Paul Natkin/WireImage via Getty Images The launch of MTV on August 1, 1981 marked a new era in music, entertainment, and pop culture. MTV originally played 24 hours of nonstop music videos. The VJs were MTV hosts who curated soundtracks, interviewed musicians, and added cultural commentary to music videos. The original five VJs were Nina Blackwood, Mark Goodman, JJ Jackson, Martha Quinn, and Alan Hunter. Visit INSIDER's homepage for more stories. On August 1, 1981, MTV broadcast "Video Killed the Radio Star" by The Buggles, a British band that was practically unheard-of prior to that day.