Type Cable television Products Television channels Founded 1987 | Industry Television Website www.mtvne.com Headquarters London, United Kingdom | |
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Area served Europe, Middle east and Africa Parent organizations Viacom, Viacom Networks Europe Inc, MTV Networks Europe LLC Areas served Europe, Middle East, Africa TV shows Peppa Pig, LazyTown, Euro Top 20, Roary the Racing Car, The Upside Down Show | ||
Viacom International Media Networks Europe (previously MTV Networks Europe) is a subsidiary of Viacom. The unit is no longer used, Viacom International Media Networks is now working in five operating units.
Contents
- Viacom International Media Networks Europe Divisions
- Brands of Viacom International Media Networks Europe
- Timeline MTV in Europe
- MTV branding
- Websites
- MTV licensing
- MTVs local offices
- MTV structural changes 2009present
- VH1
- VH1 Classic
- Comedy Central
- Paramount Channel
- Paramount Comedy
- VIVA
- Spike
- Additional channels
- High definition channels
- Defunct
- References
Viacom International Media Networks Europe includes the multimedia entertainment brands: MTV, VH1, VIVA, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, Nick Jr. and Channel 5. MTV Networks Europe is primarily based in London while also hosting a number of local offices throughout Europe, including Paris and Stockholm. Viacom International Media Networks Europe launched its first channel MTV Europe on 1 August 1987 from Amsterdam, with its main headquarters based in London. Regionalisation of MTV Networks Europe's channels began in March 1997 with the launch of MTV Germany. Today, MTV remains Viacom International Media Networks Europe's most widely distributed brand as of October 2008 reaching more than 218,186,000 million homes across Europe.
Viacom International Media Networks Europe Divisions
This division serves the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, Israel, Hungary and Central & Eastern Europe
Serving Germany, Austria & Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, Finland & Denmark, the Netherlands & Flanders, Poland, Ukraine, Estonia, Latvia & Lithuania
Serving France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Turkey, Middle east and Africa
Brands of Viacom International Media Networks Europe
Timeline MTV in Europe
This is a list of regional channels of MTV in Europe, in order of launch:
MTV branding
Upon its launch in Europe in the late 1980s, MTV Europe made use of MTV US's on-air identity. Overtime, MTV Europe gradually produced its own on-air identity throughout the 1990s. From 1997, MTV's regionalization throughout Europe brought about specialized on-air identity which reflected the tastes and influences from each region. As part of a global rebranding strategy, MTV Networks International decided to produce a new on-air identity that would air on all MTV channels around the world (except MTV US, MTV Canada and MTV Brazil). On 1 July 2009 all 64 MTV channels globally began to share the same on-air branding. This branding made use of a standardized logo, idents and promos (except MTV US, MTV Canada and MTV Brazil). The on-air branding initiative was called Pop X1000 reflecting 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 added by other global departments throughout the year. The branding was overseen by Universal Everything. This branding was adopted by MTV Networks Europe, MTV Networks Asia, MTV Networks Africa and MTV Networks Latin America. As part of MTV's rebrand awareness campaign MTV teamed up with Spanish retailer ZARA in December 2009 to provide branded themed T-shirts and hoodies representing the "Pop X 1000%" campaign. As of 8 November 2010 MTV launched is third phase of idents.
In 2010, MTV US rebranded its entire network of channels producing a revised version of the traditional MTV logo. It was decided that MTV Networks International channels would adopt this logo at a later date. On 1 July 2011 MTV Networks Europe will rebrand its network across Europe and globally. MTV's will replace its traditional logo the MTV:Music Television logo to be replaced by the current MTV US logo. On 30 June 2011 MTV's localized websites throughout Europe began to use the new branding. As part of a new strategy MTV Networks Europe will be part of Viacom Media International Networks. It is expected that MTV Networks Europe will be rebranded in winter 2011.
In Fall 2013, Viacom International Media Networks announced it would relaunch its MTV channels globally with a new on-air identity. This came into effect on 1 October 2013.
