01/01/2026
MTV Signs Off The Air in 2025 With The Song They Debuted With When They First Began in 1981
MTV debuted in 1981 with the now-classic Buggles song "Video Killed the Radio Star"
The landmark synth-pop song released by the British group The Buggles in 1979 is most famous for its role in television history and its prophetic lyrics regarding technological change.
The song was written by Trevor Horn, Geoff Downes, and Bruce Woolley. Upon its original release, it topped charts in 16 countries, including the UK, Australia, and Japan.
On December 31, 2025, MTV Music officially ended its 44-year broadcast run by playing this same iconic video as its final transmission.