Country Music Television is shaking up its schedule with a surprising announcement: the channel’s longest-running original program, CMT Hot 20 Countdown, is officially coming to an end. The show, which delivered the weekly rankings of the 20 hottest country music videos every Saturday and Sunday morning, will cease broadcasting in December 2025, marking the close of an era for the iconic network.
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.
This decision arrives on the heels of major shifts and staff cutbacks at CMT over the past eighteen months, changes that have already impacted the network’s biggest event. Less than a year ago, the annual CMT Awards—a fixture since 2002—was placed on an indefinite hiatus.
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
Despite the lack of music programming, CMT does still have one original non-music series on its schedule: the Taylor Sheridan-produced The Last Cowboy, a competition focusing on horse-reining riders. The sixth season is set to premiere on November 7th.
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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