As a Key Pillar in Company's Vertical Entertainment Strategy, MTVN to
Commit More than $500 Million to Development of its Global Gaming
Businesses
NEW YORK, Aug. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- MTV Networks (MTVN), a unit of Viacom
(NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), scored high across several of its gaming properties in
June and July, as the company recorded growth, set traffic records, and
showcased new initiatives throughout its diverse portfolio of casual games,
games media, and console-based and handheld games. As these milestones
signal the continued emergence of gaming as a key pillar in MTVN's global
vertical entertainment strategy, the company will invest more than $500
million over the next two years in the development and distribution of its
gaming business across its global portfolio.
"Gaming is a focal point of our vertical entertainment strategy to
superserve our loyal and passionate audiences with engaging experiences,
and the success of all our properties, everything from AddictingGames to
the virtual games on Nicktropolis to the award-winning Rock Band, really
has put us in a leadership position," said Judy McGrath, Chairman and CEO,
MTV Networks. "As we continue to take our brands narrow and deep to serve
our targeted audiences, we are investing over $500 million in the next few
years towards building our games business, worldwide, across all of the
brands."
Added Mika Salmi, President, MTVN Global Digital Media, "Whether
hardcore or casual, online or console-based, we know that games are a
dominant activity across all our audiences, so we're upping our efforts to
connect with more gamers in a more engaging way than ever before and
provide added value to our marketing partners."
MTVN has established an expansive global footprint in gaming, driven by
research showing that the company's audiences - from kids to adults - use
gaming to connect with others and themselves through play and competition.
The company is focused on developing three primary gaming experiences,
including online and mobile casual games that appeal to kids, young adults
and women; games media and editorial content for the hardcore gamers among
its young adult and adult male audiences; and console and handheld games
that serve kids, young adults and men.
Across all its game-related websites, MTVN recorded more than 42
million unique visitors globally in June, up 20% in the first six months of
2007, according to comScore Media Metrix. For the month, 47% of MTVN's
audiences accessed game-related content on one of its online gaming
properties. These sites include Nickarcade.com, Neopets, Shockwave and
AddictingGames, which draw hundreds of millions of gameplays each month, in
addition to casual games sections on CMT.com, COMEDYCENTRAL.com, MTV.com,
Nick.com, VH1.com and other MTVN branded sites. MTVN also boasts a
multi-dimensional games media network, with acquired properties Xfire and
GameTrailers, and content on branded sites including MTV.com and
SpikeTV.com.
MTVN also has a strong foothold in console-based and handheld gaming
with MTV Games, which creates, markets and publishes interactive products
targeting MTV's audience, and Harmonix, a game developer that provides
music fans with a deeper interactive experience through popular music and
rhythm titles.
Highlights of MTVN gaming properties in June and July include:
Casual Gaming
-- As part of MTVN's overall $500 million investment, last month the MTVN
Nickelodeon Kids & Family Group is committing $100 million over the
next two years in the development, distribution and creation of casual
gaming titles, sites and platforms, further establishing MTVN as a
leader in the casual gaming space.
-- The company's Kids & Family Group also has announced an agreement with
Nokia to deliver Shockwave's portfolio of Flash Lite mini-games to
Nokia customers in multiple markets around the globe.
-- AddictingGames attracted a record 9.2 million unique visitors
domestically for the month, and 14.7 million in total globally,
according to comScore.
Games Media
-- GameTrailers brought in a record 1.4 million unique visitors
domestically, and 4.7 million in total globally, according to comScore.
The site was propelled by its comprehensive video coverage of E3, with
more than 1,000 videos posted during E3 week alone, an exclusive
partnership with E3 Insider, as well as an enhanced design and all-new
features.
-- Xfire increased its number of registered users to more than 7.7 million
in July, and the site is up +139% in unique users per month over the
second quarter of 2006, according to comScore.
Console-Based and Handheld Games
-- At E3, MTV Games and Harmonix, in partnership with Electronic Arts,
premiered the highly anticipated "Rock Band", winning three Game
Critics Awards, including "Best of Show," and garnering critical
acclaim from the video game industry's top journalists.
-- Set to hit stores for Xbox 360(TM) video game and entertainment system
from Microsoft(R) and PLAYSTATION(R)3 computer entertainment system
this holiday, "Rock Band" will feature 40 songs, including Metallica's
incomparable metal song "Enter Sandman." "Rock Band" users will also
be able to access hundreds of tracks via digital distribution,
including The Who's classic "Who's Next" in its entirety.
About MTV Networks
MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), is one of the
world's leading creators of programming and content across all media
platforms. MTV Networks, with 137 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/THE N, VH1 CLASSIC, LOGO, MTVN INTERNATIONAL and THE DIGITAL
SUITE FROM MTV NETWORKS, a package of 13 digital services, all of these
networks trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks connects with its
audiences through its robust consumer products businesses and its more than
200 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
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Related links:
http://www.mtv.com
CONTACT:
Lauren Hurvitz, +1-212-846-8036, or David
Bittler, +1-212-846-5263, both of MTV Networks
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