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Tag: VH1

  • Vh1 set to debut six new musical series next year

    Vh1 set to debut six new musical series next year

    MUMBAI: Viacom-owned US channel Vh1 is set to launch 
    six series in the first quarter of 2007. The new line-up includes, Irv Gotti Project, Man Band, ego trip’s White Rapper Show, Whitestarr Project, Rags To Riches, Bridging The Gap. 

    The above six series is part of the music-branded block VH1’s Wild Life.

    “The breadth of this slate of music-based series illustrates, once again, that VH1 is the only place for adults to go to see the kinds of music and storytelling that speaks only to them,” said MTV Networks music group president entertainment Brian Graden. “This slate features all kinds of characters — Irv Gotti, Cisco Adler, Jeff Timmons, Queen Latifah — we love that they all have a place at Vh1.”

    “Just as we gave Hulk and his family a home with Celebreality, we wanted to create a new branded block for all the crazy rockers and rappers that we love so well,” added MTV Networks music group executive vice president and general manager Tom Calderone.

    Irv Gotti Project is a show based on Irv Gotti. After being investigated for three years by the federal government on charges of money laundering and acquitted, Gotti is now attempting a comeback with his label The Inc while also juggling his responsibilities as a husband and father.

    Man Band is a reality based show where five boy band legends including Bryan Abrams (Color Me Badd), Rich Cronin (LFO), Chris Kirkpatrick (‘N Sync) and Jeff Timmons (98 Degrees) will come together to create new music and perform as a new pop group.

    Ego trip’s White Rapper Show is a search for the next great white rapper. Whitestarr Project showcases the hourney of the rocker Cisco Adler and his band Whitestarr, while, Rags to Riches provides aspects of a musician or actor through their childhood and the various challenges of growing up, and Bridging the Gap documents two established artists to record a track together. Eve and Queen Latifah are featured in the first episode of the series.

  • Jim Perry promoted to Nickelodeon, MTVN Kids & Family Group EVP

    Jim Perry promoted to Nickelodeon, MTVN Kids & Family Group EVP

    MUMBAI: Jim Perry has been named executive vice president, 360 Brand Sales, Nickelodeon and MTVN Kids and Family Group. This announcement was made by Nickelodeon and MTVN Kids and Family Group president Cyma Zarghami and MTV Networks U.S. ad sales president Hank Close.

    In this role, Perry will oversee ad sales for multiple brands across a wide variety of platforms, including Nickelodeon, Noggin, The N, Nicktoons Network, Nick Online, Neopets, the Nickelodeon Magazine Group, and emerging media. Based in New York, Perry will report to Zarghami and Close, informs an official release.

    “In his 15 years at Nickelodeon and MTV Networks, Jim has done an amazing job not only generating new partnerships with clients, but also cultivating a unique relationship between Marketing, Programming and other departments at Nickelodeon Networks to provide our partners with the best 360 degree opportunities to reach kids and families,” Zarghami said.

    “Jim has shown the strategic vision to grow the Nickelodeon services in the kids’ market, and has also unlocked the Nickelodeon value proposition for adult advertisers,” said Close.

    A 15-year veteran at MTV Networks, Perry joined in 1991 as a sales planner in the advertising sales department. In this capacity, he was exposed to all of MTV Networks cable properties — MTV, VH1 and Nickelodeon. In 1992, he was promoted to account executive at Nickelodeon. In 1999, he was promoted to vice president of Nick New Business and in 2002; he was promoted to Senior Vice President, of Nickelodeon Advertising Sales.

  • Viacom’s 2Q revenue up 24 per cent

    Viacom’s 2Q revenue up 24 per cent

    MUMBAI: US media conglomerate Viacom has reported financial results for the second quarter and six months ended 30 June 2006. For the quarter, revenues and operating income increased to $2.85 billion and $663.2 million, respectively.

    Viacom executive chairman Sumner M. Redstone says, “Viacom’s solid second quarter results prove that the enduring strengths of our content and our segment leading brands continue to resonate with consumers and advertisers. We have a great foundation from which to take full advantage of the growth opportunities we see ahead by not only expanding on our traditional businesses, but also by profitably integrating new platforms with significant future growth potential.

    “Equally important, Tom Freston and the Viacom management team have an unmatched track record of repeatedly and successfully leveraging emerging technologies, which gives us great confidence that we can continue to outperform the competition in this rapidly changing environment.”

    The acquisition of DreamWorks and the commencement of distribution activities for DreamWorks Animation and DreamWorks live-action library filmscontributed $345.1 million or 63% of the reported growth versus last year. The cable networks segment revenues increased 8% to $1.75 billion, with domestic ad revenues was up 10 per cent to $969.1 million, and affiliate fees up 11% to $501.8 million. Entertainment revenues were up a reported $418.4 million in the quarter principally attributable to DreamWorks.

