30 Years of MTV And How it Changed Our Lives

In the opening moments of MTV’s first historic broadcast, an announcer read the following monologue:

The First 10 Music Videos Played On MTV

In its first hour of broadcast, MTV set the tone for the decades of music videos that would follow. Here are the first 10 music videos that were played on MTV.

1. Video Killed the Radio Star – The Buggles
2. You Better Run – Pat Benatar
3. She Won’t Dance – Rod Stewart
4. You Better You Bet – The Who
5. Little Susie’s on the Up – Ph.D.
6. We Don’t Talk Anymore – Cliff Richard
7. Brass in Pocket – The Pretenders
8. Time Heals – Todd Rundgren
9. Take It on the Run – REO Speedwagon
10. Rockin’ the Paradise – Styx

MTV’s First Commercial Advertisers

In between music videos, MTV played commercials from advertisers looking to reach the youth demographic. Atari, Mountain Dew, and others were part of the first day of programming.

The First “Video Jockeys”

Instead of disc jockeys, like what we had on the radio, MTV had video jockeys. MTV’s first VJs were Alan Hunter, J.J. Jackson, Nina Blackwood, Martha Quinn and Mark Goodman.

“This is IT. Welcome to MTV – music television.” Says Mark Goodman. “The world’s first 24 hour stereo video music channel. Just moments ago all of the VJ’s and crew here at MTV collectively hit our executive producer – Sue Steinberg – over the head with a bottle of champagne and behold – a new concept is born. The best of TV combined with the best of radio. Your favorite tunes are never too far away anytime you tune in. “

MTV Without Music Videos