MTV, the iconic cable television network that began as a 24-hour platform for music videos, launched at midnight on August 1, 1981, and forever changed the relationship between music and television. Its debut broadcast opened with “Ladies and gentlemen, rock and roll,” followed by a rocket launch animation and the iconic first music video, “Video Killed the Radio Star” by the Buggles (starts at 1:13 in the video below).
Watch the nostalgic first two hours of MTV’s first broadcast, filled with music videos introduced by video disc jockeys (or “veejays”), as the brand new concept of a music television channel set the tone for a cultural revolution through the 80s and 90s.
The Launch: A Rocket to the Future
MTV’s inaugural broadcast began with a launch—literally. The first image was a NASA rocket launch, symbolizing MTV’s grand ambitions. As the countdown ended, the channel’s now-iconic logo appeared, interspersed with moon landing footage. The channel’s first words, delivered by co-creator John Lack, were: “Ladies and gentlemen, rock and roll.”
This powerful opener seamlessly transitioned into the first music video ever aired: “Video Killed the Radio Star” by The Buggles. This choice wasn’t accidental; it was a cheeky nod to MTV’s intention to redefine how people consumed music.
The First Two Hours: A Musical Time Capsule
The first two hours of MTV’s broadcast featured an eclectic mix of genres, reflecting the diversity of its target audience. Here’s a snapshot of the videos that played and their timestamps in the video:
- The Buggles – “Video Killed the Radio Star” (@ 1:13)
- Pat Benatar – “You Better Run” (@ 5:18)
- Rod Stewart – “She Won’t Dance With Me” (@ 12:03)
- The Who – “You Better You Bet” (@ 14:31)
- Ph.D. – “Little Suzi’s on the Up” (@ 20:16)
- Pretenders – “Brass in Pocket” (@23:19)
- Todd Rundgren – “Time Heals” (@ 26:27)
- Styx – “Rockin’ Paradise” (@31:26)
- Robin Lane & The Chartbusters – “When Things Go Wrong” (@ 37:21)
- Split Enz – “History Never Repeats” (@43:36)
These videos, accompanied by early VJs like Mark Goodman and Nina Blackwood, introduced viewers to a new style of music presentation. Unlike radio, where DJs were anonymous voices, MTV’s VJs became personalities, connecting the audience to the music on a personal level.
Behind the Scenes at MTV’s First Broadcast: An Uncertain Gamble
Launching MTV was a high-stakes bet. The founders struggled to convince cable operators to carry the channel, as music videos were still a novelty in the United States. At the time, only a handful of artists had embraced the format.
The first two hours were also fraught with technical challenges. Reports suggest that glitches plagued the early broadcast, including missed cues and sound issues. However, these hiccups didn’t deter the audience; the novelty of 24-hour music television was enough to captivate early adopters.
Unseen Heroes: The Backstories
- The Buggles’ Legacy: The choice of “Video Killed the Radio Star” wasn’t just clever; it was prophetic. While the song’s video was already a hit in the UK, its placement as MTV’s first video cemented its place in pop culture history.
- VJs on the Fly: The original VJs were essentially inventing their roles. With no playbook for how to host a music video channel, their casual yet charismatic style became a hallmark of MTV’s brand.
- Industry Pushback: Many traditionalists in the music industry viewed MTV skeptically, fearing it would prioritize visuals over musicianship. However, artists like Duran Duran and Madonna quickly adapted, leveraging the visual medium to elevate their careers.
The Legacy of MTV’s First Hours
Those first two hours of MTV’s broadcast defined the channel’s identity and set the stage for the fusion of music and visual art. It’s pretty incredible how fully-baked their branding, messaging, and style were even in the first broadcast. By the mid-1980s, MTV was a powerhouse dictating music, fashion, and cultural trends.
Today, revisiting these early moments offers a glimpse into a time when the music industry was on the cusp of transformation.