    The company reaffirms its full year guidance to deliver double digit revenue and operating income growth compared to 2005 revenues of $9.61 billion

    In the cable network segment, affiliate revenue growth was driven by rate and subscriber increases as well as new channel launches in international markets. Ancillary revenues were relatively flat as increases attributable to syndication were substantially offset by decreases of Comedy Central home video sales, which benefited in 2005 from the release of The Chappelle Show.

    Domestic revenues increased by nine per cent in the quarter with advertising revenues up 10 per cent (compared to a six per cent increase in the first quarter of 2006). International revenues were up four per cent in the quarter including $5.8 million in incremental revenues related to a UK acquisition. International advertising revenues declined 2% (compared to a 13% decline in the first quarter of 2006) or $2.1 million, driven principally by continued softness in Germany and the UK.

    Affiliate revenues were up 13% internationally driven by the UK acquisition and new channel launches. International ancillary revenues increased. The increase in operating expenses in the cable networks segment reflects an aggregate eight per cent increase in programming and production costs on shows such as The Colbert Report, The Daily Show at Comedy Central, and VH1 Rock Honours. This was partially offset by the non-renewal of the WWE package at Spike TV, The Chappelle Show, and the one time special VH1’s Save the Music.

    Television license fees increased $207.3 million including increases in DreamWorks related distribution revenues of $108.9 million. In addition total international revenues were higher due to the number and mix of available titles which included SpongeBob SquarePants, Without a Paddle and The Manchurian Candidate.

    Movie revenues increased $168.7 million in the second quarter principally as a result of revenues related to the distribution of DreamWorks Animation’s Over the Hedge. In addition, international theatrical revenues benefitted from the release of Mission: Impossible III and Failure to Launch in comparison to War of the Worlds and Sahara in theaters during 2005.

    The increase in ancillary revenues of $32.9 million was principally driven by studio rental income as well as increased music royalties earned by Famous Music. On a geographic basis, domestic revenues increased $190.5 million or 39 per cent substantially all of which is attributable to DreamWorks, offset by lower theatrical and home entertainment revenue for Paramount titles.

    International revenues increased $227.9 million, or 106 per cent driven principally by theatrical and television revenues. Higher international theatrical revenues, principally driven by Mission: Impossible III and Failure to Launch contributed an incremental $110.2 million of revenue as compared to titles in release in 2005 which included War of the Worlds and Sahara.

    International television revenues, which increased $121.5 million, benefited from additional mix of such titles as Manchurian Candidate and SpongeBob SquarePants as well as titles distributed for DreamWorks such as Shark Tale and Meet the Fockers. Home entertainment revenues declined by sevent per cent, or $8.4 million internationally due to weaker international performance of recently released titles as compared against SpongeBob SquarePants and Team America in the prior year.

  • Vh1 lines-up special shows for July

    Vh1 lines-up special shows for July

    MUMBAI: Vh1, the international music and lifestyle channel has line-up with the celebreality show Hogan Knows Best and Cribs as well as two Vh1 specials Live8: What A Difference A Day Made and Rock Honors for July.

    Starting 2 July, Vh1 will premiere Live8: What A Difference A Day Made at 10 pm. It will highlight the performances including U2, Coldplay, Black Eyed Peas, Green Day, Madonna, Youssou N’Dour and Dido, Robbie Williams, Pink Floyd, R.E.M. and Paul McCartney who rallied the crowds and viewers to fight against poverty in Africa and to lobby the G8 leaders to makes promises on debt relief, AIDS drugs, trade tariffs and education. The show will repeat on 15 July at 10 pm, the day the G8 summit begins in Russia. 

    Hogan Knows Best, the celebreality show on Hulk Hogan and his family premieres on 18 July at 9 pm. The show exposes the inside story on Hulk Hogan who is not only the world’s most famous wrestler but also a very traditional suburban dad with a teenage daughter who wants to be a pop star and a teenage son Nick who wants to be a race car driver.

    Cribs will premier on 26 July. The show will showcase an exclusive and in-depth access into the comfy dwellings of the favourite celebrities. 

    The lifestyle channel will also showcase Vh1 Rock Honors, hosted by Jamie Pressly, celebrating the great music and influence of KISS, Queen, Def Leppard and Judas Priest in Las Vegas with performances Foo Fighters, Godsmack, All American Rejects and the awesome KISS Tribute All Star Band (including Rob Zombie, Tommy Lee and Slash) on 21 July at 10 pm.

  • Ann Sarnoff named Dow Jones Ventures president

    Ann Sarnoff named Dow Jones Ventures president

    MUMBAI: Dow Jones & Company has named Ann Sarnoff president of Dow Jones Ventures, a new position charged with expanding the reach of Dow Jones brands to new markets and customers.

