MTV News Ends After 36 Years Due to Paramount Layoffs
MTV News is no more following ongoing layoffs at parent company Paramount Global. Per multiple outlets — including Variety and The Hollywood Reporter — the news division of MTV is…

MTV News is no more following ongoing layoffs at parent company Paramount Global.
Per multiple outlets -- including Variety and The Hollywood Reporter -- the news division of MTV is the latest casualty of the overall merger of Paramount Media Networks, Showtime and MTV Entertainment Studios. Combined, there will be layoffs of 25% of the total workforce of those three companies.
MTV News first began in 1987 with the show The Week in Rock. The program was hosted by Kurt Loder, which was one of the division's most popular correspondents. MTV News had a number of notable correspondents in its 36-year run. Among them were John Norris, SuChin Pak, Sway Calloway, Serena Altschul, Chris Connelly, Tabitha Soren, Gideon Yago and more.
MTV News shutting down is just the latest layoffs from the media and tech world. Notably, BuzzFeed announced last month it would lay off 15% of its staff. Among those layoffs was the entire BuzzFeed News division, which officially shut down on May 5. Its final story published was an oral history about the division.
We've had to say goodbye to some big names this year in the worlds of entertainment, sports, politics and beyond. To be frank, it was an absolutely brutal year.
So many giants in music died in 2023. Guitar god Jeff Beck died suddenly in January at age 78 after contracting bacterial meningitis. In February, legendary songwriter Burt Bacharach died at age 94. Singer, actor and civil rights icon Harry Belafonte died in April at age 96 from congestive heart failure. In May, the world lost Tina Turner – the Queen of Rock ‘n Roll – at age 83. Iconic pop singer Tony Bennett died in July at age 96.
The worlds of television and film were not immune to significant loss in 2023. Sitcom mastermind Norman Lear died in December at age 101. Three’s Company star Suzanne Somers died in October at age 76 from an aggressive form of breast cancer. Matthew Perry also died in October. The Friends star was only 54. Bob Barker, longtime host of The Price is Right, died in August at age 99. Paul Reubens, best known for his character Pee-wee Herman, died in July at age 70 following a private battle with cancer.
The sports world was rocked by the deaths of three major wrestling figures. In June, The Iron Sheik (Hossein Khosrow Ali Vaziri) died at age 81. Then, in August, there were two back-to-back deaths. First, WWE Hall of Famer Terry Funk died at age 79. Funk's hardcore style has been influential to generations of wrestlers that followed. Then, Bray Wyatt (Windham Rotunda) suddenly died at age 36. The young wrestler died after contracting COVID, which exacerbated a heart issue and led to a heart attack.
Scroll through the gallery below to see the musicians, celebrities and other cultural figures we've lost in 2023.
Harry Belafonte
Terry Disney/Central Press/Getty ImagesLegendary singer/actor who was also an integral figure in the civil rights movement.
Tina Turner
John Rogers/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty ImagesQueen of Rock & Roll. An icon, a legend and forever the moment.
Tony Bennet
Jo Hale/Getty ImagesIconic pop singer whose career spanned eight decades.
Jeff Beck
Simone Joyner/Getty ImagesGuitar icon and two-time Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee as a solo artist and as a member of the Yardbirds. He is one of the most influential guitar players of all time.
Burt Bacharach
Robert Mora/Getty ImagesLegendary songwriter who wrote hits for Dionne Warwick, Aretha Franklin, Jackie DeShannon, Tom Jones, Dusty Springfield and more. His hits included "This Guy's in Love with You," "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head," and "(They Long to Be) Close to You."
David Crosby
Mike Windle/Getty ImagesSinger-songwriter best known for his work with the Byrds and Crosby, Stills & Nash (& Young). He's a two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Famer. He also released a number of solo albums in the years leading up to his passing.
Suzanne Somers
Jamie McCarthy/Getty ImagesSuzanne Somers shot to fame as Chrissy Snow on the '70s sitcom 'Three's Company.' She would reach pop culture icon status thanks to the Thigh Master.
Norman Lear
Rich Polk/Getty Images for Sony Pictures TelevisionNorman Lear was the creator of some of the most iconic and influential sitcoms of all time. Lear's impact on television is immense. He created/developed over 100 shows in his career. Among them were 'All in the Family,' 'Sanford and Son,' 'Maude,' 'Good Times,' 'The Jeffersons,' 'One Day at a Time' and 'Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman.'
Seymour Stein
Frank Micelotta/Getty ImagesIconic record executive who co-founded Sire Records and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Cindy Williams
Gary Gershoff/Getty ImagesActress best known for playing Shirley Feeney in the 1970s sitcom 'Laverne & Shirley.' The show was a spinoff from 'Happy Days.'
