Comedic Pundit, Jon Stewart And Multi-Lingual Pre-School Phenomenon, Dora The Explorer, Top MTV Networks´ Deal Slate Going into MIPCOM 2008

MTVNI headed to MIPCOM with expanded catalogue of more than four thousand hours of content and 30 plus Format
offerings across powerhouse brands Nickelodeon, MTV & Comedy Central

MTV Networks International (MTVNI), owned by Viacom Inc (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), is going into MIPCOM having secured multiple new deals and expanded their catalogue to more than four thousand hours of original, multi-platform content across all brands including MTV, Nickelodeon, VH1, Comedy Central, BET, CMT and Spike TV. In addition, MTVNI has ramped up its formats offering with 30 programmes immediately identified as potential format hits such as MTV’s Pimp My Ride and VH1’s Can’t Get a Date.

The brand powerhouse continues to see strong sales across its library with 13 new deals for Nickelodeon’s Asian-inspired hit animation, Avatar, including TV2 in Denmark, 2x2 in Russia and ETB in Spain. Pre-school phenomenon, Dora the Explorer, continues its global roll-out with four first-ever signings with NRK Norway, TV2 Denmark and SABC South Africa. Comedy Central’s US cult news programme, The Daily Show with Jon Stewart: Global Edition, has been picked up for the first time by Gulf Showtime in the Middle East, SBS in Sweden and Macedonia’s A1, in addition to multiple deal renewals such as NRK in Norway and Portugal’s SIC Radical.

Brand new programming launching for international syndication at MIPCOM includes Nickelodeon’s new Mandarin language animated pre-school series, Ni-Hao Kai Lan, and The Mighty B!, created by, and starring, Saturday Night Live’s Amy Poehler. Other new cutting edge reality formats that push the boundaries and take a peak into some very unique lives include MTV’s hysterical male skewed music series Buzzin’, and Gs to Gents, hosted by Fonzworth Bentley and executive produced by Oscar-winning Jamie Foxx. VH1 showcases the life of Luther ‘Luke’ Campbell in Luke’s Parental Advisory, while BET’s docu-drama, Baldwin Hills, and CMT’s absurdly funny, My Big Red Neck Wedding, also launch.

“As MTVNI continues to increase its content output for its growing number of platforms, we’re able to offer our clients an even bigger catalogue of programming,” commented Debbie Back, Senior Vice President, Programme Sales, MTVNI. “This reinforces MTVNI’s position as a one-stop shop for all our partners’ needs across every genre, demographic and platform, and is further evidenced by the new content and format offerings we’re bringing to MIPCOM.”

A long time producer of formats such as The Joe Schmo Show and Blue’s Clues, MTVNI has identified more than 30 potential hits from its vast library which the sales team will be bringing to MIPCOM in a newly expanded catalogue.

Industry veteran Caroline Beaton, owner of consultancy business Road Trip Media, is working with MTVNI to leverage and maximise MTVNI’s formats potential and will be presenting the new catalogue to MTVNI clients at MIPCOM. Programming available with full production bibles in place includes MTV’s Punk’d, Room 401 and My Own, Nickelodeon’s Drake and Josh, Comedy Central’s Crank Yankers and The Joe Schmo Show from Spike TV.

In line with MTVNI’s linear offering, exciting new multiplatform opportunities including digital rights will be available via new service, MTVN Web Catch-Up+. The unique service offers broadcast partners a post-broadcast seven-day window of full episode on-demand streaming and a bundled package of show content such as cast pictures, PC wallpapers and screen savers.