The Origins of MTV: The Music Video Revolution

In the early 1980s, a groundbreaking concept was born that would forever change the landscape of the music industry as a whole. Music Television, better known as MTV, burst onto the scene, ushering in a new era of music consumption and cultural influence. However, before MTV became the iconic channel we know today, it had a predecessor called “Qube”, a bold attempt from Warner to make American television more interactive. MTV, actually, was not the first channel to broadcast music videos. A couple of years prior, Qube had a show named “Sight on Sound“, which was later adapted and perfected to be the MTV we all know and love.

In this article, we will delve into the origins of MTV, explore its predecessors, discuss its impact on the music industry, examine its lasting legacy, and unveil the first video that aired on the channel.

The Origins

Before MTV became a household name, there was Qube. Developed by Warner-Amex Satellite Entertainment, Qube was a cable television system that experimented with interactive programming. It allowed viewers to interact with their TV sets using a specialized remote control, thus paving the way for a new form of live entertainment which failed to catch on. One of the standouts from this innovative channel, was “Sight on Sound”, an interactive show that broadcasted early music videos and concerts, and had viewers vote for their favorites.

“I want my MTV!”

Seeing the success of Sight on Sound, Warner executive Robert Pittman, along with radio DJ John Lack founded MTV on August 1, 1981. The concept behind MTV was to create a channel exclusively dedicated to airing music videos, which were rapidly gaining popularity thanks to Qube. This visionary endeavor aimed to merge the worlds of music and television like never before. With a tagline of “You’ll never look at music the same way again,” MTV set out to revolutionize the way people experienced music by bringing it to life through captivating visuals. This concept did not take long to catch on with the masses, who quickly made of MTV a household name.

Impact on the Music Industry

MTV’s impact on the music industry cannot be overstated. With its 24-hour music video programming, the channel became an influential platform for promoting artists and their work. It provided a visually captivating medium through which musicians could reach a vast audience, often leading to increased record sales and widespread recognition. The exposure provided by MTV allowed emerging artists to break through the barriers of traditional radio airplay and connect directly with fans. This newfound visibility gave rise to a new era of music stars who became household names thanks to their videos being played on every TV in America.

The Legacy of MTV

The legacy of MTV lies in its ability to redefine the music industry and its lasting impact on popular culture. It transformed the way people consumed music, transitioning from radio airplay to visual experiences. Furthermore, MTV pioneered the art of music video production, inspiring countless artists to push creative boundaries and innovate within their craft. In fact, many music stars that have becomes icons of their genres, such as Nirvana or even Madonna would probably not have reached stardom had it not been for MTV. The channel’s influence changed the paradigm in other forms of media, such as film and advertising, where the power of visuals became increasingly important. Even as the way we consume media continues to evolve, the impact of MTV can still be felt in the way music videos are created and distributed today.

The First Video to Air

The very first video that MTV broadcasted was “Video Killed the Radio Star” by The Buggles. This quirky, tongue-in-cheek pop song emphasized the transformative power of the music video medium and got everyone at home to start thinking about the downturn of the Radio. The song’s catchy tune, thought-provoking lyrics and equally fitting music video captured the essence of the channel and helped in cementing MTV as one of the music industry’s most innovative breakthroughs to date.

Want to learn more about MTV and its first years? Check out our latest video on Youtube!