton was asked if he wore boxers or briefs.
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Legendary MTV News anchor Kurt Loder with Britney Spears and Mick Jagger (WireImage)But news the channel is no more is reportedly down to job cuts at Paramount, who own the MTV channel.
The global company is said to be cutting 25% of its staff in America, which includes the ‘elimination of some units’.
According to Variety a statement to staff read: “Senior leaders in coordination with HR have been working together over the past few months to determine the optimal organisation for the current and future needs of our business.
“As a result, we have made the very hard but necessary decision to reduce our domestic team by approximately 25 per cent.
“This is a tough, yet important strategic realignment of our group. Through the elimination of some units and by streamlining others, we will be able to reduce costs and create a more effective approach to our business as we move forward.”
The Mirror has reached out to Paramount for further comment on this story.
The channel broke the news of Kurt Cobain's death and saw wife Courtney Love crash an interview with Madonna (Getty Images)Long-running anchor Loder, who was also an editor for Rolling Stone magazine in the 1980s, appeared to confirm the news on Twitter.
The 78-year-old, who was influential to a generation, simply tweeted: “Thanks to everyone for all the kind words today...”
Fans were quick to comment underneath with many mourning the loss of Kurt’s presence on the channel.
One wrote: “As a geriatric millennial Kurt Loder is engrained in our early years growing up. I believe you’re a big deal to our generation.”
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MTV News presenter SuChin Pak appears on MTV's Total Request Live (Getty Images)Another tweeted: “You are the man! I had faith everything you were telling us was true. More than we can say for news people today.”
“You were the first news source I really watched and you will always have my thanks and respect for inspiring so many of us Gen Xers to pay attention and care,” said a third.
A fourth commented: “You found a way to bring smart, sustained reporting and commentary on music and culture from zines to television and you made it work. Journalists who landed on those beats learned from watching you and we’re all in your debt. Looking forward to your next assignment.”
The affected Paramount-owned networks include MTV, Nick, Comedy Central, Paramount Network, Smithsonian, CMT, TV Land, Logo and Pop TV.
Cuts come just four months after Showtime laid off 120 employees while merging into MTV Entertainment Studios as part of the Paramount+ With Showtime strategy.
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