    An executive with media, consumer-marketing and professional-sports experience, Sarnoff will lead development of new digital businesses in adjacent consumer markets at Dow Jones, states an official release.

    Sarnoff, 44, comes to Dow Jones with a background in consumer media and young-adult marketing. She held senior strategy, finance and development roles at Viacom and was a key player in the growth of the Nickelodeon, VH1 and Country Music Television brands and businesses. Sarnoff also ran the business operations of the Women’s National Basketball Association, the release adds.

    “We want to create compelling new products and businesses to make the very most of our indispensable brands, content, products and people for the benefit of existing and new customers. With her experience and success building and expanding brands and businesses, Ann is ideally suited to help us innovate and take the Journal and other Dow Jones franchises to new audiences and new arenas,” says Dow Jones chief executive Rich Zannino.

    Sarnoff spent 10 years at Viacom, rising in 2001 to become COO for both VH1 and CMT:Country Music Television where she was responsible for the strategic planning and business development of both channels, and oversight of their brand extensions and digital strategy. Previously, she was responsible for consumer products and business development at Nickelodeon.

    More recently, Sarnoff was the COO of the WNBA, where she oversaw all the league’s business operations, including programming, marketing, licensing and merchandising. She worked earlier in her career at the strategic consulting firm, Marakon Associates.

  • David Gale is MTV US executive VP, new media, specialty film content

    David Gale is MTV US executive VP, new media, specialty film content

    MUMBAI: David Gale has been named to the newly created position of MTV US executive VP, new media and specialty film content.

    In this new role, Gale will find, develop, acquire and produce long-form narrative content and branded films for all platforms including online, wireless, theatrical, DVD and VOD.

    As the technology, delivery platforms and audience experiences for films continue to expand Gale will help lead MTV’s efforts in finding new, cutting-edge talent to bring a diverse slate of content to audiences, from branded films and long-form narrative productions, to documentaries and more.

    In addition to continuing to work with MTV, he will bring projects to all global MTVN brands, including Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, VH1, Logo and CMT, coordinating his efforts with their production teams. In this new position, Gale will will also continue to run the day-to-day operations of MTV Films until his successor is named.

    Gale’s new role helps fulfill a key component of MTV’s global digital strategy — to combine its mission to discover, produce and showcase unique new talent and entertainment, with its continued goal of launching audience-engaging platforms such as MTV’s Overdrive, Comedy Central’s Mother Load, VH1’s VSpot, Nickelodeon’s Turbo Nick, countless 3G wireless channels and MTV Networks’ recently launched digital music service URGE.

    MTV chairman Judy McGrath says, “Our amplified efforts in creating visually rich experiences on television, as well as on computers, wireless screens and in theaters, allow us to personalize each entertainment experience our audience engages in. With David‘s new role, we’re looking to launch a new paradigm in finding, producing and distributing long-form digital content across the globe.”

    In addition to coordinating with each of the MTV Networks’ International Brand and Group Leaders (MTVN Entertainment president Doug Herzog, MTVN International president Bill Roedy and Nickelodeon & MTVN Kids & Family Group president Cyma Zarghami) for new content under the specific brands, Gale will also work closely with key executives for digital platforms on the release of film and other original long-form projects.

    Gale will also continue to work with the Paramount specialty film divisions, Vantage and Classics, to seek out the type of unique and original feature films that have made the MTV brands so distinctive in the entertainment industry.

  • The 2006 New York TV Festival announces MSN as the official online sponsor

    The 2006 New York TV Festival announces MSN as the official online sponsor

    MUMBAI: The New York Television Festival (NYTVF) has announced that MSN will provide online support and awareness as an official signature sponsor for the 2006 NYTVF scheduled to be held from 12-17 September 2006, in Manhattan.

    Currently in its second year, the festival provides an opportunity to artists to showcase original, independently produced TV pilots directly to network executives and industry officials.

    Commenting on the same, NYTVF founder and executive director Terence Gray said, “The goal of the NYTVF is to provide independent artists with a platform for getting their work seen by the decision-makers in the TV industry.”

    According to an official release, the Festival’s alliance with MSN is one component of a larger initiative the NYTVF is launching to unite independent artists from TV, music and film in the NYTVF Online Community. NYTVF will collaborate with MSN integrated services, MSN TV and MSN Spaces to create a resource to pilot-makers looking to interact or collaborate with other creative people locally and globally, where anyone with an original script can receive the guidance and support necessary to get an independent pilot off the ground.

    As the official online sponsor, MSN will provide the following services:

    MSN Video will have exclusive online rights to stream all NYTVF pilots submitted to the Festival’s Independent Pilot Competition at http://tv.msn.com/NYTVF, beginning in July.

