MTV Mobile Goes 'Bananas'

NEW YORK, Dec. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- MTV, a unit of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA) , today announced the launch of "Bananas," the first MTV- branded mobile content subscription service. MTV's "Bananas" is a cross- carrier, direct-to-consumer offering that features exclusive content from MTV, MTV2 and mtvU including material from hit shows such as "Laguna Beach," "The Real World," "Two-A-Days," "Rob & Big" and "The Hills." The technology behind "Bananas" is being provided by Motricity, a leading global provider of mobile marketplace management solutions.

"Bananas" offers two tiers of service, each delivering an array of content from MTV programming as well as music ringtones from major record labels. Subscribers can download music-related content as well as sound-bites, cast photos, graphics, ringtones and wallpapers from popular current programs and yesterday's favorites such as "Beavis & Butt-head."

"We know that our audience is looking for great viewing experiences on multiple screens and we're focused on creating quality entertainment they'll love for mobile," said Christina Norman, President, MTV. "MTV has a unique advantage in this space thanks to our extensive experience with creating video our audience connects with, and we're excited to offer that to our viewers on mobile."

"'Bananas' gives us an opportunity to share MTV content and MTV programmed tones with our technology-savvy audience to give them a broader opportunity to interact with our brand on their mobile device," said Greg Clayman, Senior Vice President of MTVN Mobile Media Group.

This offering builds upon the success MTV has experienced with other mobile content offerings including made-for-mobile original video series such as "Sway's Hip-Hop Owner's Manual," made-for-mobile video programming, ringtones and wallpapers and text-messaging applications produced especially for current MTV series such as "Laguna Beach," "The Real World," "The Hills" and similar content produced for signature MTV events including "The 2006 Video Music Awards," "The MTV Movie Awards," Spring Break and more.

MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA) , is one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. MTV Networks, with more than 120 channels worldwide, owns and operates the following television programming services - MTV: MUSIC TELEVISION, MTV2, VH1, mtvU, NICKELODEON, NICK at NITE, COMEDY CENTRAL, TV LAND, SPIKE TV, CMT, NOGGIN, VH1 CLASSIC, LOGO, MTVN INTERNATIONAL and THE DIGITAL SUITE FROM MTV NETWORKS, a package of 13 digital services, all of these networks are trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks connects with its audiences through its robust consumer products businesses and its more than 95 interactive properties worldwide, including online, broadband, wireless and interactive television services and also has licensing agreements, joint ventures, and syndication deals whereby all of its programming services can be seen worldwide.