Technological improvements in facsimile communications make the fax machine a popular business tool.

Music Television (MTV), a cable channel playing music videos twenty-four hours a day, debuts.

8 Jan.

Following an eight-year antitrust suit, American Telephone and Telegraph (AT&T) agrees to divest itself of its twenty-two Baby Bell telephone systems.

29 Jan.

The Philadelphia Bulletin ceases publication.

16 Aug.

The Saturday Review, a monthly featuring art and literary criticism, ceases publication.

15 Sept.

Gannett's national daily, USA Today, begins publication.

29 Sept.

NBC debuts the television sitcom Cheers, set in a Boston bar.