I used to love going to my best mate’s house to watch MTV when I was a kid in the Nineties because my parents were too tight to pay for extra TV channels.But youngsters now won’t be able to do the same, as I’m told MTV UK is the latest casualty of social media and streaming.My insiders said the station has been axed in all but name after bosses quietly closed the UK music production arm of the channel.MTV spin doctors insist the station “will still have a presence”, but concede they will no longer be making original music content.Instead, generic US shows will be aired alongside the usual rolling music videos. 6-Notable cancellations include original series Gonzo and Fresh Out UK. As well as being a huge blow to British music, it’s also a major loss to up-and-coming presenting talent.Stars including Kelly Brook, Emma Willis and Cat Deeley all got their big breaks in telly thanks to the station.Greg James and Joel Dommett also hosted on the channel earlier in their careers.My source said: “Everyone at MTV is gutted. To say there has been a bloodbath of cuts would be an understatement.“Staff have been left in tears as some have been there for decades."Those that are left fear more doom and gloom could be around the corner.” It comes after the EMAs — the European answer to the famous VMAs — was axed for this year in another cost- saving measure.A spokesman said: “MTV UK is sunsetting local series Gonzo and Fresh Out UK, beginning this month.“We are deeply grateful to our hosts Jack Saunders and Becca Dudley, the talented artists who have been a part of these series, as well as the teams who brought them to life.“Fans can continue to enjoy global music shows like the MTV VMAs, STANS and Ozzy Osbourne: No Escape From Now on MTV and Paramount+, alongside digital music content on our MTV UK social channels.”I know nothing can ever stay the way it was . . . but this just makes me want to go back to the Nineties.
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