MTV Russia

Change in ownership

In 1998, Viacom International Media Networks Europe (VIMN Europe) signed a long term agreement with Biz Enterprises to launch a 24-hour music channel in the Russian Federation. MTV became the first US television brand to localize in the Russian state. In 2007, VIMN Europe signed a new agreement with Prof Media to operate and broadcast the channel along with VH1 Russia. Under Prof Media's ownership the channel moved from music orientated programming to youth-orientated programming. This move proved to be very unsuccessful for its new owners as research conducted by VIMN showed Russian viewers prefer music programming over reality based programming.

Prof Media announced in December 2012 that they would no longer operate MTV Russia from June 1, 2013 and would replace the channel with a new general entertainment channel called FRIDAY. On May 30, 2013 Viacom International Media Networks new division VIMA Russia announced it would relaunch MTV in Russia on October 1, 2013 which would be wholly operated by VIMN Russia in London. The relaunch will see many of its international programmes with Russian subtitles. As part of the relaunch MTV will launch 'The Face of MTV Russia' a contest to find a presenter for the channel to host MTV News.

A HD version of MTV Russia also launched on October 1, 2013. Viacom International Media Networks Russia is operated from the London offices of VIMN which now operates MTV Russia, Nickelodeon Russia and Comedy Central Russia.

History

Through a multi-year licensing agreement with BIZ Enterprises, MTV Russia became the first western television network customized specifically for Russian youth in 1998. In January 2000, MTV Networks International acquired an equity position in MTV Russia. As of 2007, the channel could be viewed in 724 towns all over the former USSR.

Targeting 14- to 34-year-olds, the advertiser-supported network features a mixture of music videos from Russian and international artists programmed locally from its Moscow production base. MTV Russia VJs cover the Russian music scene and introduce locally relevant programming. Its main domestic rival is Muz-TV, a music channel based in Moscow.

Since 2005, in the face of rising competition from TNT and STS, MTV Russia has moved away from music videos and towards talk shows, the coverage of Moscow nightlife, and producing its own TV series.

On December 1, 2005 VH1 Russia channel was launched by Viacom

On June 4, 2007 Pro-Media acquired 100 per cent of Viacom International Media Networks channel portfolio in Russia. This includes the brands; MTV Russia and VH1 Russia. MTV Russia continues to broadcast to 35 million homes across the Russian Federation.

Since April 10, 2010, MTV Russia has adopted the same onscreen logo as MTV US. The channel continues to share the same onscreen identity as MTV International which launched July 1, 2009

On June 1, 2010 VH1 Russia channel was closed

In February 2012, MTV Russia was accused of censorship after it axed a 'controversial' political chat show.

On 1 June 2013 MTV Russia will relaunch on 1 October 2013 as the channel will be operated by VIMN Russia instead of Prof Media.

In September 2013, VIMN launched Pick Me MTV: which is a competition to find the face and voice of MTV Russia. To promote the competition a website was launched at mtvpickme.ru.

On October 1, 2013 MTV Russia relaunched with a new look on-air branding. The channel is also available in HD and is served by MTV's existing programming either dubbed or subtitled in Russia. The channel has one presenter.

Current programming

MTV News in Russia - #MTVSelfieNews

Awkward

MTV Europe Music Awards

World Stage Live

MTV Video Music Awards

MTV Top 20 (a flagship music video countdown show hosted by MTV Russia's resident VJ)

Geordie Shore (US, the UK, Poland versions)

Daria

Class hour (Russia)

Hot Right Now! (music block)

Rus Chart

18+ Chart - Chart airs adult clips only in the night

The Catfish

MTV Dance Chart

Ex on the Beach

Previous programming

MTV Russian Top 10

MTV News Block

MTV News Block Weekly

Holidays in Mexico (reality-show) (1, 2 season)

Project Runway Russia

Too beautiful

Parental Control (Russia)

Room Raiders (Russia)

Trendy

Scrubs

Music

Morning Fresh

Sensation (2009, 2010, 2011, 2012)

Heads and Tails (TV programm) (since December 2012)

Secret.net

Boarding school (TV serial) (since 8 January 2013)

Night of devourers of MTV (since 8 February 2013) - the greatest programms of the old MTV (1999-2002, 2004-2007)

MTV News Block Daily

Eurovision diary (Perennial)

World Chart

Russian TOP 10

City File

Live with Bilan (Seasonal)

Stars. Here and Now

Scrubs

MTV Live

Naked Slow Business

Ticket to Kiss

Program Minimum

Next!

MTV Cribs

Club (TV series)

Entourage

South Park

Pimp My Ride

Making The Video

My Super Wet 16

Beauty and the Geek

Silent Games

Music for a Breakfast, Music Forever, Music on Topic of the Day, Music for the Negro

etc...

MTV Russia Music Awards & MTV Russia Movie Awards

Following the success of the MTV Europe Music Awards, Viacom International Media Networks launched a localized awards show for Russia called 'MTV Russia Music Awards'. The first awards show began in 2004 and aired on the channel annually until 2009. The awards show celebrated local and international artists. The 'Artist of the Year' award winner would go on to also win the winner of Best Russian Artist on the MTV Europe Music Awards. Russia is still represented at the MTV EMA's. Following on from the success of the local music awards show in Russia, 2006 saw the launch of MTV Russia Movie Awards. The awards show was presented by local and international actors such as Pamela Anderson in 2007 and Paris Hilton in 2008. The show was axed in April 2009.