MTV Networks Rings in 2005 with New Wireless Initiatives

MTV Networks Rings in 2005 with New Wireless Initiatives

MTVN to Launch 3G Video Services on Verizon Wireless Including Music Video Programming and Original Content

MTV's Made Hear: Original Ringtones, VH1's Mobile Content Storefront and Comedy Central's Joke of the Day Service to Offer Users Unique New Choices in Wireless Entertainment

LAS VEGAS and NEW YORK, Jan. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- CES -- MTV Networks today announced a series of new wireless initiatives as part of their extended plans to provide music entertainment and unique multi-platform content for consumers from the brands they love. As part of this effort, MTVN will be launching 3G video programming services with Verizon Wireless in conjunction with the February launch of Verizon Wireless' broadband EV-DO service. With content from VH1 and CMT, this marks the first 3G wireless music entertainment programming available for users in the United States.

In addition, a number of the MTV Networks including Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, VH1, and CMT will create made-for-mobile programming on Verizon's new wireless video service. For the first time ever, fans will now have access to bite-sized programming from some of their favorite television shows via their mobile phones including VH1's "Best Week Ever," Comedy Central's "The Daily Show," and Nickelodeon's "Dora the Explorer".

"Consumers are increasingly incorporating wireless content into their daily lives and MTV Networks will extend our reputation for creating compelling programming into the wireless world in even bolder new ways," commented MTV Networks CEO, Judy McGrath. "This passionate, mobile generation is thirsty for content created just for them and accessible on all platforms and with these new initiatives, we will be providing them with branded wireless entertainment they cannot find anywhere else."

MTV's Made Hear: Original Ringtones:

Taking the music ringtone experience one step further, MTV is also launching "Made Hear," an original ringtone franchise offering users exclusive ringtones developed specifically for mobile by some of the industry's hottest producers and artists, as well as MTV. The new franchise will kick off with an original album of ringtones created by Timbaland, one of the top hip-hop producers in music, to be released early next month. Partnering with Zingy Inc., the leading mobile media company, MTV will be the first to offer Timbaland's exclusive mobile content throughout the United States. Furthermore, MTV will launch "Made Hear" on a global basis through multiple mobile services around the world including: the UK, Spain, Holland, Italy, France, Germany, Japan and Latin America, making it the first, simultaneous global original ringtone premiere of its kind. "Made Hear" will also be promoted through the various MTV screens on-air, online and via *MTV on Virgin mobile phones in the U.S.

"This is not only great news for consumers but for artists as well since they'll be able to extend their creativity and reach their fans on these new platforms," said Van Toffler, MTV Networks Group President. "With MTV's Made Hear and VH1 Ringtones store, we're leveraging the power of MTV and VH1's programming and promotional platforms to not only develop the rapidly growing ringtones services but to also help build music sales in this exploding market."

VH1's Mobile Content Storefront:

VH1 is also launching a ground-breaking direct-to-consumer mobile content storefront, offering users thousands of the most popular ringtones and a collection of original, exclusive pop culture wall-paper images. Beginning today, consumers will be able to purchase ringtones and images online at ringtones.vh1.com or directly from their handsets. To promote this effort, VH1 is launching an on-air and online campaign featuring Flavor Flav, hip-hop legend and co-star of the new VH1 series "Strange Love." Flavor Flav has also recorded a series of exclusive ringtones available only through VH1's ringtone store.

Connecting to and enhanced by a number of other marquee VH1 programming, the mobile store will also feature content such as "Awesomely Bad Ringtones" and "Ringtones' Most Metal Moments." And for passionate fans of classic favorites, the storefront will include a "VH1 Classic" boutique, offering ringtones from hundreds of classic rock, pop and soul artists featured on the popular VH1 Classic television network.

COMEDY CENTRAL JOKE OF THE DAY SERVICE:

Comedy Central also offers their unique content to users needing a good laugh with their "Joke of the Day" SMS. This recently launched subscription service allows users to receive a new joke every weekday, direct from the brilliantly funny writers at Comedy Central, by simply sending a text message ("joke") to a short code ("22565"). Comedy Central will further expand its mobile content in the coming months, offering consumers yet another direct connection to their brand through wireless.

MTV Networks owns and operates the cable television programming services MTV: Music Television, MTV2, mtvU, Nickelodeon/Nick at Nite, TV Land, VH1, CMT: Country Music Television, Comedy Central, and Spike TV, as well as The Digital Suite from MTV Networks, a package of thirteen digital services, all of which are trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks also operates and offers joint ventures, licensing agreements and syndication deals whereby its programming can be seen worldwide.


Source: MTV Networks

CONTACT: Eileen Quast of MTV Communications, +1-212-846-6762, or Jeanine
Smartt, +1-212-846-7437, or Ariana Urbont, +1-310-752-8079, both of MTV
Networks, or Brett Henne of VH1 Communications, +1-212-846-6752

Web site: http://www.mtv.com/
http://ringtones.vh1.com/


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