MTV Networks and US wireless carrier, Sprint, have signed a deal, under which customers of Sprint's Sprint PCS Vision Multimedia Services offering (note: the latter offers a range of live and on-demand video and audio channels that can be accessed via a media player on certain Sprint mobile phones) will be able to access MTV programming and short-form content from other MTV-owned cable networks, including Comedy Central, VH1, CMT, Nickelodeon and The N. "The relationship each MTV Networks channel has with its audience is very unique, so we're highly focused on making sure our mobile content is equally unique--and available to all of our audiences wherever they are across multiple platforms," MTV Networks' SVP of digital music and media, Jason Hirschhorn, said in a prepared statement. "As we continue extending the distribution of our successful mobile video franchises, we are constantly reminded that consumers will go to the brands they love to customize their wireless experience. In a way, it's kind of like 'Pimp My Phone.'" The deal will see Sprint, in addition to offering MTV Networks' programming on a subscription basis, providing Sprint PCS Multimedia Services customers with the ability to download a range of branded content from each of the networks, including news updates, exclusive news content, and alerts such as "Joke of the Day." Shortly before announcing the deal with Sprint, MTV announced that it had reached a deal with Warner Music Group, under which it will license content from the latter's music video library to develop programming for mobile phones in the US and internationally. MTV has not said whether it plans to make the Warner-derived programming available on Sprint's service.
Click http://www.itvt.com to subscribe to our free email newsletter, which contains all the news stories you see on this Web site, and additional breaking news and scoops, in-depth features, interviews, and other exclusive content you will not read anywhere else.
