Throwback Thursday

Flashback 1981: Introducing Music Television

SV Staff  |  Aug 11, 2016

When Music Television, better known as MTV, launched 35 years ago this month—12:01am on August 1, 1981 to be precise—the idea of a 24-hour video music channel was foreign (as it is again today) yet fascinating as we got to see beloved pop heroes “playing” music against often outlandish video sets.

The first music video played on the network was the ironically titled ‘Video Killed the Radio Star” by The Buggles, a band virtually unknown in the U.S. that would go on to become one of the biggest one-hit wonders of all time thanks to its heavy rotation in the early days of MTV.

Other artists featured in videos during MTV’s launch hour included Pat Benatar, Rod Stewart, The Who, Cliff Richard, The Pretenders, Todd Rundgren, Styx, Split Enz, and .38 Special.

History.com recaps MTV’s early days:

In MTV’s early days, its programming consisted of basic music videos that were introduced by VJs (video jockeys) and provided for free by record companies. As the record industry recognized MTV’s value as a promotional vehicle, money was invested in making creative, cutting-edge videos. Some directors, including Spike Jonze (Being John Malkovich, Three Kings) and Michel Gondry (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind), worked on music videos before segueing into feature films. In the 1980s, MTV was instrumental in promoting the careers of performers such as Madonna, Michael Jackson, Prince and Duran, whose videos played in heavy rotation.

By the late 1980s, MTV started airing non-video programming, geared toward teenagers and young adults. Its popular reality series The Real World launched in 1992 and was followed by such highly rated shows as The Osbournes, Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica, Laguna Beach, My Super Sweet 16 and The Hills. MTV also debuted animated series including Beavis and Butthead and Celebrity Deathmatch, as well as documentaries, news, game shows and public service campaigns on topics ranging from voting rights to safe sex. MTV developed a reputation for pushing cultural boundaries and taste; the airing of Madonna’s 1989 “Like a Prayer” video is just one famous example. In 1984, the channel launched the MTV Music Video Awards, which were followed in 1992 by the MTV Movie Awards. Today, MTV’s music-video programming is largely confined to one show, Total Request Live.

Are you old enough to remember when MTV launched? What was your favorite video?


MTV’s original broadcast on August 1, 1981.


”Video Killed the Radio Star,” the first video played on MTV.

COMMENTS
funambulistic's picture
Submitted by funambulistic on August 11, 2016 - 2:35pm

*insert Killing Joke song by the same name*

I remember when MTV debuted in Lubbock when I was a sophomore at Texas Tech in '82-83. We would go across the street to a pizza joint/bar, order copious amount of pitchers and watch, in wonder, the glorious music videos. I already had the usual suspects of the video age on LP, but they would show all sorts of stuff; Janice Joplin live, the Who (w/ Keith Moon, of course) etc. I watched MTV through about '98. Videos were still going strong, 120 Minutes and Alternative Nation were awesome (as was Kennedy) Beavis and Butthead were too funny, and, of course, Unplugged. I even accepted shorts like Aeon Flux. Then came the downfall; reality TV vs actual music. I did not care about a "real world", somebody's gaudily decorated mansion or how to pimp my ride). I read that they are bringing back "classic" MTV, but it is still filled with programs over music. Times change; we all change but "I Want My MTV" still rings in my head...

PS - MTV debuted (as well as Rush Limbaugh) on the anniversary of my birth, which is kinda neat.

brenro's picture
Submitted by brenro on August 12, 2016 - 6:59am

I was in the Marine Corps when MTV debuted. I remember being in base operations one weekend. It was swarming with pilots filing flight plans. There was a small TV sitting on the counter tuned to MTV and what comes on but Boy George singing Do You Really Want To Hurt Me. The Boy caused quite a sensation that day.

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