VH1 Classic Expands Programming Clock With Exclusive Music Performances and Films From The 70s, 80s and Early 90s

VH1 Classic Expands Programming Clock With Exclusive Music Performances and Films From The 70s, 80s and Early 90s

Network Acquires BBC Programming Never Before Seen in U.S. Including Legendary 'The Old Grey Whistle Test' Performance Series Beginning September 2006

NEW YORK, April 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Beginning Monday, May 1, VH1 Classic will double its program offerings for classic music fans who "just can't get enough." The channel devoted to the rock, pop and soul artists of the 60s, 70s, 80s and early 90s will expand its programming clock from a 12-hour wheel to a full 24-hour cycle.

To deliver more of the concerts, videos and music specials that the channel's 40 million viewers seek, VH1 Classic is building up its programming slate through an exclusive deal with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) to acquire programming from their immense library of concert series and specials. In addition, VH1 Classic will air new franchises including "Rock and Roll Picture Show," "Class Of ...," "Classic Albums" and "Classic Artists."

"VH1 Classic's audience and its appetite for classic music continues to grow, leading us to effectively double our music program offerings each day," said Eric Sherman, Senior Vice President, General Manager, VH1 Classic. "We're particularly pleased to deliver rare BBC gems such as 'The Old Grey Whistle Test' which presents performances never seen before on this side of the Atlantic."

Beginning in September 2006 VH1 Classic will premiere select episodes of the legendary anthology series "The Old Grey Whistle Test" in addition to performances from some of the biggest classic artists of the 1970s and 1980s including Tom Petty, The Police and Lynyrd Skynyrd. All will premiere under VH1 Classic's original series umbrella "Classic in Concert."

VH1 Classic's new weekly movie franchise, "Rock and Roll Picture Show" will debut on Saturday, May 6 at 5:00 PM with "Hysteria: The Def Leppard Story." Other movies include "The Wall," "The Song Remains The Same," "Woodstock," "Jimi Hendrix," "Madonna: Truth Or Dare" and "Imagine: John Lennon."

Beginning in June, VH1 Classic's "Class Of ... " stunt will move to a monthly program premiering with "Class Of 1984." Each monthly episode will highlight a specific year of classic artists who all have "graduated" into our memories that year.

"Classic Albums" is a 27-episode series with each hour telling the story behind the making of one of rock music's most seminal albums. The series will debut on VH1 Classic this fall and will feature titles including "Fleetwood Mac: Rumours," "The Who: Who's Next" and "U2: The Joshua Tree."

In addition VH1 Classic licensed "Classic Artists," a series of documentaries tracking the twists and turns in a single artist or band's career. The first episode set to premiere in the Fall 2006 will feature Cream, documenting their journey from the formation of one of rock's first "super groups" to its incredibly prolific yet brief career, and leading to the band's triumphant reunion concerts last year in London and New York.

To learn more about these series and other VH1 Classic series and specials please visit http://www.vh1classic.com/.

Launched in May 2000, VH1 Classic is a 24-hour network that presents videos, concerts and music specials all day long, featuring the best of rock, soul and pop artists from the 60's, 70's and 80's, including The Beatles, The Stones, Tina Turner, Led Zeppelin, Marvin Gaye, The Who, Stevie Wonder, The Police and many more. Learn more at www.vh1classic.com

Press Contact:
Maura Wozniak/VH1
212-846-7325

Source: VH1

CONTACT: Maura Wozniak of VH1, +1-212-846-7325

Web site: http://www.vh1.com/
http://www.vh1classic.com/

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