ACTIVISM

Political and social activism have permeated MTV’s “Ladies and mission and programming since its launch. Here is a look at some of the causes the channel has supported: gentlemen, rock SAFE SEX In January 1985, MTV became one of the first networks to air safe sex PSAs. In and roll.” December 2011, it changed the color of its logo to red in support 40TH ANNIVERSARY OF of World AIDS Day, urging young people to get tested. THE DEBUT OF One of its original programs, “Teen Mom,” is cited as influencing a recent reduction in teen birth rates.

DISASTER RELIEF MTV has hosted numerous benefits in relief of natural disasters across the globe, including broadcasting “Live AID” in 1985 to raise awareness of the famine in Ethiopia; MTVOn Aug. 1, 1981, at 12:01 a.m., MTV producing ReAct Now, a special officially launched with The Buggles’ that raised “Video Killed the Radio Star.” The first hour millions for Hurricane Katrina victims; and the 2010 “Hope featured videos by the Buggles, Pat Benatar, for Haiti” telethon for Rod Stewart, The Who, Cliff Richard, The earthquake relief. In 2017, “Hand in Hand” raised funds Pretenders, Todd Rundgren, Styx, Split for Hurricanes Harvey and Enz and .38 Special. In the 40 years since Irma victims. that day, MTV has been at the forefront of developments in music, pop culture, POLITICS MTV has continually engaged entertainment and activism. Here is a look at young people in politics by how the channel has broken ground and stressing the importance of voting and highlighting evolved to serve today’s youth: important issues. Young people were urged to “Rock W As MTV came on air, viewers saw the 1969 Apollo 11 moon landing and then an astronaut placing the the Vote” in MTV logo flag on the moon. The “Moon Man” became an icon of the station, featured as the Video 1990. The Music Awards statue. Later, MTV redubbed it as the “Moon Person” to be more inclusive. “Choose or Lose” campaign centered on the 1992 presidential election, when GROUNDBREAKING SERIES the channel hosted a series of forums with Bill Clinton. In MUSIC VIDEOS ‘THE REAL WORLD’ ‘MTV CRIBS’ 2008, MTV hosted Hillary Clinton, John McCain and In December 1983, MTV debuted Michael Reality television entered the mainstream on Premiering in October Barack Obama for a Jackson’s 14-minute “Thriller” film and May 21, 1992, with the debut of this soap 2000, MTV Cribs featured discussion ahead of the music video, the first such video to combine opera following three months in the lives of tours of the homes of election. And in 2020, the the world of filmmaking and music. seven young adults who meet for the first celebrities. “+1thevote” campaign was time and live in a New York City loft together. aimed at first-time voters, ‘PUNK’D’ making voting an experience ‘BEAVIS AND BUTT-HEAD’ The hidden camera/practical joke series was to be shared with friends, or a “plus one.” “Beavis and Butt-Head,” an original hosted and produced by Ashton Kutcher MTV VIDEO MUSIC AWARDS animated series starring two suburban and debuted in 2003. The first “MTV Video Music Awards” aired misfits and created by Mike Judge, debuted EQUALITY from Radio City Music Hall in New York City in March 1993. ‘LAGUNA BEACH’ On Jan. 10, 2001, MTV on Sept. 14, 1984. In September 2004, MTV premiered launched “Fight For Your ‘THE JON STEWART SHOW’ television’s first “reality drama” series Rights: Take A Stand Against ‘CLUB MTV’ “Laguna Beach – The Real Orange County.” Discrimination” and ran a On Oct. 25, 1993, MTV premiered The Jon scroll listing the “Club MTV,” a video-age dance show hosted Stewart Show, the first talk show on MTV. names of by “Downtown” Julie Brown, debuted on ‘16 & PREGNANT’ hundreds of Aug. 31, 1987. It was the first program on ‘ROAD RULES’ On June 11, 2009, MTV aired the victims of various the network to have a Monday through groundbreaking documentary “16 & hate crimes Friday daily time slot. In July 1994, “Road Rules,” MTV’s first docu-adventure series, debuted and starred Pregnant” as an intimate look inside the lives across the country. The scroll five strangers who travel across the globe, of teens as they face unexpected ran continuously for more than ‘REMOTE CONTROL’ tackling a series of adventures and pregnancies and become parents at a young 17 hours. On April 30, 2014, MTV’s first game show, “Remote Control,” challenges posed along the way. age. A spin-off series, “Teen Mom,” the “Look Different” campaign challenged contestants’ TV knowledge. It launched in December 2009. to combat the hidden racial, launched in December 1987. ‘TRL’ gender and LGBT inequality in ‘JERSEY SHORE’ society launched. On Jan. 19, ‘YO! MTV RAPS’ TRL (or Total 2015, all programming aired Request Live) Also in December 2009, “Jersey Shore” in black and white, Debuting on Aug. 7, 1988, the weekly rap with Carson Daly premiered and became the No. 1 show encouraging audiences to music show featured Fab 5 with Doctor Dre as the host across all television and MTV’s highest rated have #TheTalk on race and and Ed Lover as hosts. debuted in 1998. series. relations. A similar campaign TRL was one of later that year used satire to ‘MTV UNPLUGGED’ the first truly interactive television shows. ‘CATFISH’ expose systemic racism and “Unplugged” debuted in November 1989 In November 2012, white privilege. At 5 p.m. on with performances by Squeeze, Syd Straw ‘JACKASS’ a national phenom June 20, 2020, MTV went off and Elliot Easton and later featured Bob On Oct. 1, 2000, MTV premiered the weekly was launched with the air for eight minutes and Dylan, Eric Clapton, Pearl Jam, Nirvana, LL comedy show that featured silly pranks and the series that exposed the potential 46 seconds in honor of Cool J, Tony Bennet and Alanis Morissette. ridiculous stunts. It lead to a film series. dangers of the modern dating world. George Floyd and in support of social justice.

BULLYING NOTABLE BRANDS In December 2009, MTV launched the “A THIN LINE” campaign, empowering America’s youth to identify, respond to and stop the spread of digital abuse. In 2011, President Obama recognized MTV MTV2 MTVU MTV LIVE MTV CLASSIC MTV’s efforts to Central entertainment Creates comedy, music Broadcast to more than A 24-hour music network Features a mix of fan- fight online bullying during brand focused on youth and lifestyle entertainment 750 college campuses. featuring series, events, favorite MTV series and the White House Conference content and pop culture. for millennial males. Reaches 9 million students. performances and videos. music programming. on Bullying Prevention.

PHOTOS: mtvpress.com | ICONS: Adrien Coquet, icon 54, Kayla Valencia and Matt Wasser from the Noun Project | GRAPHIC: Heather Bremer, CNHI News Indiana