Viacom, U.K.'s BT Strike TV Network Carriage Deal

3:25 AM PST 1/9/2013 by Georg Szalai

5
56
0
0
185
Email
Print
Comments

The arrangement will bring MTV, Comedy Central and Nickelodeon to the BT Vision pay TV service in Britain, which competes with the likes of BSkyB.

LONDON - U.K. telecom giant BT Vision has signed a carriage deal with Viacom's Viacom International Media Networks to bring the MTV, Comedy Central and Nickelodeon channels to its BT Vision pay TV service.

BT Vision Inks Content Deal With Universal Networks International

Pay TV Operator BT Vision Tops UK Consumer Complaints Chart In Third Quarter

BT Vision Strikes Content Deal With Discovery Networks U.K.

Financial terms weren't disclosed. The agreement is BT's latest carriage arrangement with a Hollywood conglomerate.

"MTV, Comedy Central and Nickelodeon channels will be streamed on BT Vision, with some programs available on-demand from early 2013," BT said.

The new channels join BT Vision’s growing list of linear channels, which include NBCUniversal's Universal Channel, Syfy, E!, Discovery Communications' Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, as well as News Corp.'s FX, National Geographic and National Geographic Wild.

David Lynn, managing director and executive vp, UK, Australia & Eastern Europe & international content distribution at VIMN, said: “We are delighted to be able to bring three of the world’s top entertainment channels to BT Vision viewers. Across kids, youth and adults, VIMN brands showcase some of the most popular content - from Geordie Shore, Two and a Half Men and SpongeBob SquarePants - to our audience, however they want to view it. Being part of BT Vision represents the natural next step in delivering that content."

“We’re really excited about these channels coming to BT Vision," said BT's CEO of TV Marc Watson. "MTV is the pioneer in creating innovative programming for young people, with the best in music, celebrity news and reality TV, Comedy Central is cutting edge comedy overflowing with provocative, original programming and Nickelodeon is the number one brand in the world for kids.”

Comedy Central is the U.K.’s most popular comedy TV brand and is currently the number one pay TV general entertainment channel for 16-34-year-olds, available in more than 13 million homes, the companies said.

Comedy Central airs U.K. shows such as Threesome and such U.S. hits as The Daily Show, South Park, 30 Rock, Friends, Two and a Half Men and Charlie Sheen’s Anger Management.

Email: Georg.Szalai@thr.com

Twitter: @georgszalai