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MTV, Nickelodeon And Other TV Stations Go Off Air To Show Support For Protesters, Pay Respect To George Floyd

[Twitter/Screenshot/Public — User: VH1]

[Twitter/Screenshot/Public — User: VH1]

Nicholas Elias Contributor
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ViacomCBS networks went off the air Monday evening for eight minutes and 46 seconds to pay tribute to George Floyd, who died while in the custody of the Minneapolis Police Department.

Viewers of networks like MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central and VH1 saw their screens go completely black Monday with the words “I can’t breathe” in white while a timer ticked down from eight minutes and 46 seconds, according to CNBC.

Eight minutes and 46 seconds was reportedly the amount of time Derek Chauvin had his knee on George Floyd’s neck. The otherwise complete silence was accompanied by the sounds of someone struggling to breathe. (RELATED: Retired St. Louis Police Captain Found Shot Dead Outside Looted Store)

“We dedicate this time to the victims of police brutality and the powerful movement fighting for justice,” said VH1 on Twitter. ViacomCBS’s networks include MTV, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, Paramount Network, BET, Pop TV, CMT, VH1, Logo, Smithsonian, and CBS Sports.

According to CNBC, Chris McCarthy, president of the Entertainment & Youth Group, sent an email to employees informing them of the video. “Today at 5pm ET, the E&Y brands and platforms around the world will go dark for 8 minutes and 46 seconds to show our support for the Black Lives Matter movement, and the fight against police brutality and racial inequality,” said McCarthy.

“We must continue to work together, to look within, and to support one other and our fellow humans – all with compassion for each other,” said McCarthy further into the letter, according to CNBC.