MTV Base, MTV Classic to be replaced with '80s, '90s-themed channels

By Neil Wilkes, Editor-in-chief | 16 March 2022

MTV Base and MTV Classic will close later this month to be replaced by MTV 80s and MTV 90s.

MTV has announced that its MTV Base and MTV Classic channels will close at the end of the month to be replaced by new channels MTV 80s and MTV 90s.

The changes come eight months after the broadcaster shut down MTV Rocks, Club MTV and MTV OMG as part of a streamlining of the MTV portfolio in the UK and Ireland.

MTV Base launched in July 1999 as a home for rap, RnB and grime music - and in a statement announcing the changes, MTV said that those genres will still be showcased across its network.

"Music of Black origin now holds a broad appeal for a variety of fans across the UK, so we have refined our music channels to reflect how these genres have been integrated into mainstream playlists more generally," said the statement.

"Contemporary Black music and artists will continue to be showcased on our flagship channel, MTV Music and on MTV Hits. We're also bringing back YO! MTV Raps: Rated, presented by Poet and Snoochie Shy as a new bi-weekly show on MTV Music and MTV UK."

MTV Classic will morph into MTV 80s and MTV Base will become MTV 90s on the morning of Thursday, March 31.

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