AT&T Scores New Viacom Deal

DALLAS/NEW YORK, January 15: AT&T Services has clinched a new deal with Viacom, bringing MTV Networks and BET Networks channels to its in-car entertainment service, among other platforms.

The agreement renews carriage for the MTVN and BETN channels and VOD content already featured on the AT&T U-verse TV platform. Plus, seven new HD networks will be added to the lineup later this year, including MTV HD, VH1 HD, CMT HD, BET HD, Nickelodeon HD, Comedy Central HD and Spike HD. New international channels will also be added to the U-verse platform, including MTV India.

The new alliance also brings five MTVN and BETN channels to the AT&T CruiseCast in-car entertainment service when it launches later this spring.

"This strategic deal brings more content to our customers in new and better ways, while supporting Viacom with increased distribution and advertising revenue," said Dan York, the executive VP of content at AT&T Services. "Our agreement helps us with several competitive content initiatives, including further differentiating our product set."

"This deal reaffirms our companies’ long-standing relationship, expanding the reach of our services to bring more content to more consumers across AT&T services," added Denise Denson, the executive VP of content distribution and marketing at MTVN. "We have always been committed to maintaining and growing our business relationships. In addition to carrying our popular programming, the expansion of the agreement into new products reinforces the value of MTV Networks and BET Networks’ brands in marketing and driving consumer adoption of multiplatform services."

—By Mansha Daswani