Music Channel to Celebrate 80s-00s Artists & MTV Programming

Music Channel to Celebrate Artists & MTV Programming From The 80s To The 00s

Auckland, New Zealand, Monday 7 March 2011: Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN), a unit of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), announced today that MTV Classic New Zealand will launch on June 1st 2011 through SKY Television.

MTV Classic is a 24-hour music television channel designed specifically to showcase classic contemporary music and artists. Aimed at 25-40 year old New Zealand music lovers, MTV Classic will complement MTV’s flagship channel, MTV New Zealand, with a music and music-inspired entertainment format centered on artists, music genres and programming from the 80s to the 00s.

MTV Classic will showcase the artists and hits that have been part of the music landscape since the network’s inception in 1981. Home to back catalogue and current hits of international artists such as Madonna, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Michael Jackson and Prince, alongside iconic New Zealand acts from the same period including Crowded House, The Exponents and Shihad, MTV Classic will also broadcast acclaimed MTV music- inspired series including MTV Unplugged, Behind the Music, Storytellers and The Osbournes, along with early artist footage from the MTV archives.

Rebecca Batties, GM, Music Brands, VIMN Australia & New Zealand, said: “Viacom has a tremendous array of content in the music, kids and comedy arenas, and we are delighted to be able to now add MTV Classic as part of SKY Television’s irresistible line- up.” Batties added, “No one can deny the impact that major artists from the 80s through to the 00s continue to have on music, and MTV Classic will provide New Zealand fans with access to the tracks and artists that have become the soundtrack to their lives.”

Travis Dunbar, SKY’s Director of Entertainment Programming is equally as pleased about the addition of MTV Classic to MTV Networks New Zealand stable. “Not only does this cement MTV Networks as our largest external channel supplier, but shows their ability to identify and programme content specifically for New Zealand audiences. I’m sure the launch of MTV Classic will be welcomed as great news by Kiwis that are true fans of classic contemporary music and artists, and, as a complement to our existing channels, MTV Classic will provide an entertaining and compelling addition for our customers.”

About Viacom International Media Networks (formerly MTV Networks International)
Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN), a unit of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), is comprised of many of the world’s most popular multimedia entertainment brands, including MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, BET, non-premium Paramount branded channels, VH1, VIVA, MTVNHD, Tr3s: MTV, Musicá y Mas, TMF (The Music Factory), COLORS and Game One. Viacom brands are seen globally in more than 600 million households in 160 territories and 34 languages via 166 locally programmed and operated TV channels and more than 550 digital media properties. VIMN’s diverse holdings also include interests in television syndication, publishing, home video and licensing & merchandising.

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