MUMBAI: Cable television majors Viacom Inc and Comcast Corp. have signed a five-year landmark distribution contract, agreeing to broadcast Viacom’s CBS affiliates and national cable networks on Comcast’s cable-TV systems.
The pact covers most of Viacom channels like MTV, Nickelodeon, Spike TV, Comedy Central and BET. Additionally, Comcast will augment its digital suite of services by launching Nicktoons and MTV Hits and increasing the distribution of MTV2, Nickelodeon GAS, VH1 Classic and VH1 Country.
The pact also provides for joint development of new video-on-demand (VoD) services featuring popular branded content from CBS News and the MTV Networks family of properties.
The contract, which is effective immediately, includes both extensions of existing carriage deals as well as renewal of expiring affiliate contracts.
Though the financial terms were not disclosed, negotiating an overall deal is expected to increase Viacom’s leverage. According to a Reuters report, cable companies like Comcast have been trying to reduce program costs by holding down the price it pays to carry cable channels while broadcasters are trying to leverage their popular brands to get cable companies to take on new networks.
Comcast became the largest cable television operator in the US after it acquired AT&T Corp and reportedly has 21 million subscribers.
Viacom president and COO Mel Karmazin was quoted in a company release as saying, “This company-wide agreement between two industry leaders is unprecedented and is a major extension and enhancement of the long-standing and successful relationship between our two companies. We are very pleased that we can continue to provide Comcast subscribers with Viacom’s popular array of high-quality branded entertainment, sports, news and event programming.”
“This agreement is terrific for our customers because it contains rights for exciting HDTV and video on demand programming that we’re delivering at no additional charge. Comcast is at the forefront of delivering advanced entertainment services, and this contract provides Viacom’s compelling programming to further their appeal. I’d like to thank Mel and Sumner for Viacom’s leadership and their partnership with Comcast, and I’m pleased to have successfully concluded another major programming agreement this year,” Comcast president and CEO Brian L Roberts was quoted as saying in the release.
Tag: VH1 Country
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Viacom, Comcast ink 5-year TV broadcast pact
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MTV spreads digital tentacles in the US,
MTV Networks is expanding its suite of channels available for digital distribution in America. Four new 24-hour channels for kids and music fans, including MTV Hits, MTV Jams, Nicktoons TV and VH1 Mega Hits will go on air shortly.
The aim, says MTV, is to expand and strengthen MTV Networks’ digital offerings to 13 services. Cablevision is the first operator to sign on for services from the new package, says an official release, and will soon add MTV Hits and Nicktoons TV to their iO: Interactive Optimum digital service line-up.
MTV Networks chairman Tom Freston says: “Each of these channels was created in response to our audience’s tastes and demands. We believe these new channels will help our affiliates as they continue to expand their digital business and help them grow their cable modem business.”
MTVN’s core digital services include VH1 Classic featuring the greatest music from the 60s, 70s and 80s with nearly 12 million subscribers. Noggin, the innovative, commercial free educational network from Nickelodeon and Sesame Workshop claims availability in over 22 million homes; and Nickelodeon Games and Sports (GAS) claims a subscriber base of 10 million. Nick Too, VH1 Country, VH1 Soul, VH Uno, and MTV Espanol complete MTVN’s digital offerings. MTV2, with 40 million subscribers claims to have both analog and digital carriage.
MTV Hits will focus on the younger end of MTV’s demographic, serving the 12-24 market with the music and artists they love. MTV Jams will feature the best Rap, R&B, Hip-Hop, and Soul music and artists. MTV Jams will replace MTV X across all digital cable services. Nicktoons TV, the first ever 24 hour channel built on Nickelodeon animation, will feature classic Nick originals like Doug and Ren & Stimpy to their cutting edge counterparts like Jimmy Neutron. Nicktoons TV will replace Nick Too in some areas on the American west coast.