MTVNI Furthers HD Push

LONDON/NEW YORK/WARSAW: MTV Networks International (MTVNI) is planning to expand its slate of high-definition services throughout next year with the launch of new channels and programming.

Nickelodeon HD will launch as a 24-hour channel in the U.K. on Sky as of October 5. This follows the launch of Comedy Central HD earlier this summer. MTVNI will invest in additional high-definition services with an international Nickelodeon HD channel in 2011 in markets such as Poland, Russia, Israel and Brazil.

MTVHD will no longer air a weekend block of Nickelodeon programming. The MTVHD service will continue to expand distribution and is expected to be available in 30 countries by the end of this year.

"With the successful launch and expansion of MTVNHD in less than two years, we are committed to further investment in the high definition medium across our industry leading brands," commented Bob Bakish, the president of MTVNI. "These new HD services will create stronger bonds with our kid, youth and adult audiences, as well as provide innovative new products to cable and satellite operators as demand continues to grow. HD will help fuel our long-term creative and business growth as we continue to leverage our global scale and expertise to develop, package and deliver quality content across all platforms."