VH1 Soul Kicks Off Black History Month by Re-Launching February 1 in Nearly 20 Million Homes With Its First Ever Line-up of Themed Music Video Programs

VH1 Soul Kicks Off Black History Month by Re-Launching February 1 in Nearly 20 Million Homes With Its First Ever Line-up of Themed Music Video Programs

Anthony Hamilton Hosts New 'Soulphrodisiac' Program on Valentine's Day

NEW YORK, Jan. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- VH1 Soul celebrates Black History Month by re-launching on February 1 in nearly 20 million homes with its first-ever line-up of 10 separate themed music video program blocks that spotlight the top names and new faces in R&B music today.

Launched in 1997, VH1 Soul is the 24-hour network that brings music lovers the hottest, soul, neo-soul and R&B hits from the 90s and today featuring core artists such as Alicia Keys, Jill Scott, Outkast, Mary J. Blige and Usher. VH1 Soul is now seen in the top 20 U.S. markets for African-Americans.

"VH1 Soul has already proven to be a hit among upscale African Americans who enjoy a robust roster of both accomplished and up-and-coming R&B artists," said Eric Sherman, Senior Vice President, General Manager, VH1 Digital Television. "This re-launch reflects VH1 Soul's growth into a true destination. We're building on our community of R&B music lovers by offering specific events and programming blocks that enhance the network's accessibility and enjoyment."

As part of the re-launch celebration, VH1 Soul will world premiere a new video every Monday throughout February. The first VH1 Soul world premiere video of the month will be Dwele's "Weekend Love" on Monday, February 6, followed by the World Premiere of Goapele's "First Love" on February 13th. In addition, our "You Oughta Know" artist, Anthony Hamilton, the soul singer often compared to such classic R&B vocalists as Bill Withers and Bobby Womack, will host VH1 Soul's "Soulphrodisiac" romantic music video show on Valentine's Day, Tuesday, February 14.

Also beginning in February, VH1 Soul will highlight the hottest video pick of each week in "Soul Spotlight," granting a video at least 100 spins for that week.

The VH1 Soul programming blocks include:

THE SOUL PLAYER - This program samples the full range of music videos on VH1 Soul from the current playlist to our entire library of videos, including mainstream R&B, underground, neo-soul and old school.

TOP 10: BEST IN SOUL - Each week, VH1 Soul will count down the Top 10 biggest soul and R&B videos out there. In addition, artists will occasionally visit the show and program their own Top 10 favorite videos.

SOULPHRODISIAC - Sit back, relax and let VH1 Soul set the mood with sexy, soulful lovesongs and ballads from artist such as Maxwell, D'Angelo and Mary J. Blige.

LIVE SOUL - VH1 Soul presents live concert performances and music videos from your favorite soul and R&B artists.

SPEAK YOUR SOUL - VH1 Soul plays the videos that viewers request at vh1soulrequests@vh1.com. Viewers can also include their special dedications in their emails, which will be read on the air via voiceovers. On Sundays, VH1 Soul will air a special "Inspirational" request hour of "SPEAK YOUR SOUL," featuring current gospel music videos.

SOUL SQUARED - Back-to-back double plays of VH1 Soul music video artists.

SOUL SCHOOL - VH1 Soul will take you way back in the day with the very best old-school hip hop and R&B videos from the 80s and 90s celebrating artists like Salt-N-Pepa, Al B. Sure, Big Daddy Kane, Jodeci, MC Lyte and Guy and others.

THE SOUL STORY - This program chronicles the entire career of a featured VH1 Soul artist by airing a timeline of their music videos from oldest to most current.

SUB SOUL -When you tire of the mainstream, discover these underground, alternative, independent artists who are under the radar - for now.

ISLAND SOUL - Warming the coldest of days, this block features the hottest reggae, socca, calypso, ska, dancehall, reggae-ton videos including artists such as Sean Paul, I Wayne, Damien Marley, Shabba Ranks, Patra, Elephant Man, Shelley Thunder and T.O.K.

VH1 Soul Album Release Parties and Tour Support

VH1 Soul also airs exclusive Album Release listening parties that spotlight VH1 Soul artists and their new work. Listening parties include airing the new album in its entirety, a block of the artist's music videos back-to-back, artist interviews and live artist performances and concerts. VH1 Soul has aired listening parties for Angie Stone, Floetry, Jill Scott, The Roots, Common, Kindred, Dwele, K-OS, and Heather Headly.

In addition, VH1 Soul supports the artists breaking into the R&B music world by presenting their tours, providing them with valuable exposure on the network and its website at http://www.vh1soul.com/. VH1 Soul has presented tours by Leela James, Jaguar Wright, Kindred, the Family Soul and Floetry.

Launched in 1997, VH1 Soul is the 24-hour network that brings music lovers the hottest, soul, neo-soul an R&B hits from the 90s and today featuring core artists such as Alicia Keys, Jill Scott, Outkast, Mary J. Blige and Usher. VH1 Soul, the premier source for all R&B and soul music, is now seen in the Top 20 U.S. markets for African-Americans and is available in nearly 20 million U.S. households.

Contact: Brett Henne/VH1 Maura Wozniak/VH1

212/846-6752 212/846-7325

Source: VH1

CONTACT: Brett Henne, +1-212-846-6752, or Maura Wozniak,
+1-212-846-7325, both of VH1

Web site: http://www.vh1soul.com/

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