Viacom International Media Networks Africa (previously MTV Networks Africa) is a subsidiary of Viacom.
VIMN Africa includes the multimedia entertainment brands: MTV, MTV Base, VH1, VH1 Classic, Comedy Central, Nickelodeon, Nicktoons, Nick Jr. and BET.
Since 2006, MTV Networks Africa offices are located in Johannesburg, South Africa. Previously, the networks offices were located at MTV Networks Europe headquarters in London, United Kingdom.
In November 1998, Viacom International Media Networks Europe; then MTV Networks Europe announced the creation of Nickelodeon in Africa. The channel would broadcast along with MTV Europe. A programming block launched on July 1, 1999, here Nickelodeon shows aired on MNET's children's block K-TV. In 2005, K-TV decided to cease broadcasting Nickelodeon produced programming. In 2008, VIMN Africa decided to launch a 24-hour channel across Africa.
Since MTV's launch in Europe in the late 1980s, MTV Europe was made available in some territories across Africa primarily South Africa throughout the 1990s. Gradually, as MTV began to localize its brand in Europe, MTV France and MTV Portugal were added to the boutique of channels available across the African continent on major cable and digital television platforms.
In 2004, MTV Networks International announced it had plans to launch its 100th channel, in Africa with the launch of MTV Africa (proposed branding). In February 2005, MTV Networks International launched MTV Base Africa. The channel was launched as with a live music special with live performances from local African and international artists.
In 2008, MTV Networks Internationals subsidiary MTV Networks Africa launched its first awards show aptly titled MTV Africa Music Awards. The annual event celebrates the best in music from mainstream and unsigned artists from the African continent. The award show is hosted from a different African city each year similar to its counterpart the MTV Europe Music Awards.
As of, July 1, 2009 MTV Base Africa utilizes the on-air and online branding of MTV's other 64 global channels globally share the same on-air branding. This branding makes the use of a standardised logo, idents and promos (except MTV US, MTV Canada and MTV Brazil). This is part of MTV Networks International's global branding initiative. The on-air branding titled Pop X1000 reflects the changing nature of popular culture with MTV at the heart of these rapid changes. The branding was designed by MTV's design department World Design Studio in Milan, with additional designs being added by other global departments throughout the year. The branding has been overseen by Universal Everything. This branding has been adopted by MTV Networks Europe, MTV Networks Asia, MTV Networks Africa and MTV Networks Latin America. As of November 8, 2010 MTV launched is third phase of idents.
MTV Networks Africa also operates additional channels these include a localized version of Nickelodeon and promotes the European versions of MTV Live HD, VH1, MTV, MTV Portugal and MTV France.
