Kurt Loder, Tabitha Soren, and John Norris, three of MTV News' most iconic anchors, reflect on their time at the network, including covering the deaths of musicians in the 90s and interviewing Tupac Shakur. Loder explains how he maintained his no-nonsense persona on-air, while Soren discusses her efforts to cover the 1992 presidential election seriously and her famous interview with Tupac. Norris recalls his interview with a young Britney Spears and his friendship with George Michael. The anchors also discuss their final days with the network and the prevalence of ageism in the industry.
Former MTV News staffers reflect on the impact of the network's news division, which was a go-to source for young people on everything from music to politics and social issues. The division, which began as a broadcast in the mid-1980s, grew to become a bustling newsroom that churned out hourly news briefs and special reports. MTV News correspondents interviewed Tupac Shakur and Green Day as well as Kofi Annan and John McCain. The end of MTV News was announced this week amid widespread cutbacks, triggering a flood of fond recollections about the on-air personalities who defined the brand.
MTV News, which began in the 1980s as a single show fronted by Kurt Loder, has been shut down as part of larger layoffs at Paramount Global. The channel made a name for itself providing news and essential interviews with entertainment's biggest stars, focusing their coverage on what young people were paying attention to. Former hosts have expressed their sadness at the news, but some have pointed out that young journalists today still have plenty to look forward to.
MTV News, which bridged the gap between news and pop culture for a generation, is shutting down as part of a 25% reduction in staff at parent company Paramount. The news service brought young people stories about music, politics, and world events, and its influence can be seen in the work of Vice News and some CNN journalists. MTV News anchors and correspondents were known for their credibility, lack of self-righteousness, and refusal to talk down to their audience. They saw themselves as critical connectors for young voters and always put music first.
MTV News, a cable news division programmed for and largely run by American youth, has been shut down by Paramount after 36 years. The Hollywood Reporter reached out to MTV News' star reporters and executives to reminisce about the glory days of the outfit, where they covered music, politics, and pop culture in a way that spoke to young Americans. The team's coverage of the 2000 election cycle, Choose or Lose, ultimately led to Bill Clinton coming on MTV and talking about "boxers or briefs." The team's coverage of 9/11 was also a significant moment for the network.
Paramount is cutting 25% of staff in its domestic cable networks and shutting down its MTV News division. The media company is merging nine teams into one and streamlining others to reduce costs and create a more effective approach to its business. The move comes after the company cut its dividend and released disappointing quarterly earnings. Paramount is eyeing greater integration between its cable television and streaming offerings amid escalating cord-cutting trends. Shares dropped as much as 5.9% on Wednesday.
Paramount is set to lay off 25% of its US staff, including employees from Showtime, MTV Entertainment Studios, and Paramount Media Networks groups. The decision comes after months of internal deliberations about integration amid Showtime's rebranding into Paramount+. MTV News will also be shutting down. The majority of the layoffs will be among the networks group due to consolidation. Despite Paramount's success in streaming, the company continues to feel pressure from broader economic headwinds.
Paramount Global, the parent company of Showtime and MTV Entertainment Studios, is cutting 25% of staff and shutting down units like MTV News due to economic headwinds. The division will be split into two functions, "studios" and "networks," which will merge nine separate teams into one portfolio. Despite recent successes like "Yellowstone," the company shared dismal quarterly earnings, including an 11% dip in TV ad revenue. Other media companies like Warner Bros. Discovery and Disney have also announced layoffs due to economic challenges.
MTV News, which launched in the late 1980s and once brought news and analysis to the music generation, will shut down after 36 years as part of layoffs affecting 25% of employees at Showtime, MTV Entertainment Studios and Paramount Media Networks. Although it hasn’t been a major news organization in decades, MTV News joins many other outlets that have faced severe reductions or shutdowns in recent months, including CNN, BuzzFeed News and Vice Media.
Paramount Media Networks is shutting down MTV News and reducing its US workforce by 25% due to economic pressures. The decision comes as many media companies face a slumping advertising market and other industry challenges. The cuts are part of a broader restructuring aimed at streamlining units and reducing overall costs.
MTV News is shutting down as part of cost-cutting measures by parent company Paramount Global, which is laying off 25% of its staff. Showtime merged with MTV Entertainment Studios earlier this year. The decision was made due to economic headwinds and to determine the optimal organization for the current and future needs of the business. The news comes after a disappointing first quarter earnings report for the corporation.
One-quarter of the US staff at Chris McCarthy's Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios/Paramount Media Networks Group has been laid off, with the majority of the layoffs coming at the networks end due to prior consolidation. MTV News will be one of the casualties. The decision was made due to economic headwinds, including a struggling advertising market and dwindling linear-television subscribers. The greater Paramount Global company has already recognized about $1.7 billion in costs from combining Paramount+ and Showtime.
