Viacom and DIRECTV Sign Long Term Carriage Agreement
July 20 2005 - 11:00AM
PR Newswire (US)
Viacom and DIRECTV Sign Long Term Carriage Agreement Deal Includes
Carriage for MTV Networks Services, BET, CBS, UPN and the Viacom
Television Stations Group NEW YORK, July 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/
-- Viacom Inc. (NYSE:VIANYSE:VIA.B) and DIRECTV, Inc. today
announced a comprehensive long-term agreement that secures
continued carriage of CBS, UPN, BET, and several MTV Networks
channels, including, MTV, Nickelodeon, VH1, TV Land, Comedy
Central, Spike TV, CMT, Noggin, BET, MTV2, VH1 Classic, Nicktoons,
and MTV Espanol, to DIRECTV subscribers nationwide and local
carriage to DIRECTV subscribers of CBS and UPN O&O broadcast
stations. The deal also provides DIRECTV with the necessary rights
to launch CBS' industry leading HDTV programming on a "local into
local" basis. Effective June 30, DIRECTV began carrying LOGO on
channel 263 as part of its TOTAL CHOICE(R) PLUS package. DIRECTV
also launched MTV Desi on July 12 as part of its HindiDirect(TM)
programming package. "We are thrilled once again to partner with
DIRECTV and continue to deliver their customers the incredible
quality and diversity they expect from MTV Networks channels," said
Nicole Browning, President, Affiliate Sales and Marketing, MTV
Networks. "Through our agreement with DIRECTV, even more consumers
will be 'super-served' with content created just for them and they
will be able to experience our unique brands and networks." "This
broad-based agreement assures that CBS and UPN viewers in our
O&O markets will continue to enjoy access to the programming
they value from both networks via DIRECTV," said Martin D. Franks,
Executive Vice President, CBS. "Additionally, as co-pioneers in the
world of HDTV, we and DIRECTV will now work together over time to
bring our viewers "local into local" HD. This is truly a mutually
beneficial agreement for the audiences we share." "Viacom has been
a long-time, valued partner of DIRECTV and consistently delivers a
high-quality, robust programming lineup that our customers enjoy,"
said Dan Fawcett, Executive Vice President, Programming
Acquisitions. "This agreement enables DIRECTV to provide our
customers with the excellence they have come to expect from us and
to continue delivering the best television experience available."
About DIRECTV: DIRECTV is the nation's leading and fastest-growing
digital multichannel television service provider with more than
14.4 million customers. DIRECTV and the Cyclone Design logo are
registered trademarks of DIRECTV, Inc. (NYSE: DTV). DIRECTV is a
world-leading provider of digital multi-channel television
entertainment. DIRECTV is approximately 34 percent owned by News
Corporation. For more information visit http://www.directv.com/.
Viacom is a leading global media company, with preeminent positions
in broadcast and cable television, radio, outdoor advertising, and
online. With programming that appeals to audiences in every
demographic category across virtually all media, the company is a
leader in the creation, promotion, and distribution of
entertainment, news, sports, music, and comedy. Viacom's well-
known brands include CBS, MTV, Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite, VH1, BET,
Paramount Pictures, Infinity Broadcasting, Viacom Outdoor, UPN, TV
Land, Comedy Central, CMT: Country Music Television, Spike TV,
Showtime, Blockbuster, and Simon & Schuster. More information
about Viacom and its businesses is available at
http://www.viacom.com/. DATASOURCE: MTV Networks CONTACT: Jeanine
Smartt of MTV Networks, +1-212-846-7437; Jade Ekstedt of DIRECTV,
+1-310-964-3429; or Dana McClintock of CBS, +1-212-975-1077 Web
site: http://www.directv.com/ http://www.viacom.com/
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