VIACOM International Media Networks Asia brings 24-hour world class music back to Thailand with the return of MTV
THAILAND, 19 April 2013 – Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) Asia, a division of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB) today announced an exclusive licensing agreement with AppleTool Co. Ltd, a local general entertainment content provider and a subsidiary of VR1 Media Group, to bring MTV Thailand back for fans and viewers to enjoy the 24-hour world class youth entertainment channel. VR1 Media Group operates 2 radio stations, a marketing event unit as well as a local general entertainment channel in Thailand. The channel will officially launch on May 1st on Ku-band satellite, which provides access to True Visions customers on Channel 59 on its free view pack, and on C-band satellite, which will reach over 10 million households. The channel’s test signal went live yesterday.
“We have always seen Thailand as an important market for us, so getting ourselves back in this market is in line with our on-going strategy to extend the coverage of MTV across Asia. It was vital for us to find the right partner who is not only a strong local content producer, but shares the same synergy as we continue to promote and reflect local and cultural tastes and music talents across the region,” said VIMN Asia’s executive vice president and managing director, Indra Suharjono. “This move also demonstrates our commitment to strengthen local programming and cater to the specific viewing preferences of Thai millennials.”
AppleTool is a content provider, who produces local general entertainment channel and has a local block time on Channel 9 through its subsidiary O Noi Ogg.
“VR1 Media Group is very excited to collaborate with VIMN on this multi-year deal, to launch such an iconic youth entertainment brand like MTV by leveraging our strengths in local production and our strong relationships with agencies and advertisers,” said Byrd Kulpong Bunnag, chief executive officer, VR1 Media Group. “We are confident that our extended distribution both on free-to-air C band and the True Visions platform will give the channel the ability to grow a strong base of core viewers across the whole of Thailand.”
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About MTV
MTV is the world’s premier youth entertainment brand. With a global reach of more than a half-billion households, MTV is the cultural home of the millennial generation, music fans and artists, and a pioneer in creating innovative programming for young people. MTV reflects and creates pop culture with its award-winning content built around compelling storytelling, music discovery and activism across TV, online and mobile. Outside of the United States, MTV is part of Viacom International Media Networks, a division of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), one of the world’s leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. For information about MTV in Southeast Asia, visit www.mtvasia.com.
About Viacom International Media Networks
Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN), a unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), is comprised of many of the world’s most popular multimedia entertainment brands, including MTV, Nickelodeon, Comedy Central, BET, Paramount Channel, VH1, VIVA, COLORS, Game One and Tr3s: MTV, Música y Más. Viacom brands are seen globally in more than 600 million households in 170 territories and 37 languages via more than 200 locally programmed and operated TV channels and more than 550 digital media and mobile TV properties. For more information about Viacom and its businesses, visit www.viacom.com. Keep up with Viacom news by following Viacom’s blog at blog.viacom.com and Twitter feed at www.twitter.com/Viacom.
About VR1 Media Group
VR1 Media Group has been influential in teens music movement in Thailand through its Fat Radio station and Fat Festival event. The Group also operates 101 FM, a leading news radio station in Bangkok. VR1 has recently launched Apple One, a satellite TV station, offering a variety of unique and entertaining programs.
Media Contacts:
Viacom International Media Networks
Adeline Ong, Senior Director, Corporate Communications, Asia
t: (65) 6420 7240 m: (65) 9366 7323
e: adeline.ong@vimn.com
Twitter: @VIMNAsia_PR
Loh Bi Feng, Executive, Corporate Communications, Asia
t: (65) 6420 7154 m: (65) 9002 9607
e: loh.bifeng@vimn.com
VR1 Media Group
Watson Homsangpradit
m: (66) 81 901 7228
e: watsonhomeboy@gmail.com