MTV rolls out Japan channel

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

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