45 years later: MTV debuted on this date in 1981

On August 1, 1981, MTV was launched, literally. The first moments of the channel began with the space shuttle lifting off from the launch pad before cutting to a clip that is forever etched on the ...
American Songwriter

4 Veteran Artists Who Showed Up on the First Day of MTV in 1981

On August 1, 1981, MTV made its debut on a handful of regional cable companies. The network filled up that entire first day with nothing but music videos. And many of those clips came from artists who ...
Rolling Stone

Flashback: 19 Random Minutes of MTV From the Network’s First Month in 1981

When MTV turned 10 back in 1991, the network roped in Tom Cruise, George Michael, Aerosmith, R.E.M., Madonna, and Michael Jackson for a giant anniversary special. “It’s been an amazing decade for MTV, ...
CNET

MTV and the ‘day’ the music died

MTV, aka Music Television wasn't an immediate success when it launched in 1981, but the 24-7 music network had a good run. Launched on August 1, 1981, with the Buggles’ “Video Killed the Radio Star,” ...
Collider

'MTV's 16 & Pregnant' May Have Been Inspired By a 1981 Documentary'

Michael Block is a 14 time GLAM Award nominated writer, producer, and host of the podcast Block Talk. Throughout his time in the entertainment industry, he has worked on and off Broadway as a stage ...
KTVU

45 years later: MTV debuted on this date in 1981

MTV launched on August 1, 1981, with a shuttle launch and the famous Moon Man planting the station’s flag. The network upended the music industry and grew to become a cultural force over the coming ...