The CMT Hot 20 Countdown first premiered in 2013 and has been a staple for fans seeking their weekly dose of country visuals and hits. It is one of the final remaining pieces of original music programming on the channel, whose primary mission, when it debuted on March 5, 1983, was to be the first nationally available channel devoted exclusively to country music.
The Paramount Shift and Programming Cuts
According to Billboard, the reason for the shutdown appears tied to corporate restructuring. The channel's parent company, Paramount Global, finalized its merger with Skydance Media back in August 2025. This major corporate deal has seemingly accelerated the programming cuts seen across the network. The cancellation of Hot 20 Countdown signals the conclusion of all regular original music-focused programming. The staff and programming reductions over the last year and a half reflect the channel's pivoting direction, which now focuses primarily on reality shows and drama.
What’s Left? The Yellowstone Connection
However, the status of the production may change, adding an extra layer of uncertainty to CMT’s future. It was just announced that Yellowstone creator Sheridan will be departing Paramount in 2028 for a new deal with NBCUniversal, raising questions about the future of his projects across the existing network portfolio.
Next: Country Music Is Finally Recognized at 2025 MTV VMAs: Every Fan Must Watch
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