VH1 LatAm To Start.

As part of MTV Networks Latin America’s continued expansion plans in the region, it was announced today that VH1 Latin America will hit the air on April 1st 2004, with Mexico being the anchor market for the channel’s launch. In this first phase, VH1 will also have distribution in Ecuador and Venezuela. The panregional general entertainment network targeting the 25-49 year-old audience will celebrate pop culture and music through original programming hits such as “Behind The Music”, “Divas”, “Before they Were Rock Stars” and “All Access”, among others.

“At last, those of us in the over 25 demo have our VH1 for Latin America!” said, Antoinette Zel, President of MTV Networks Latin America. “The launch of VH1 is not only a natural next step for MTV Networks Latin America’s evolution, localizing another key Viacom brand to reach a completely new audience segment of 25-49 but, it also rounds out one of our strategic goals of expanding our creative philosophy and quality content to a breadth of demos, ages 4 to 49. Our viewers begin with Nickelodeon, transition to MTV and then graduate to VH1. Simply, VH1 adds a dimension to the Latin American Pay-TV dial that is music-based, fun, smart and entertaining on a 24-hour basis.”

VH1 is expected to reach 75% of the Mexican cable market by year-end 2004. It will launch in Mexico with a remarkable 50% penetration of the cable market via Cablevisión México and some of the most important PCTV’s affiliated systems such as Cablecom, Cablelmás Megacable, Cablevisión Monterrey, Grupo Hevi, Televicable del Centro, and Televicable de Provincia. Initial distribution will also include Univisa Ecuador and Net Uno in Venezuela and additional distribution with other Latin American MSO’s will be announced in the future.

“Mexico’s potential for growth and opportunity makes it a priority for MTV Networks and the perfect market to anchor this launch”, said Pierluigi Gazzolo, Senior Vice President of Distribution, MTV Networks Latin America. “VH1 adds to the guaranteed quality programming MTV Networks Latin America already offers with MTV and Nick in the region. We’re getting a great response from our pay TV partners so we’ll be announcing additional distribution very soon.”