'Los Premios MTV 2009' to Rock Multiple Cities in Latin America and the US

'Los Premios MTV 2009' to Rock Multiple Cities in Latin America and the US

Bogota and Los Angeles Are the First Cities Selected to Host 8th Annual Event

"Los Premios MTV 2009" will air live on Thursday, October 15th on MTV Latin America and on MTV Tr3s in the US

MIAMI, June 23 /PRNewswire/ -- MTV Latin America, a subsidiary of Viacom International Inc. (NYSE:VIA)(NYSE:and)(NYSE:VIA.B), announced today that it will rock multiple cities in Latin America and the US with a revamped version of its annual international award show, Los Premios MTV Latin America 2009. Bogota and Los Angeles are the first confirmed cities to host the 8th annual event with other host cities to be announced. The multi-city event will come together live on MTV Latin America and MTV Tr3s in the US on Thursday, October 15th. In addition, the show will air on MTVs around the world and on select broadcast stations throughout Latin America, details to be announced.

"We are thrilled to have Bogota and Los Angeles on board as the first host cities for Los Premios MTV 2009," commented Sofia Ioannou, Managing Director for MTV Networks Latin America. "Since the show's debut in 2002, we have always strived to be closer to our audience and this year's multi-city format will allow us to expand our reach on the ground unlike any other event in the region. We are certain that this year's show will bring together not only the best regional and international talent, but will provide an innovative and creative platform that will highlight and embrace the diversity of Latin America."

"Executing a new format for this year's show is an exciting challenge and opportunity for us," commented Jose Tillan, Executive Producer of Los Premios MTV. "The multi-city approach is a wonderful way to bring together the best established and emerging talent from across the continent. We are certain that this year's show will rock screens AND cities throughout Latin America and the US."

"The designation of Bogota as one of the host cities for Los Premios MTV 2009 is a well-deserved recognition of our city's as well as our country's status as a cultural epicenter for Latin America," commented Samuel Moreno, Mayor of the City of Bogota. "Being one of the official sites for Los Premios MTV 2009 is a great platform for our artists and speaks to the development of our cultural industries. This recognition is in addition to other important distinctions the city has achieved, such as: Bogota as World Capitol of Books 2007, Bogota Ibero-American Cultural Capitol 2007, and the Gold Lion Award at the Venice Biannual Architectural Awards in 2006; as well as a solid series of effective initiatives that make the Bogota of today a necessary reference point for the continent and attract foreign investment to our country and city."

"It is gratifying for us to know that part of these internationally prestigious awards will be celebrated in our country," commented Maria Claudia Lacouture, General Manager of Colombia is Passion. "We are confident that each of our citizens will welcome its visitors with open arms and that Colombia's rhythms and artists will vibrate every corner of Latin America. We hope that the heart of each Colombian is recorded throughout the continent."

In addition to this year's multi-city celebration, viewers across the region will also have the opportunity to interact with the show via multiple online, broadband and mobile options, details to be announced.

Nominees for Los Premios MTV are selected by a "Music and Video Academy" comprised of music industry professionals and fans. Winners for most of the categories are chosen by viewers' votes through MTV Latin America's website www.MTVla.com. Last year alone, over 12.5 million viewers logged on to vote for their favorite artists across all categories, breaking the previous year's record by more than 1 million users.

Los Premios MTV reflects the music and attitude of youth in Latin America today. The show brings together a variety of artists from different genres from Latin America and other parts of the world -- making it a truly unique multiplatform music experience.

MTV has a long history of creating exciting music events with 19 locally produced award shows annually around the world in countries such as Australia, Germany, India, Japan and Russia, among others.

MTV Networks Latin America, Inc., a unit of Viacom Inc. (NYSE:VIA)(NYSE: VIA.B), owns and operates MTV Latin America, Nickelodeon Latin America, Nick Jr. Latin America, VH1 Latin America, VH1 Classic and Viacom Networks Brazil (which operates Nickelodeon and VH1 Brazil), and MTV Networks Digital Suite, a package of four digital services -- MTV Jams, MTV Hits, VH1 Classic and VH1 Soul. MTV Networks Latin America also carries the pan-territorial high definition channel, MTV Networks High Definition (MTVNHD). Customized versions of the brands in Spanish and Portuguese can be seen throughout Latin America in more than 20 countries. MTV Networks Latin America also connects with its audience via its websites: www.MTVla.com, www.MTVRevolution.com, www.LaZona.com, www.Mundonick.com, www.Mundonick.com/NIckTurbo, www.Neopets.com, www.VH1la.com, www.VH1Brasil.com.br and www.Vspot.br.

MTV Tr3s is the most-widely distributed TV network dedicated to super serving today's bicultural Latino youth. MTV Tr3s' programming is rooted in the fusion of American and Latino music, cultures, lifestyles and languages. Music programming is at the core of MTV Tr3s and the channel features hit makers, emerging artists and new sounds that resonate with young US Latinos. In addition to music programming, MTV Tr3s' programming slate also features lifestyle series, news, documentaries and other long-form programs that celebrate US Latino hybrid identity and culture.

Source: MTV Latin America

CONTACT: in Miami, Linda Alexander, +1-305-535-7259,
linda.alexander@mtvstaff.com or Marimar Rive, +1-305-938-4910,
marimar.rive@mtvstaff.com; in Mexico, Erick Zermeno, +52-55-5080-1729,
erick.zermeno@mtvstaff.com or Guillermo Reyna, +52-55-5080-1729,
guillermo.reyna@mtvstaff.com; in Colombia, Marimar Rive, +1-305-938-4910,
marimar.rive@mtvstaff.com; in Argentina, Axel Escudero, +54-11-5295-5270,
axel.escudero@mtvstaff.com or Vanina Rodriguez, +54-11-5295-5272,
vanina.rodriguez@mtvstaff.com; in Chile, Claudia Castagnola, 569-97332839,
ccastagnola@123.cl

Web Site: http://www.mtvla.com/

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