Viacom HQ Sign - H 2013
Getty ImagesViacom is launching two new channels in Italy as part of a multi-year deal with Sky Italy.
Teen Nick, which targets teens, will launch by the end of the year. And MTV Next, an interactive MTV channel, launched on Saturday, the companies said.
Financial details weren’t disclosed.
Sky Italy currently airs Comedy Central, MTV, Nick Jr and Nickelodeon on its subscription-based service. It also recently closed a deal with Viacom to acquire Nuova Societa Televisiva Italiana, the company that operates a free-to-air MTV Italy channel, in an effort to further expand beyond its pay TV model.
The free-to-air station currently incorporates limited Sky content, but is expected to broaden Sky offerings alongside MTV-branded content in the coming months under the new deal.
In an effort to target younger consumers, Viacom will launch branded Nickelodeon and MTV apps in Italy next year, letting consumers watch shows and interact with content on a variety of devices.
Also as part of the new deal, Viacom content will be available on Sky On Demand. And select channels will be accessible on Sky Go, Sky Italy’s streaming platform, by the end of the year.
