MTV Networks International will launch the company’s first-ever pan-European HDTV service next year, officials said Tuesday.
Music content available from launch will include series from MTVN such as MTV Unplugged, VH1 Storytellers and CMT’s Crossroads, as well as key music events including theMTV Video Music Awards and the MTV Europe Music Awards.
The English-language service will also feature original and acquired programming to be announced. A kids’ programming block, broadcasting daily each morning, will play host to the Nickelodeon stable of hit shows such asSpongeBob SquarePants, Avatar, Ren & Stimpy and live-action series, including Drake & Josh.
The HD channel will be operated by MTVNI’s Emerging Markets Group, who will produce and broadcast the channel 24 hours a day from MTVNI’s Warsaw hub. It will join MTVNI’s other pan-regional European services, MTV European, VH1 European and VH1 Classic European. Four Polish language channels also operate from Warsaw including MTV Polska, VH1, VIVA and Comedy Central.
Additional information regarding the launch of the HD service, including the name of the channel, will be announced in the coming months.
MTV Networks International’s Emerging Markets group is the fastest growing region in the company’s portfolio of multi-platform businesses. The group manages 18 television networks, 15 Web sites and three mobile TV channels encompassing the MTV, VH1, Nickelodeon, VIVA and Comedy Central brands in Russia, Central and Eastern Europe, Central Asia and the Middle East. Additional announcements will be made about new launches from MTVNI’s Emerging Markets group in the coming weeks.