Jimmy Buffett
MCA Records/Getty ImagesJimmy Buffett was a legendary singer/songwriter. His massive hit, "Margaritaville," helped inspire his brand, which is worth billions.
Jim Brown
Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images for Sports IllustratedJim Brown was a legendary NFL fullback, actor and civil rights activist. His reputation would be impacted following accusations of abuse towards women.
Lisa Marie Presley
Christopher Polk/Getty Images for WonderwallSinger/songwriter and only child Elvis and Priscilla Presley. Her debut album, 'To Whom It May Concern,' was released in 2003.
Matthew Perry
Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for GQMatthew Perry was best known for playing Chandler Bing for ten seasons on 'Friends.' During the show's run, Perry received one Primetime Emmy Award nomination in 2002 for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series.
Sandra Day O’Connor
Liaison/Getty ImagesSandra Day O’Connor was the first woman to serve on the United States Supreme Court. She sat on the bench from 1981-2006.
Bob Barker
Mark Davis/Getty ImagesBob Barker was the longtime, legendary host of 'The Price is Right.' Before that show, Barker hosted 'Truth or Consequences' from 1956 to 1972.
Andre Braugher
Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images for FLCAndre Braugher was best known for his roles on 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine' and 'Homicide: Life On The Street.' His breakout role was in 1989's Academy Award-winning film 'Glory.'
Paul Reubens
Frazer Harrison/Getty ImagesPaul Reubens was best known for his character Pee-wee Herman. The character was the star of three films and the Emmy Award winning children's series 'Pee-wee's Playhouse.'
Richard Roundtree
Michael Loccisano/Getty ImagesRichard Roundtree was a legendary actor that rose to fame during the era of blaxploitation movies. He's best known for playing the iconic character Shaft.
Rosalynn Carter
Scott Cunningham/Getty ImagesRosalynn Carter was a former First Lady of the United States. She was married to former President Jimmy Carter for 77 years. Mrs. Carter also championed mental health, caregiving, and women’s rights.
Sen. Dianne Feinstein
Drew Angerer/Getty ImagesDianne Feinstein was a legendary politician who served as in the United States Senate for over 30 years. She also served as mayor of San Francisco.
Jerry Springer
Hulton Archive/Getty ImagesFormer politician turned notorious talk show host of 'The Jerry Springer Show.'
Lance Reddick
Rich Polk/Getty Images for IMDbActor best known for his roles on HBO's 'The Wire' and the 'John Wick' movie franchise.
Sinéad O'Connor
Jason Kempin/Getty ImagesAcclaimed Irish singer best known for her moving cover of "Nothing Compares 2 U" and who was chastised for telling the truth about the Catholic Church.
Dick Butkus
Jonathan Daniel/Getty ImagesDick Butkus was a Chicago Bears legend and a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Butkus began acting toward the end of his football career and during his retirement.
Richard Belzer
Stephen Lovekin/Getty ImagesRenowned stand-up comedian and actor best known for playing Det. John Munch on 'Homicide: Life on the Street' and 'Law & Order: SVU.'
Alan Arkin
Vince Bucci/Getty ImagesAcclaimed Academy Award-winning actor.
Bobby Knight
Ronald Martinez/Getty ImagesBobby Knight was a the legendary college basketball coach for Indiana University. He was inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 1991.
The Iron Sheik
Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for GQLegendary wrestler. Currently making the afterlife humble.
Gary Rossington
Rick Diamond/Getty ImagesGuitarist and last surviving original member of Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Robbie Bachman and Tim Bachman
MercuryCo-founding member/drummer and co-founding member/guitarist and vocalist for Bachman-Turner Overdrive both passed away this year. BTO's hits included "Let It Ride," "Takin' Care Of Business" and "You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet."
Bray Wyatt (Windham Rotunda)
Alex Bierens de Haan/Getty ImagesBray Wyatt was a WWE wrestler portrayed by Windham Rotunda. He is considered one of the most unique WWE characters in its storied history.
Robbie Robertson
Kevin Winter/Getty ImagesRobbie Robertson was best known for being the guitarist, vocalist and songwriter for The Band. Robertson went on to have a decades-long partnership with Martin Scorsese. He composed or produced music and served as executive music producer for a number of Scorsese's films.
Raquel Welch
Frederick M. Brown/Getty ImagesActress and iconic sex symbol of the 1960s. She won a Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture Actress in a Musical or Comedy in 1974 for her performance in 'The Three Musketeers.'
Gina Lollobrigida
Keystone Features/Hulton Archive/Getty ImagesActress, photojournalist and politician. She was a sex symbol during the "Golden Age Of Hollywood."
