COMEDY CENTRAL, VH1 and mtvU Broadband Networks Optimized for Microsoft Windows XP Media Center

COMEDY CENTRAL, VH1 and mtvU Broadband Networks Optimized for Microsoft Windows XP Media Center

On-Demand Music, Comedy and Entertainment Programming Now Available On TVs and Other Screens Connected to Media Center PCs

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- MTV Networks today announced that music, comedy and entertainment programming from its popular COMEDY CENTRAL, VH1 and mtvU broadband networks is now optimized for PC's running Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005. In optimizing its vast catalogs of on-demand content to work with the Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 platform, MTV Networks is on the forefront of delivering the world's best music and entertainment programming on all platforms -- television, broadband, online and wireless.

Media Center PC and Media Center Extender users can now access on-demand programming -- including music videos, stand-up performances, news and other compelling entertainment -- from COMEDY CENTRAL's "MotherLoad", VH1's "VSPOT" and mtvU's broadband services through their televisions or other screens in the home, using a remote control from the comfort of their couch.

"Our audience is a generation that knows no boundaries when it comes to entertainment and communication, and our relevant cutting-edge content must do the same," said Judy McGrath, Chairman and CEO, MTV Networks. "Through our partnership with Microsoft, we're putting our audience in the driver's seat. They can choose how and when they want to interact with our content, creating a customized, interactive on-demand programming experience."

"Providing Media Center Edition users with fresh, compelling content from top providers on their PC and around the home on devices such as the Xbox 360 is an important part of our vision for the digital lifestyle," said Joe Belfiore, corporate vice president of the Windows eHome Division at Microsoft Corp. "After the great feedback we received from consumers following the launch of MTV Overdrive last year, we're thrilled to work with MTV Networks to debut COMEDY CENTRAL, VH1 and mvtU broadband networks."

"Our audience already loves watching hot programming like COMEDY CENTRAL's "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart," VH1's "Live@VH1.com" and mtvU's "Stand In" on their PCs," said Jason Hirschhorn, Chief Digital Officer, MTV Networks. "Now, thanks to our ongoing relationship with Microsoft, our audiences will be able to access all that same great short-form content in a linear fashion, on demand or in their own custom order from the comfort of their couch."

The debut of "MotherLoad", VSPOT and mtvU broadband services on the Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 platform follows the successful roll-out of MTV's "Overdrive" broadband network for Media Center last October.

In addition to consuming content directly on their Media Center PCs, viewers can watch the same programming on their television or other screen in the home -- and can seamlessly toggle between television-based and on-demand programming environments. Viewers can access the content on their televisions through an Xbox 360 game console or a Media Center Extender connected to their Media Center PC over a wired or wireless connection.

All networks are available on Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 through Online Spotlight, a convenient, central location online for viewers to discover the latest on-demand content and services. Consumers can find out more about Online Spotlight at http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/mediacenter/evaluation/onlinespotlight.mspx

Viewers can access a vast catalog of music videos, exclusive performances, regularly updated news features and movie trailers, including:

* VSPOT, VH1's pop culture and entertainment broadband network, delivers
VH1's best video programming on-demand. VSPOT's Music, Movies, Shows and
Hot Stuff channels offer thousands of music videos, artist interviews,
live events coverage, behind-the-scenes access, and exclusive in-studio
performances from artists like The White Stripes and INXS. Viewers can
also watch VSPOT originals, movie clips and trailers, VH1 shows like
"The Surreal Life" and "Hogan Knows Best" and outtakes from such shows
as "I Love the 80s" and "Celebrity Fit Club."

* COMEDY CENTRAL's "MotherLoad" features exclusive and dedicated content
including video clips from current and classic COMEDY CENTRAL shows,
including "The Daily Show with Jon Stewart." No matter your taste,
"MotherLoad" is the best source for a comedy snack. Additional exclusive
and dedicated content includes sneak previews, behind-the-scenes
exclusives, highlights from thousands of stand-up performances, and
newly created exclusive short-form series such as "I Love The Thirties,"
"Odd Todd," "Meet the Creeps" and much more.

* mtvU, the only 24-hour network dedicated to emerging music and
everything that's great about college, is the first MTV Networks channel
to be distributed in its entirety both live and on-demand on MCE,
enabling viewers to program their own channel or just sit back and
watch. At the heart of the channel are music videos from emerging
artists that can't be seen anywhere else, as well as short-form series
such as "Stand In," where global icons such as Madonna, Bill Gates,
Marilyn Manson, Tom Wolfe, Sting and others surprise-teach a class for
the day. Other great shows include "Does this Look Infected?" and
"Fresh Produce" -- which profiles the best student-submitted video.

Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 delivers advanced computing plus easy-to-use integrated digital entertainment, including live and recorded television, movies, music, photos and radio, that consumers can enjoy when and how they want. It provides an all-in-one digital entertainment hub, accessible on either a PC monitor or TV display, using a single remote control.

About MTV Networks

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, VH1 CLASSIC, 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 80 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.

Source: MTV Networks Corporate Communications

CONTACT: David Bittler, MTVN, +1-212-846-5263,
David.bittler@mtvstaff.com

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

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