Posted on 03/11/2005 12:23:25 PM PST by My Favorite Headache
MTV/VH1 TO ROCK INDIA!
Cable television network MTV said Monday it would launch three new music and entertainment channels aimed at audiences of Indian, Chinese and Korean origins who live in the United States.
MTV Desi, targeting U.S. audiences with roots in India, will be the first channel to launch, followed by MTV China and MTV Korea in June 2005. Additional channels are expected to follow, MTV said in a statement.
MTV, owned by Viacom, said the new channels would use music programs and other shows from its international channels as well as original shows and promos created in the United States.
The network named Nusrat Durrani as general manager of MTV World to oversee the channels.
The country’s only international music channel to be distributed by zed-Turner and also available on DTH via Dish T.V.
MTV Networks India and zed-Turner, the distribution arm of zed Telefilms and Turner International India, have joined hands to bring VH1, the world’s classiest music, and lifestyle channel, into India. The premium channel - with content that explores, exposes and celebrates the power of international music, celebrity and pop culture - will be distributed by zed-Turner and beam into India in December 2004. The channel would also be available on Dish T.V., the first DTH platform in India.
In India, VH1 will be a 24-hour pay channel that will cater to the 16 - 44 SEC AB demographic; it will play international music and treat viewers to exclusive VH1 shows which give an intimate and inside look at celebrity rock n’ roll lifestyles. VH1 India’s exhaustive range of classic videos will cover international genres from pure Rock to unadulterated Pop and everything in between.
Frank Brown, President, MTV Networks Asia Pacific said: "The launch of VH1 in India represents a new milestone reflecting our rapid growth and development in the country. This launch makes it the third 24-hour VH1 channel in Asia and the 18th channel to join the MTV Networks family in the Asia Pacific region. It also makes India the second country, after Australia, in Asia that carries all three MTV, Nickelodeon and VH1 on a 24-hours platform, providing our clients and viewers with the greatest breadth of advertising and viewing choice for young people from 2 to 44 years old."
Said Mr. Lakshmi Goel, Chairman, zed-Turner Ltd. "We are pleased to have signed up with MTV Networks India for carriage of VH1 on the zed-Turner distribution platform. With the launch of VH1, we are entering a niche segment of the entertainment industry given the channel focus and the opportunity that cable and DTH will open up for niche channels such as VH1."
Added Alex Kuruvilla, Managing Director, MTV Networks India: "With VH1 we are all set to further our lead in the music space. Indian viewers have been clamouring for this treasure trove of international music and content. VH1 has a library, built over 20 years, of awesome shows like "All Access" and "Behind The Music", which viewers can now watch only on VH1. Our tie-up with zed-Turner and Dish TV is a step forward towards making exclusive music and lifestyle content available in India given the wide distribution enjoyed by zed-Turner, further enhanced through access on Dish TV’s DTH platform. VH1 will be the much-needed boost for the music industry’s efforts to promote international music in India. It’s time to rock and roll!"
Siddharth Jain, CEO, zed-Turner Ltd., said: "We are confident that VH1 will be able to establish a niche for itself in this highly competitive market, owing to its unique programming. Our cable affiliates will now have the opportunity to provide their consumers with a channel that will cater to their eclectic tastes by offering the right mix of entertainment."
Indian viewers will get the visual treat of watching back-to-back international music videos of top ranking international artists, from the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s to the latest releases; from different genres ranging from Queen, Pink Floyd to Linkin Park and The Rasmus; Billy Joel to Robbie Williams and Eminem.
The channel will also feature cutting-edge shows that will give viewers a ‘sneak peek’ into the world of international celebrity and pop culture. These will include rare and never-before-seen archive footage and exclusive interviews with artistes and celebrities. (Show descriptors attached)
About VH1
VH1 is the 24-hour music video network that is available in 112 million households in 130 territories across the world. Through music-based series, specials, news and live events, VH1 customizes its music and program mix to appeal to the tastes of local audiences in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Russia, Latin America, and the United States. VH1’s holdings also include 12 locally operated websites, recorded music based on popular show formats and various licensing & merchandising.
About zed-Turner
zed-Turner Ltd. is a joint venture company that manages distribution and trade marketing for zed Telefilms and Turner International bouquet of channels, as well as third party channels such as CNBC and Reality TV, in India and Nepal. Headquartered in New Delhi, zed-Turner boasts of a combined viewership of more than 30 million households with an equal spread throughout the country.
zed-Turner bouquet offers the largest number of channels popular in almost every genre that include the flagship channels zed TV, zed Cinema, zed News, zed English Trendz, CNN International, POGO, Cartoon Network, and the regional Alpha channels, among others. Andy Shaw
"Aaah, for the days of Headbanger's Ball..."
I miss 120 Minutes.
Gonna make 'em as dumb as the rest of us. I guess that's Affirmative Action In Action.
I wonder if MTV will undertake to promote tolerance of 'alternative lifestyles' among our Chinese & Indian neighbors.
MTV has recently been running ads on Spike TV when I watch CSI re-runs. I sat through the commercial once, just because I couldn't figure out what the heck it was for. Now if I see it on, I switch to another channel ASAP.
They seem to be pushing some really stupid shows on that ad.
Yeah, the lack of any venue these days for videos from serious rock/alternative bands (as opposed to boy bands, "Brittney"-type acts, etc) does suck, but presumably MTV knows what sells and what doesn't.
Video killed the video star?
Top 3 new programs aimed at the Asian Market;
1 - Turning your Honda into an imitation performance car. Step by step instructions in installing huge muffler tips and removing suspension components for that all important "look". Special section on installing huge stickers for products you don’t own is optional.
2 - How to drive without actually paying attention. This in depth program will show you how to watch DVD's, text message and have an argument, all at the same time. Traffic law observance is specifically avoided.
3 - Lifestyle Section will focus on listening to loud rap music, dressing like a Ghetto Pimp and using speech like an inner city thug. Sure, you come from a middle class family and got straight A's, not to worry. You too can Underachieve !
Cheers,
knews hound
I think your last statement said it all.
"Better" quality programs will come out when the buyer demands it.
Just what I was thinking.
Can I PLEASE opt out of these channels and get a discount on my bill?
MTV knows that getting into the minds of kids 9-19 is where the cash is at. They know to preach urban culture and pass it on as how America should be exactly the way it is in Brooklyn then it should be that way in Topeka.
It is total brainwashing bullshit and they have the say on everything from what clothes,music,movies,models,cars,and political agenda we should all adopt.
MTV is too powerful. MTV might have once had a vision of being a great network and doing wonderful things for music and exposure. But it has backfired in millions of ways...all due to the $$$$ it scams off of kids they have brainwashed over the last 15 years.
They are reality tv programming now and have been for the last 6 or 7 years. Have a look at their schedule for tonight...:
The 50 Cent House Party
I Want a Famous Face
Making The Band 3
Making The Band 3
Real World: Philadelphia
Real World: Philadelphia
The Ashlee Simpson Show
The Ashlee Simpson Show
Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica
Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica
Punk'd
Punk'd
Making The Band 3
Power Girls
Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica
Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica
Punk'd
Punk'd
Viva La Bam
Viva La Bam
Room Raiders
Room Raiders
MTV Cribs
MTV Cribs
MTV Cribs
MTV Cribs
Wanna Come In?
Room Raiders
Do you see even one 30 min spot for music? No. This takes us into 9 AM tomorrow and not one single minute of music videos being aired.
Dude, SQUARE ONE TV, that show rocked!!!!!
:)
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