MTV was shut down in 2002 as it was found guilty of violating article 68 of the electoral law of 1999 which bans propaganda during the election process,[1] but since other Lebanese channels did not comply with the law either, some observers suspect that the closure was due to MTV's criticism of the Lebanese government and of Syria.

[2] In 2005, the Lebanese parliament decided to amend Article 68 and reopen the station after the Syrian troops withdrew from Lebanon and the anti-Syrian opposition coalition won a majority in Lebanon's parliament, but the station remained closed.

[1] MTV partners with Studiovision and produces all its productions at their studios, which are in Lebanon and Dubai.

[3] To access premium content on MTV's website and mobile apps, a person outside Lebanon must subscribe.

[4] The Lebanese Ministry of Justice's Commercial Register mention five co-owners of MTV SAL.