MTV NZ to Screen the Virgin Diaries

MEDIA RELEASE

December 1, 2006

MTV NZ to Screen the Virgin Diaries

The Virgin Diaries is a controversial UK MTV reality show, premieres on MTV NZ, (Channel 35, SKY Digital) tonight at 9pm.

MTV found ten British young adults aged 16-18 who were willing to talk openly about sex, sexuality and their own virginity and filmed them over three months. Coming from a range of different backgrounds and areas in the UK, they share their most intimate thoughts, hopes and fears with MTV viewers.

From bisexual 16-year-old Mark, from Essex, who doesn’t know whether he’ll lose his virginity to a boy or a girl, to Manchester lass Nicola, 16, who reckons all her mates have become slags since having sex, the Virgin Diaries stories are compelling and startingly frank.

“There was a lot of debate over the show when it first screened in Britain and Ireland in August with critics complaining the show encouraged teenage sex and turned teenage sex into entertainment,” says MTV NZ Marketing Manager, Pip Jamieson. “However, in actuality, The Virgin Diaries is an honest and candid account of how some teenagers feel about their sexuality” .

MTV NZ has partnered with Youthline - a national youth help organisation with 11 branches throughout New Zealand. Youthline provides an integrated range of counselling and other services to meet the needs of young people. After each screening in NZ, MTV will run Youthline’s free-calling helpline number should the show bring up issues that young viewers need to talk about or seek support with.

“Its great if the programme can encourage some open discussion in New Zealand around such an important topic” reflects MTV NZ Pip Jamieson Tune in to MTV NZ (Channel 35, Sky Digital) for The Virgin Diaries every Friday at 9pm.

ENDS

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