MTV debuts Aug. 1,1981 with a clip of the Buggles' "Video Killed the Radio Star." The channel confirms the concept of cable niche programming, reshapes music marketing and becomes a symbol of youth culture. The first MTV VJs are Nina Blackwood, Mark Goodman, Alan Hunter, J.J. Jackson and Martha Quinn. The channel ends the year with 2.1 million subscribing households.
"I Want My MTV" ad campaign arrives March 1 featuring Pete Townshend, Stevie Nicks, Mick Jagger, Adam Ant, Pat Benatar, the Police and David Bowie. The MTV logo debuts, and its promotional clip of astronauts planting a MTV flag on the moon is one of the year's most enduring TV images.