On June 25, 2015 - MTV International channels were rebranded with a new initiative to get more viewers involved with the channel. MTV launched MTVBump.com where viewers could upload short video clips which will air on MTV channels worldwide (excluding MTV US & MTV Canada). MTV also launched MTV Art Breaks where creative viewers can create special MTV idents. MTV will also launch MTV Creative another initiative to coincide with MTV Bump. However, MTV's rebrand still sees falling ratings.
Websites
Since January 2010, MTV Networks Europe has started to rebrand its localized websites featuring a standard website for each region. The website design is similar for each region but has information, news and entertainment specific to each region. MTV Belgium, MTV Netherlands, MTV Switzerland, MTV Portugal, MTV Sweden and MTV Denmark were the first to receive the new look website layout and design.
MTV licensing
Viacom International Media Networks Europe main headquarters are located in New York, United States, London, United Kingdom and Warsaw, Poland. In the past, most of the MTV channels throughout Europe are licensed through the UK broadcasting regulator Ofcom. This is not unusual within Europe, many broadcasters may locate their productions and output departments in one country but receive their broadcasting license from another European country. For example, MTV Networks Europe in Warsaw often produces programming for much of Europe, while MTV Networks Europe in London operates the broadcasting and licensing issues for this programming. As of 2010, MTV Networks Europe now receive their broadcasting licenses from broadcasting authorities in the Czech Republic (RRTV). All pan-European channels and channels broadcasting in the Czech Republic and Poland are licensed by RRTV.
Viacom International Media Networks's main brands include:
MTV's local offices
MTV Networks Europe's main headquarters are based in London and Warsaw. MTV Networks International (Europe) hosts local offices in the following cities:
MTV structural changes (2009–present)
MTV Networks Baltic a division of MTV Networks Europe has ceased the broadcasting of its local language feeds within the region with immediate effect. MTV Latvia and MTV Lithuania ceased operating as individual channels in January 2009 and replaced with MTV Lithuania and Latvia. As of 18 November 2009 both MTV Estonia and MTV Lithuania and Latvia have ceased operating. Both channels have been replaced by MTV Europe for the time being. MTV Networks International are to announce the future of MTV Estonia as a brand, while MTV Lithuania and Latvia will no-longer exist as a brand. MTV in the Baltic Region has been somewhat problematic, after a number of years under MTV Networks International (Europe), MTVNI established a licensing agreement with Ananey Communications in 2008 to continue to broadcast MTV Baltic's channels. With the global recession, advertising and sponsorship within the region became limited. Resulting in the closure of MTV Lithuania and replaced with MTV Latvia and Lithuania. Further financial difficulties resulted in the "temporary" closure of MTV Estonia and MTV Latvia and Lithuania.
On 4 November 2010 MTV Networks International offices in Amsterdam confirmed that from 1 January 2011 that TMF in the Netherlands broadcasting hours would be reduced until 15:00 each day. From 4 April 2011 TMF was gradually replaced by Kindernet and where the channel was only available online from the former TMF.nl website. On 1 September 2011 TMF in the Netherlands ceased broadcasting. TMF Nederland was the original channel before launching local channels in Belgium, UK and Australia. These local channels have been replaced with different channels. TMF's digital channels in the Netherlands TMF Live and TMF NL also ceased broadcasting. TMF Flanders in Belgium currently broadcasts as the only TMF channel.
On 16 September 2011 it was confirmed by Viacom International Media Networks its operations in the Nordic countries, Benelux region and Germany would operate under Viacom International Media Networks Northern Europe. VIMN Northern Europe operates from its central offices in Amsterdam, Stockholm and Berlin. Resulting in job losses at its offices from MTV Networks Benelux in Belgium and the Netherlands. The re-alignment will see all music programming come from its operations in Stockholm. Its Swedish offices operate local channels such as MTV and VH1 within VIMN Northern European's portfolio of music channels. All kids and family programming operates from Berlin these include localized versions of Nickelodeon, Nick Jr. and Kindernet. Whilst all the localized Comedy Central channels will be operated from Amsterdam. VIMN North European's portfolio includes the following territories: Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Finland, Sweden, Norway and Denmark. MTV's Amsterdam offices will remain open and will act as the technical play-out hub for the channels.
