Which band won Video of the Year in 1986 for 'Money for Nothing'?

“Which band won Video of the Year in 1986 for ‘Money for Nothing’?” — Dire Straits won with “Money for Nothing.”

The award came at the 1986 MTV Video Music Awards, held on September 5. Dire Straits’ video defeated nominees including a-ha’s “Take On Me,” Godley & Creme’s “Cry,” Robert Palmer’s “Addicted to Love,” and Talking Heads’ “Road to Nowhere.” The victory made “Money for Nothing” the ceremony’s defining rock-video success.

Directed by Steve Barron, the clip used computer-generated imagery to depict muscular construction workers watching music videos on television. Its early computer animation was visually novel for mainstream music television, while the song’s famous guitar riff and satirical lyrics made it one of Dire Straits’ signature recordings.

“Money for Nothing” was also the most nominated video of the 1986 ceremony, earning 11 nominations. It won two: Video of the Year and Best Group Video. A-ha was the night’s biggest winner, taking eight awards, including Viewer’s Choice for “Take On Me,” so the two groups’ achievements are often confused when recalling the ceremony.