Steve Harwell
Brad Barket/Getty Images for 90sFESTSteve Harwell was the singer for Smash Mouth from 1994-2021. Smash Mouth is best known for their hits "All Star," "Walkin' On The Sun" and their cover of the Monkees' "I'm A Believer."
Clarence Avant
Charley Gallay/Getty Images for NetflixClarence Avant was a legendary record executive and influencer in the world of politics and sports. He was dubbed "The Black Godfather."
Barry Humphries (aka: Dame Edna)
Lisa Maree Williams/Getty ImagesAustralian actor best known as the personality of Dame Edna Everage.
Burt Young
Jason Merritt/Getty ImagesBurt Young was a veteran actor known for playing "tough guy" roles. He was best known for playing Paulie in the 'Rocky' film franchise.
Henry Kissinger
Johannes Simon/Getty ImagesHenry Kissinger was one of the most powerful, influential and controversial political figures in modern history. He served as Secretary of State for President Richard Nixon and President Gerald Ford.
Jeremiah Green, drummer for Modest Mouse
Jason Koerner/Getty ImagesGreen was the drummer for Modest Mouse. He was a founding member of the group. He left in 2003, but returned shortly after.
Lola Mitchell
Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Republic RecordsGangsta Boo of Three 6 Mafia. Starting her career at age 14, she became a popular collaborator. She has worked with a number of artists, including Eminem and OutKast.
Anita Pointer
Mike Windle/Getty Images for VFCFounding member of the Pointer Sisters. She was also the lead singer on many of their other hits, including "Yes We Can Can", "Fire", "Slow Hand", and "I'm So Excited."
Henry Grossman
Ben Gabbe/Getty ImagesIn February 1964, he photographed the Beatles' immortal performance on 'The Ed Sullivan Show.' He was also a staff photographer for LIFE magazine.
Art McNally
Nick Cammett/Getty Images“Father of Instant Replay” in the NFL. In 2022, McNally became the first NFL game official to be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Adam Rich
Stephen Shugerman/Getty ImagesChild star on ‘Eight Is Enough.' He was often referred to as "America's Little Brother" at the time. He also guested on other shows including 'The Six-Million Dollar Man' and 'CHIPS.'
Carl Hahn, former head of Volkswagen that helped popularize the VW Beetle
Sean Gallup/Getty ImagesFormer head of Volkswagen. The company helped popularize the VW Beetle.
David Jude Jolicoeur (Trugoy the Dove)
Bryan Bedder/Getty ImagesOne-third of the influential hip-hop group De La Soul. They reissued their incredibly influential catalog months after his passing.
Kyle Jacobs
Rick Diamond/Getty ImagesSongwriter and husband of country singer Kellie Pickler.
Charles Kimbrough
Gary Gershoff/Getty ImagesActor of stage, screen and television. Best known for playing Jim Dial on the hit CBS sitcom 'Murphy Brown.'
Bob Born
William Thomas Cain/Getty ImagesConfectioner best known for inventing Peeps.
Bobby Hull
Jonathan Daniel/Getty ImagesHockey Hall of Famer best known for his 15 seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks. Known as "The Golden Jet," he is regarded as one of the greatest hockey players of all time.
Lloyd Morrisett
Paul Morigi/Getty ImagesCo-creator of 'Sesame Street'
Jerry Blavat
William Thomas Cain/Getty ImagesIconic Philadelphia DJ, "The Geator with the Heater" and "The Big Boss with the Hot Sauce."
Tom Verlaine
Stephen Lovekin/Getty ImagesSongwriter and guitarist from influential punk band Television.
Lisa Loring
Lawrence Lucier/Getty ImagesActress best known for playing Wednesday Addams on ABC's 'The Addams Family' from 1964-1966.
Cody Longo
Mike Coppola/Getty Images for MTVActor and singer/songwriter best known for his roles on 'Hollywood Heights' and 'Days of Our Lives.'
Tim McCarver

MLB All-Star and two-time World Series Champion that went on to be a Hall of Fame broadcaster.
Sal Piro
Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Painted TurtleNoted superfan of 'The Rocky Horror Picture Show.'
Wayne Swinny
O'Donnell Media GroupFounding member and guitarist for Saliva.
Keith Reid (L)
Michael Stroud/Express/Getty ImagesProcol Harum lyricist. Notably wrote the lyrics to "A Whiter Shade of Pale."
Nora Forster
Noam Galai/Getty Images for Tribeca Film FestivalMusic promoter, wife of John Lydon (Sex Pistols' Johnny Rotten) and mother to Arianna Forster (Ari Up from The Slits.)
Michael Lerner
Scott Gries/Getty Images for Tribeca Film FestivalIconic character actor best known for his roles in the films 'Barton Fink,' 'Elf' and 'Newsies.'