In December 2012, both Viacom International Media Networks and ProfMedia announced the closure of MTV Russia. Prof Media who purchased MTV Russia from VIMN in 2007, claimed the MTV brand is no-longer relevant in the territory and will be replaced by a more youth orientated general entertainment brand called 'Friday' on 1 June 2013. MTV Russia is one of the most widely distributed channels in the Russian Federation and was previously rated the most watched channel in the territory. Today, the channel has been relegated to the Top 20 channels in Russia. VIMN stated its commitment to the region stating its other MTV channels and brands such as VH1, Nickelodeon and the newly localized Comedy Central will continue to broadcast across Russia on cable and digital television providers. It has also been stated in some reports that MTV as a brand is in crisis in other Eastern European territories with falling ratings for MTV Poland and other local MTV channels in Central Eastern Europe. This is an ongoing trend for MTV globally, it was reported in fall 2012 that MTV US and its other channels have seen a fall in revenue and audience figures. Even though competition from on-demand music websites, MTV's transformation from music orientated television to youth orientated reality and scripted reality shows has failed to ignite the brand. On 31 May 2013 MTV Ukraine ceased broadcasting due to falling ratings.
On 3 July 2013 Viacom International Media Networks launched a localized version of MTV Base in South Africa. MTV South-Africa is an opt-out feed of the same channel with selected unique programming targeting South Africa. On 5 July 2013 VIMN announced it has purchased 51% of MTV Italy the channel was previously a joint-venture largely owned by Telecom Italia Media and VIMN. The ownership conditions have changed which means VIMN holds a larger share of the channel. On 12 September 2013 VIMN Europe announced it has gained 100% ownership of MTV Italia and associated channels from Telecom Italia.
Following the merger of MTV Networks New Zealand and MTV Networks Australia operations into one network based in Sydney in 2010, MTV (Australia & New Zealand) and its sister brand Comedy Central (New Zealand only) were placed under VIMN's - Viacom International Media Networks UK, Ireland, Australia, Central Eastern Europe and International Content Distribution. On 11 October 2013, VIMN's Sydney operations announced it would downsize. From year end all broadcasting is to be relocated to VIMN in London. VIMN's Sydney advertising department and Nickelodeon Australia and New Zealand will not be affected by this move.
From January 2014, MTV Czech Republic & Slovakia will come under full ownership of VIMN Europe. Following a decision by the current operator CME to hand back the licence to VIMN. The channel was replaced by MTV Europe January 2014, with the possibility of the channel relaunching. Similarly, MTV Hungary ceased broadcasting on 31 December 2013. In early 2014, Czech TV regular (RRTV is the license holder for MTV channels in Eastern Europe) issued MTV Hungary a new licence but this was handed back on 8 January 2014. On August 1, 2015 in Italy MTV Italia (DTT-free to air station) was sold to Sky Italia. In 2013 Viacom took full control of the channel after Telecom Italia Media sold its 51% share. At the same time Viacom launched on the platform of Sky, the new channel MTV Next. Viacom continues to broadcast in Italy through DTT the free-channel MTV Music (Italia) and remains active with Comedy Central, Nickelodeon and Nick Jr. through the platform of Sky Italia. MTV Classic Italia and MTV Hits Italia have been closed down on August 1.
On January 10, 2016 VIMN shutdown its Greek MTV channel due to a turndown in advertising and competition from MAD TV, the channel was replaced by MTV Europe. VIMN Europe confirmed its closure on January 6, 2016. This does not affect the Greek Nickelodeon service.
VH1
VH1 Classic
Comedy Central
Paramount Channel
Paramount Comedy
VIVA
Spike
Additional channels
Germany
Italy
Africa
Middle East and North Africa
Netherlands
Turkey
France
United Kingdom