Music Videos Defy Predictions of Demise, Thrive in Digital Age

As of November 2025, reports of the death of music videos have been greatly exaggerated. While MTV and other traditional music channels have moved away from playing music videos, the artform remains popular with both fans and artists. In fact, Spotify has just announced plans to start offering music video streaming in the U.S. and Canada, signaling the continued demand for this medium.

The article notes that MTV, once the epicenter of the music video revolution, has largely abandoned the format in favor of reality shows and reruns. However, the network's legacy as a music video pioneer lives on in the cultural imagination, with fans still remembering it as the "motherlode of music videos." The article suggests that the shift away from music videos was driven by a desire to become a more "normal, respectable, boring network," rather than embrace the network's original weirdness and innovation.

Despite MTV's move away from music videos, the article argues that the artform is thriving in the digital age. Artists continue to create acclaimed music videos, which are now widely shared and consumed on platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and even social media. The article suggests that the delivery systems for music videos may have changed, but the demand for this unique form of artistic expression remains as strong as ever.