For the first time in NZ’s history MTV is YOURS

For the first time in NZ’s history MTV is YOURS

SEE IT ON SKY CHANNEL 35 August 18 2006

Auckland, NZ, July 19 2006 - MTV NZ is set to explode onto television screens on August 18 at 6PM, with a look, feel and sound that can only be homegrown in NZ.

From August 18 on SKY Digital Channel 35, New Zealand will witness a MTV that speaks, sounds, looks and feels like NZ delivering a voice for local youth, a forum for local artists and a platform to encourage creativity.

Leading up to the launch of MTV NZ on August 18, MTV have already employed 22 NZ-based staff with the team set to significantly expand in 2007. Positions within areas such as marketing, sales, programming, creative, production and administration are being filled with NZ’s local experts, ensuring MTV is pure NZ from the inside out.

Chris Keely, MTV NZ General Manager, says “in creating an MTV that is unique to New Zealand we need the New Zealand insight and who better to create that than New Zealanders themselves.”

John Fellet, CEO, SKY Television says SKY is delighted to add another locally produced channel to the platform. “We are always looking to add value to the SKY service and the addition of MTV NZ to the SKY line-up not only complements our existing channels, but will especially appeal to our viewers in the 18-25 demographic.”

With the enormous pool of creativity in NZ, MTV has had no problem securing talented production and creative staff. Creatively, MTV’s brand identity has adopted a NZ feel thanks to the help of NZ born designer Ash Bolland from Umeric. And to build on this exciting work, Jason Duncan, ex-Oktober NZ, has been enlisted as On Air Promo Producer.

MTV’s comical launch campaign, commencing on July 21, was devised by Lowe Hunt and enlisted the expertise of Auckland-based production company Silverscreen to bring the concept to life. Creating a metaphorical MTV elixir from cow’s milk, the campaign embraces outdoor, television and print.

“Having the opportunity to work on an MTV commercial for NZ is a dream come true for me…” says award winning director Michael Spiccia from Auckland’s Silverscreen “everything about these ads say that MTV is in New Zealand from the beautiful locations to the local cast, to the iconic Stereogram track. I mean what better way to speak to NZ!”

Set to produce the newest film clip for NZ’s Evermore, Spiccia specializes in music videos and has directed videos for some of the music industry’s elite including Grinspoon, End of Fashion and Delta Goodrem.

MTV NZ Programming is set to sizzle with the recent appointment of More-FM’s Stefan Chapman.

“The launch of a truly kiwi MTV is a hugely exciting opportunity,” said Chapman, “Not only does the NZ public get to finally see all the programs they have been hearing about internationally, but we now have an exceptional new outlet to enjoy the wealth of NZ music in the market”

Together with flagship MTV programmes like Punkd, Pimp My Ride and Laguna Beach, NZ will also be devoted to producing its very own MTV programs Full Tank and 100% Pure NZ, a local music show dedicated to NZ music releases only. This will be an ongoing opportunity for local musicians to gain exposure and have a direct relationship with the MTV brand and audience.

MTV NZ will be committed to bringing maximum local music to your television screens with an expectation of delivering around 30% of local music content.

What to expect

- Local faces hosting MTV NZ shows
- Programs devoted to showcasing NZ talent
- On the ground team of local experts with only more recruits from NZ’s creative industries to come.
- 24 hour music television that is uniquely caters for NZ youth
- A mix of flagship MTV programming with local programs
- To be entertained, invigorated and your boundaries tested.

What not to expect

- A feed from Australia, the UK or the US.

MTV Networks International includes the premier multimedia entertainment brands MTV: Music Television, VH1, Nickelodeon, TMF (The Music Factory), VIVA, Paramount Comedy and Game One seen in 442.9 million households in 170 countries and 28 languages via 121 locally programmed and operated TV channels and 95 Web sites. The company's diverse holdings also include interests in television syndication, digital media, publishing, home video, radio, recorded music, licensing & merchandising and two feature film divisions, MTV Films and Nickelodeon Movies. MTV Networks is a unit of Viacom International Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B).

About SKY Television: SKY Television (SKY), broadcasting via both UHF and DTH is New
Zealand’s pre-eminent Pay TV operator, offering a wide range of sports, movies, music, on-demand and general content across more than 80 channels. SKY’s channel line-up includes 6 sports channels, 5 movie channels, 5 general entertainment channels, 4 documentary channels, 3 news channels, 4 children’s channels, as well as other niche channels. (At 06 April 2006, SKY had 650,522 subscribers).

ENDS

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