Lynette Hardaway (L)
Paul Morigi/Getty Images for Save the Storks"Diamond" of conservative media personalities "Diamond and Silk." They were frequent contributors to conservative news outlet Newsmax.
Mary Quant
Keystone/Getty ImagesFamed British designer known as "The Mother of the Miniskirt."
Blair Tindall
Brian Ach/Getty Images for Amazon StudiosAuthor of the 2005 memoir 'Mozart in the Jungle: Sex, Drugs, and Classic Music,' which was later adapted into an award-winning series for Amazon.
Len Goodman
Simon Burchell/Getty ImagesRenown British dance champion who was a longtime judge on ABC's 'Dancing With the Stars.'
Andy Rouke
Roy Rochlin/Getty ImagesBassist of The Smiths.
Gordon Lightfoot
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for StagecoachLegendary Canadian singer-songwriter/folk icon.
Pete Brown
UMGLyricist for legendary rock band Cream.
Ray Stevenson
Jeff Spicer/Getty Images for DisneyActor best known for roles in “Punisher: War Zone,” “King Arthur” and the “Thor” films.
Randy Meisner
AsylumFounding member of the legendary band, Eagles.
Jane Birkin
McKeown/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty ImagesRenown actress and inspiration behind the iconic Hermès Birkin bag.
Nikki McCray-Penson
Doug Pensinger/Getty ImagesLegendary basketball star. Two-time Olympic gold medalist, three-time WNBA All-Star.
Bernie Marsden
Courtesy of BMIBernie Marsden was the guitarist for Whitesnake from 1978-1982. During his time in the band, Marsden and David Coverdale wrote Whitesnake's biggest hit, "Here I Go Again," which was originally released on their 1982 album 'Saints & Sinners.' However, the track took off when it was re-recorded for the band's self-titled 1987 album.
Gary Wright
Ethan Miller/Getty ImagesGary Wright was the former keyboardist/singer of Spooky Tooth and a solo artist. He was best known for his solo hit "Dream Weaver."
Michael Gambon
Aaron Davidson/Getty ImagesMichael Gambon was an acclaimed actor of TV and film. He is best known for playing Albus Dumbledore in the 'Harry Potter' film series.
Rudolph Isley
Chris Ware/Keystone Features/Getty ImagesRudolph Isley was a founding member of The Isley Brothers. The iconic ground was best known for their hits "Shout," "This Old Heart of Mine," "Twist & Shout," "It's Your Thing," and more.
Shane MacGowan
Theo Wargo/Getty ImagesShane MacGowan was the singer/songwriter/founder of The Pogues. He fronted The Pogues from 1982-1991. MacGowan and The Pogues would reform from 2001 to 2014.
Denny Laine
Mike Moore/Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty ImagesDenny Laine was a co-founder of the Moody Blues and Wings. Laine was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2018 as a member of the Moody Blues. Laine also played on all seven studio albums from Wings, which was also co-founded by Paul McCartney in 1971 following the breakup of the Beatles.
Ryan O'Neal
Jason Kempin/Getty ImagesRyan O'Neal was best known for his roles in 1970's 'Love Story' and 1973's 'Paper Moon.' O'Neal's breakout performance came as Rodney Harrington on the '60s TV series 'Peyton Place.'
Angus Cloud
Kevin Winter/Getty ImagesAngus Clous was best known for portraying Fezco on 'Euphoria.' He was only 25 years old.
Mark Margolis
Ben Gabbe/Getty ImagesMark Margolis was a veteran character actor. He was best known for roles in 'Breaking Bad,' 'Scarface,' 'Ace Ventura: Pet Detective' and more.
Rodriguez
Matt Roberts/Getty ImagesRodriguez was a working musician based in Detroit. He was the subject of the Academy Award-winning documentary 'Searching for Sugar Man.'
Piper Laurie
Frazer Harrison/Getty ImagesPiper Laurie was an Emmy Award-winning and Oscar nominated actress. Some of her most notable credits include 1961's 'The Hustler,' 1976's 'Carrie' and 1986's 'Children of a Lesser God.'
Richard Moll
David Livingston/Getty ImagesRichard Moll had an acting career that spanned four decades. However, he was best known for playing bailiff Bull Shannon on NBC's 'Night Court.'
Tyler Christopher
Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for DATGTyler Christopher was best known for portraying Nikolas Cassadine on 'General Hospital.' He won a Daytime Emmy Award for his performance in 2016.
Marty Krofft
David Livingston/Getty ImagesMarty Krofft, along with his brother Sid, created a number of popular children's/variety shows of the 1970s. Among them were 'H.R. Pufnstuf,' 'Land of the Lost' and 'Donny and Marie.'