    MSN Video will deliver an Internet webcast of the Festival and on-demand video content of panel discussions and special events featured at the 2006 Festival.

    MSN Spaces will be the official blogging platform for NYTVF participants for the organization’s Online Community.

    In an attempt to present independent pilots to a worldwide audience, MSN GM Entertainment and Video Services Rob Bennett said, “Through the MSN relationship with NYTVF, consumers have the unique opportunity to see new television concepts and pilots in their purest form.”

    The release states that officially selected pilots featured at the 2006 NYTVF will be placed in one of the following five categories: comedy, drama, reality, educational or animation. To be considered for competition, pilots in all categories except animation must have a running time of between 15 and 22 minutes. Animation pilots must have a running time of between two and 20 minutes.

    The date of submission for the 2006 Independent Pilot Competition is 7 July. There is no fee for students with a valid ID.

    In its inaugural year, the 2005 NYTVF received more than 230 original independent pilots produced by artists from 24 states and seven foreign countries. The 2005 NYTVF was presented in association with TV Guide. The Festival worked in partnership with the William Morris Agency and in conjunction with the mayor’s office of New York City. Official network sponsors included NBC Universal, FOX, Comedy Central, VH1, VH1 Classic, Spike TV, A&E Networks, Rainbow Media, TV Land and Court TV, adds the release.

  • VH1 premieres ‘SuperGroup’ on 21 May

    VH1 premieres ‘SuperGroup’ on 21 May

    MUMBAI: US TV network VH1 has assembled some of the greatest rock icons to star in a new reality show, SuperGroup which is scheduled to premiere on 21 May at 10 00 pm.

    The show has been titled “the ultimate rock and roll experiment” and the band has been challenged to become the “heaviest supergroup in history.”

    It brings together five heavy metal veterans Ted Nugent, Scott Ian, Sebastian Bach, Evan Seinfeld and Jason Bonham. Over a span of two weeks the rockers will live together in Las Vegas, Nevada and film seven episodes for the show.

    The musicians will be groomed by rock manager Doc McGhee. Their efforts will finally culminate in a concert at The Empire Ballroom in Vegas.

    Vh1 executive Michael Hirschorn is quoted saying, “What I liked about SuperGroup was that is combined elements that have worked so well for us, with an organic music idea.”

    In the late 1960’s the term ‘supergroup’ was coined to describe music groups comprising of members who had already achieved fame or respect in other groups or as individual artists. The new band members have not committed to staying together beyond the filming of the show, but plans to record a single are being discussed.

    SuperGroup is produced by 3Ball Productions and Moving Pictures, DPI in conjunction with VH1.

  • MTV, Microsoft launch digital music service Urge

    MTV, Microsoft launch digital music service Urge

    MUMBAI: Media conglomerate Viacom’s unit MTV Networks, which brought in the music video fad, is foraying into new digital music service and will be competing with the music store of Apple Computer Inc’s iTunes, which has a strong dominance in the online music market.

    The broadcaster has teamed up with Microsoft to launch the beta of a new online music service, called Urge, that will be integrated in Windows Media Player 11, which is set to make its debut on 17 May.

    Offering more than two million songs from the major labels and thousands of independents, Urge will encompass all musical genres from alt-country to zydeco. In addition to a broad catalogue of music choices, Urge will deliver a deep well of exclusive MTV Networks programming and original, hand-crafted content.

    Urge, the subscription and download music service, though not first in the market, can be purchased for 99 cents each or as full albums starting at $9.95. The service will also offer a two-week trial without requiring any commitment or credit card number, according to media reports.

    The service also will offer unlimited downloads at a monthly rate of $9.95 or $14.95 for the ability to transfer songs to any or more than 100 compatible portable music players.

    It has celebrity playlists, streaming radio stations, artist profiles and an increasing number of blogs. One can download billboard charts by genre and year, watch music videos, and explore music by genre.

    MTV Networks’ music group president Van Toffler said, “Urge will serve as a ‘psychic concierge,’ introducing fans to new artists and helping them to develop a deeper connection to old favorites.”

    “By combining our expertise in digital media with the music leadership and marketing savvy of MTV Networks, we have created a powerful and unique way to experience music. This landmark collaboration will bring innovative new experiences to millions of music fans,” said Microsoft media/entertainment and technology convergence group corporate vice president Blair Westlake.

    “As with everything we do at MTV Networks, every element of Urge will be developed with our audience in mind. Beyond providing a simple transactional service, Urge will provide a musical playground where fans can experiment, customise, discover and download new music,” said MTV Networks chief digital officer Jason Hirschhorn.

    Urge will be promoted through multiple venues, including the MTV, Vh1 and CMT channels, which on average collectively reach more than 165 million US viewers, as well as through the respective brands’ web sites and Urge.com.