MTV rolls out Japan channel

<p>MTV Networks will launch a new 24-hour service in Japan next year </p><p>in partnership with H&Q Asia Pacific's @JapanMedia. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>As part of the agreement, MTV Japan will replace the Vibe music channel, </p><p>which currently reaches 2.8 million households through cable and </p><p>satellite platforms. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Vibe staff will join MTV Japan, with technical operations and local </p><p>production facilities based in Vibe's existing Tokyo headquarters. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>The channel will be supported by advertising, and its programming will </p><p>feature original Japanese programmes targeting the 16-34 year-old </p><p>audience. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>"Japan is very important to MTV, and we look forward to partnering with </p><p>@JapanMedia to create a channel that will best reflect the interests of </p><p>today's Japanese audiences," said Mr William Roedy, MTV Networks </p><p>International president. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>The Viacom-owned music network has also teamed up with Nation </p><p>Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) to launch a new 24-hour terrestrial MTV </p><p>services in the Philippines next year. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>NBC will set up and operate the UHF channel, which was previously </p><p>operated by Studio 23, and MTV Philippines will air MTV-originated and </p><p>branded content 24 hours a day. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Meanwhile, MTV Asia has signed up Sanyo Electric and Siemen as the </p><p>regional sponsors of the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards, which will be </p><p>shown on MTV Southeast Asia, Mandarin, India and Philippines this </p><p>month. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Samsung Electronics has also signed up to sponsor MTV's Most Wanted </p><p>programme on MTV's Southeast Asia and India feeds, through to </p><p>November. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>In audience ratings, the music network has recorded significant growth </p><p>in ratings this year in Taiwan, achieving 70 per cent viewership among </p><p>15 to 24 year-old youths. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>MTV Mandarin tripled its ratings compared to its launch in 1995, </p><p>according to ACNielsen figures. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>The research indicated one in three young people between 15 to 24 years </p><p>old in Taiwan, with access to cable, watch MTV at least once a week. </p><p><BR><BR> </p>