MTVN to Launch 3G Video Services on Verizon Wireless Including Music Video
Programming and Original Content
MTV's Made Hear: Original Ringtones, VH1's Mobile Content Storefront and
Comedy Central's Joke of the Day Service to Offer Users Unique New Choices in
Wireless Entertainment
LAS VEGAS and NEW YORK, Jan. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- CES -- MTV Networks today
announced a series of new wireless initiatives as part of their extended plans
to provide music entertainment and unique multi-platform content for consumers
from the brands they love. As part of this effort, MTVN will be launching 3G
video programming services with Verizon Wireless in conjunction with the
February launch of Verizon Wireless' broadband EV-DO service. With content
from VH1 and CMT, this marks the first 3G wireless music entertainment
programming available for users in the United States.
In addition, a number of the MTV Networks including Nickelodeon, Comedy
Central, VH1, and CMT will create made-for-mobile programming on Verizon's new
wireless video service. For the first time ever, fans will now have access to
bite-sized programming from some of their favorite television shows via their
mobile phones including VH1's "Best Week Ever," Comedy Central's "The Daily
Show," and Nickelodeon's "Dora the Explorer".
"Consumers are increasingly incorporating wireless content into their
daily lives and MTV Networks will extend our reputation for creating
compelling programming into the wireless world in even bolder new ways,"
commented MTV Networks CEO, Judy McGrath. "This passionate, mobile generation
is thirsty for content created just for them and accessible on all platforms
and with these new initiatives, we will be providing them with branded
wireless entertainment they cannot find anywhere else."
MTV's Made Hear: Original Ringtones:
Taking the music ringtone experience one step further, MTV is also
launching "Made Hear," an original ringtone franchise offering users exclusive
ringtones developed specifically for mobile by some of the industry's hottest
producers and artists, as well as MTV. The new franchise will kick off with an
original album of ringtones created by Timbaland, one of the top hip-hop
producers in music, to be released early next month. Partnering with Zingy
Inc., the leading mobile media company, MTV will be the first to offer
Timbaland's exclusive mobile content throughout the United States.
Furthermore, MTV will launch "Made Hear" on a global basis through multiple
mobile services around the world including: the UK, Spain, Holland, Italy,
France, Germany, Japan and Latin America, making it the first, simultaneous
global original ringtone premiere of its kind. "Made Hear" will also be
promoted through the various MTV screens on-air, online and via *MTV on Virgin
mobile phones in the U.S.
"This is not only great news for consumers but for artists as well since
they'll be able to extend their creativity and reach their fans on these new
platforms," said Van Toffler, MTV Networks Group President. "With MTV's Made
Hear and VH1 Ringtones store, we're leveraging the power of MTV and VH1's
programming and promotional platforms to not only develop the rapidly growing
ringtones services but to also help build music sales in this exploding
market."
VH1's Mobile Content Storefront:
VH1 is also launching a ground-breaking direct-to-consumer mobile content
storefront, offering users thousands of the most popular ringtones and a
collection of original, exclusive pop culture wall-paper images. Beginning
today, consumers will be able to purchase ringtones and images online at
ringtones.vh1.com or directly from their handsets. To promote this effort, VH1
is launching an on-air and online campaign featuring Flavor Flav, hip-hop
legend and co-star of the new VH1 series "Strange Love." Flavor Flav has also
recorded a series of exclusive ringtones available only through VH1's ringtone
store.
Connecting to and enhanced by a number of other marquee VH1 programming,
the mobile store will also feature content such as "Awesomely Bad Ringtones"
and "Ringtones' Most Metal Moments." And for passionate fans of classic
favorites, the storefront will include a "VH1 Classic" boutique, offering
ringtones from hundreds of classic rock, pop and soul artists featured on the
popular VH1 Classic television network.
COMEDY CENTRAL JOKE OF THE DAY SERVICE:
Comedy Central also offers their unique content to users needing a good
laugh with their "Joke of the Day" SMS. This recently launched subscription
service allows users to receive a new joke every weekday, direct from the
brilliantly funny writers at Comedy Central, by simply sending a text message
("joke") to a short code ("22565"). Comedy Central will further expand its
mobile content in the coming months, offering consumers yet another direct
connection to their brand through wireless.
MTV Networks owns and operates the cable television programming services
MTV: Music Television, MTV2, mtvU, Nickelodeon/Nick at Nite, TV Land, VH1,
CMT: Country Music Television, Comedy Central, and Spike TV, as well as The
Digital Suite from MTV Networks, a package of thirteen digital services, all
of which are trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks also operates and
offers joint ventures, licensing agreements and syndication deals whereby its
programming can be seen worldwide.
SOURCE MTV Networks
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Related links:
http://www.mtv.com
http://ringtones.vh1.com
CONTACT:
Eileen Quast of MTV Communications,
+1-212-846-6762, or Jeanine Smartt, +1-212-846-7437, or Ariana
Urbont, +1-310-752-8079, both of MTV Networks, or Brett Henne of
VH1 Communications, +1-212-846-6752
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