Business & Tech

MTV Hits 30 Year Birthday

Started out just showing music videos.

Television's MTV cable channel hits 30 years old today, starting its broadcasting on this day in 1981 from New York City.

The channel was all music videos 24 hours a day, with introductions by a Video Jockey or VJ.

The first broadcast was Video Killed the Radio Star by The Buggles. The second was a Pat Benatar video.

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Over the years, the format changed and also spun off other cable channels. MTV produced Super Bowl half time shows, including the 2004 "wardrobe malfunction" performance by Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake.

MTV also had a hit reality show of its own making, Jersey Shore.

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One of its more famous slogans was "I want my MTV" in the 1980s. The channel also played a role in encouraging younger Americans to vote in the presidential election with its "Rock the Vote" campaign.

Does anyone remember the first days of MTV?


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