The Wait is Over - New Caribbean Channel Tempo Launches on November 21, 2005

The Wait is Over - New Caribbean Channel Tempo Launches on November 21, 2005

Tempo's Slate of Brand New Series and Specials Cater to the Caribbean Lifestyle

NEW YORK, Nov. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- On Monday November 21, people of the Caribbean will be able to experience the much anticipated launch of Tempo, the new cable network devoted to all things Caribbean. With over 300,000 subs, Tempo is the most successfully distributed new channel by the Caribbean Cable Co-op, one Tempo's distributors.

Tempo will launch at 8:00 PM ET with "Caribbean Rising," a half-hour documentary style show that will highlight the influence Caribbean people and the region itself have had on the world. In-depth interviews with well-known and successful Caribbean talent and ex-patriots -- coupled with historical footage, still imagery and b-roll -- will help tell the tale of this culturally rich region. Caribbean politics have affected the world on a grand scale and this series will highlight political heroes such as Marcus Garvey and Shirley Chisolm. The series will also highlight the careers of a bevy of entertainment stars that have roots in the Caribbean from Celia Cruz to Bob Marley to the Notorious B.I.G.

Following "Caribbean Rising" at 8:30 PM ET will be the two and a half hour concert series "Tempo Live and Direct." Bringing the power of music to the people, the series will showcase five groundbreaking events taking place on various islands in the Caribbean. The concerts will feature an array of artists including Beres Hammond, Doug E. Fresh, Elephant Man, The Game, Jimmy Cliff, Krosfyah, Lady Saw, Luciano Machel Montano, Rihanna, Rupee, Toots and the Maytals, Wyclef Jean and many more!

Encore presentations of "Caribbean Rising," followed by "Tempo Live and Direct" will air on Tuesday, November 22 at 11:00 AM and 5:30 PM ET.

Other series viewers can expect to see on Tempo over the coming weeks include:

Cook-Up

The best current music videos from across the Caribbean are showcased in "Cook-Up," a one-hour block that includes Dancehall, Reggaeton, Reggae, and Hip-Hop, R&B, Soca, Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, Calypso, and more.

Cross-Caribbean Countdown

There has never been a Caribbean "Billboard" chart that tracks and ranks hit music across the islands. And, there's never been a chart of the top- selling records in the Caribbean, until now. The "Cross Caribbean Countdown" will do exactly that; showcase and count down the most popular music across the islands. This will be the definitive and authoritative Caribbean Music chart.

Downtown Island

Trinidadian VJ Jeanille Bonterre brings you culture in its truest form and music that'll make you grove. Conducting in-depth interviews in exciting locales, she'll make viewers feel right at home with the finest in Caribbean tunes, entertainment and culture. Whatever's happening in island life, Jeanille's got you covered.

Fire

If it's hot, trendy and in Caribbean style then Chantal Bolivar and Hector Lincoln know all about it. Covering everything from movie premieres and fashion runways to celebrity hot spots, these hip hosts keep you tapped into the pulse of the Caribbean.

Inside the Rhythm

A one-hour series that documents the lives of Caribbean artists in the midst of touring and promoting their music, "Inside the Rhythm" tells the story of these cultural ambassadors in their own words. The artists share the triumphs, struggles and sacrifices they endure as they continue to break through and cross over barriers to secure Caribbean music's rightful place on the world stage.

Pull Up Selecta

Only the toughest tunes and roughest rhythms get played here. So get ready to "whine" up your waist and bop your head to the best in dancehall, reggae, reggaeton and hip-hop music.

Respect

"Respect" will pay homage to the foundation artists in the most popular Caribbean musical genres. Key artists including Bob Marley and the Wailers, Freddie McGregor, Tito Puente, Celia Cruz, Marvin Gaye, and many more will get their Respect on Tempo.

Rockin' U

Rockin' radio airwaves for almost a decade, international radio DJ Dahved Levy brings his talk radio show to Tempo in a captivating weekly one-hour series. Continuing his standard of excellence, Dahved offers up thought- provoking discussions and controversial commentary on U.S. and Caribbean current events and entertainment.

TEMPO's "Heineken Green Synergy DJ Competition"

This program is a one-hour special documenting a battle between 18 different DJ's, representing 18 different islands in the Caribbean. Judges score each DJ's 10 minute performance, and the DJ with the highest overall score wins the top prize of $5,000. The show will document the competition, a workshop and a seminar for the DJ's with celebrity hosts Phife Dog and his DJ, Rasta Root. The special also includes interviews with the DJ's, who share the story of the events from both a competitive and personal perspective.

At launch, systems covering 20 Caribbean countries, including Anguilla, Aruba, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman, Curacao, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, Grenada, Jamaica, Montserrat, Nevis, St. Maarten, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caicos and the U.S. Virgin Islands will carry Tempo on an expanded basic level of service to more than 300,000 homes.

Tempo joins MTV Network's roster of popular and highly-targeted cable networks which includes VH1, MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, BET and Spike TV.

Launching on November 21, 2005 across the Caribbean (and in the U.S. in 2006), Tempo targets all people with a passion for the Caribbean lifestyle. The channel provides a mix of original and acquired programming that is vibrant, relevant to its audience and true to the spirit of the Caribbean and its culture.

MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom International Inc. (NYSE:VIA)(NYSE:VIA.B), is one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. MTV Networks, with more than 100 channels worldwide, owns and operates the following television programming services -- MTV: MUSIC TELEVISION, MTV2, VH1, mtvU, NICKELODEON, NICK at NITE, COMEDY CENTRAL, TV LAND, SPIKE TV, CMT, NOGGIN, LOGO, MTVN INTERNATIONAL and THE DIGITAL SUITE FROM MTV NETWORKS, a package of 13 digital services, all of these networks are trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks connects with its audiences through its robust consumer products businesses and its more than 90 interactive properties worldwide, including online, broadband, wireless and interactive television services and also has licensing agreements, joint ventures, and syndication deals whereby all of its programming services can be seen worldwide.

Contacts:
Lynne Davis/VH1 Toni Herron/VH1
212-846-5737 212-846-7528
Lynne.daviscorbin@mtvnmix.comtoni.herron@vh1staff.com

Source: VH1

CONTACT: Lynne Davis, +1-212-846-5737, Lynne.daviscorbin@mtvnmix.com, or
Toni Herron, +1-212-846-7528, toni.herron@vh1staff.com, both of VH1

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

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