Iconic Network MTV Turns 30

On this day 30 years ago, an unknown cable startup brought viewers a fresh look at music on television. Now, 30 years later, MTV has become one of the
leading voices in music with a brand that's recognizable around the world.

On its launch on August 1, 1981, one of MTV's first images broadcast was the launch of Apollo 11 and a music video for the Buggles' song, "Video Killed the Radio Star." Since then, the iconic cable network grew from its limited exposure and videos to one of the most influential power players within the music, television and pop culture worlds.

One of MTV's first VJs, Mark Goodman, recalled to Rolling Stone how the network was able to help revitalize the record industry in a sense. "We sort of propped it up when there was kind of an indulgence in the industry," Goodman stated. "We were coming off 'Saturday Night Fever' in 1979 and the industry had this gigantic bubble and then things got awful quiet. We came along just in time and revitalized things, or at least opened people up to more music."

And while MTV has been on a more reality-show route, we take this time to honor the station that dared to show the visuals from the songs we love for the past three decades. Happy 30th anniversary MTV!