MTV Networks is closing down its MTV World division, which operated three networks for Asian-American youth—MTV Desi, MTV Chi and MTV K—noting that the premium distribution model for the networks “proved more challenging than we anticipated.”

MTV World was announced in December 2004, positioned as a service targeting ethnic communities in the U.S. with content repurposed from MTV’s international networks. MTV Desi, targeting South Asian Americans, rolled out on DIRECTV in July 2005, followed by MTV Chi, for Chinese-Americans, in December 2005, and MTV K, for Korean Americans, in June 2006.

In shuttering the operation, MTV noted in a statement: “Unfortunately, the premium distribution model for MTV World proved more challenging than we anticipated in this competitive environment. As a result, MTV has decided to shut down its linear MTV World operation. However, we remain steadfast in super-serving multicultural youth, and we are continuing to investigate ways to integrate the MTV Desi, Chi and K brands online and on our other screens.”

It is not yet clear if Nusrat Durrani, the senior VP and general manager of MTV World, will take up another post at the company.

The closure of MTV World follows news that MTV Networks is eliminating some 250 jobs in its U.S. operations.