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Transmission

The first day of MTV

MTV Debut, August 1, 1981; introduction and first videoDJ Mixtrix (YouTube)
  Play Now [1:00:19]

by Jake Rudh

April 01, 2022

Last week on the show, Transmission spotlighted 120 Minutes — the alternative specialty program that aired Sunday nights on MTV back in the late '80s and 90s. This week, Jake Rudh focuses on the classic alternative and new wave artists that appeared on the very first day of MTV's existence — August 1, 1981.

Program playlist

TheBugglesVEVO
The Buggles - Video Killed The Radio Star (Official Music Video)