Television · 1981
Music Videos, Royal Weddings, and Gritty Dramas
In 1981, television transformed as MTV revolutionized youth culture and music marketing overnight. Gritty serialized police sagas and lavish British period dramas redefined what prime-time entertainment could achieve.
- August 1, 1981 | Cable Network | USA
MTV Launches
The 24-hour music video channel hits cable airwaves with Video Killed the Radio Star, forever altering pop culture and television broadcasting.
- July 29, 1981 | Live Broadcast | UK
Royal Wedding of Prince Charles and Lady Diana
An estimated 750 million viewers worldwide tune in to watch the lavish royal wedding broadcast live from St Paul's Cathedral in London.
- January 15, 1981 | NBC | Drama
Hill Street Blues Premiere
Steven Bochco's groundbreaking police drama debuts, setting a new standard for television realism with its handheld camera work and multi-episode story arcs.
- January 12, 1981 | ABC | Soap Opera
Dynasty Premiere
Aaron Spelling's glitzy prime-time soap opera premieres, introducing the Carrington family and igniting a decade-defining battle of decadence.
- October 12, 1981 | ITV | Miniseries
Brideshead Revisited Premiere
Granada Television's sumptuous adaptation of Evelyn Waugh's novel debuts, earning global acclaim as a masterpiece of British television drama.
- September 8, 1981 | BBC One | Sitcom
Only Fools and Horses Premiere
John Sullivan's classic sitcom starring David Jason as market trader Del Boy Trotter makes its humble debut, on its way to TV immortality.
- September 28, 1981 | ITV | Animation
Danger Mouse Premiere
Cosgrove Hall's clever secret-agent animated series debuts in the UK, becoming a massive hit and international pop-culture phenomenon.
- December 4, 1981 | CBS | Soap Opera
Falcon Crest Premiere
Jane Wyman stars as ruthless matriarch Angela Channing in this new prime-time soap set in California's fictional Tuscany Valley.
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