Bio

MTV is a 24-hour music video and entertainment channel that emphasizes the variety of styles and tastes in popular culture today. The network broadcasts numerous original variety and game-style shows aimed at a teenage and early 20s audience. The network features news and interview programs with music stars and movie celebrities in addition to award shows, concerts, and special musical events. Launched on August 1, 1981, it wasn't long before the 24-hour network transformed the nature of the music industry and the overall American pop cultural landscape. One of the earliest cable success stories, MTV was established by Warner Amex Satellite Entertainment Company (WASEC) after extensive marketing research. MTV has its own award shows, the MTV Video Music Awards and the MTV Movie Awards. To compensate for the cutback in video play, in 1996 MTV launched MTV2, a supplemental, all-music-videos network. MTV's reach can be felt internationally as well. MTV Europe, launched in 1987, was followed by an Asian service in 1991 and MTV Latino in 1993. MTV News, the network's news department, reports the latest information on various artists, record releases, concert events and tour schedules, movie releases and reviews, personality news and interviews, and Internet activity. Coverage also focuses on significant political, social, and cultural issues important to its target audience, 13 to 25 year-olds. Headquartered in New York's Times Square, MTV also has a bureau in Los Angeles. Worldwide, MTV reaches an estimated 250 million viewers. Music and entertainment news-related press releases should be faxed to the MTV News assignment desk. In July 2005, MTV Networks launched a new, in-house mobile-messaging platform to deliver wireless entertainment content and interactivity to consumers. The new platform made accessible content from Comedy Central (Joke of the Day, Insult of the Day, Booty Calls and Daily Show Headlines), VH1 (Best Week Ever and This Day in Pop Culture) and CMT/Country Music Television (Pick or Flick). MTV Networks launched its first HD channel, MHD, in February 2006. MHD carries music-based native-HD programming including MTV Unplugged, VH1 Storytellers, CMT Crossroads and music events such as the MTV Video Music Awards, as well as new shows such as UnCompressed and the exclusive concert series Music With Altitude. All programs are broadcast using Dolby Digital 5.1. MTV is a division of Viacom Inc. The network offers a digital Podcast. Top tips for PR Professionals: Press inquiries for all MTV programs should be directed via phone call to the main switchboard.