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MTV Co-Founder Blames YouTube for Network's Decline

11/18/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Tom Freston, MTV co-founder, reflects in Unplugged on MTV's decline, noting MTV's median viewer age is 56 and a shift away from music.
He attributes the downturn to YouTube's rise and Paramount Global's merger with Skydance Media, which will trigger significant layoffs.
Freston recalls his path from bartending to launching a clothing line in India, shaping MTV into a cultural force, and regrets missing Woodstock in 1969.

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Story summary

Tom Freston, MTV co-founder, reflects in Unplugged on MTV's decline, noting MTV's median viewer age is 56 and a shift away from music.
He attributes the downturn to YouTube's rise and Paramount Global's merger with Skydance Media, which will trigger significant layoffs.
Freston recalls his path from bartending to launching a clothing line in India, shaping MTV into a cultural force, and regrets missing Woodstock in 1969.