Group Abril Takes Full Control of MTV Brazil

SÃO PAULO: Group Abril has acquired Viacom’s remaining 30-percent interest in MTV Brazil, expanding the media group’s abilities to exploit the brand across TV, online, mobile, radio, licensing and other platforms.

With the new deal, the MTV Brazil joint venture between Group Abril and Viacom has been dissolved. According to André Mantovani, the general director of Grupo TV, the new structure will enable the expansion of MTV Brazil. “With the exclusive license to use the brand, we have complete autonomy in all businesses. This will allow us to launch other initiatives, even on media platforms that we don’t currently service.”

Sofia Ioannou, the managing director of MTV Networks Latin America, added: "Moving from a minority owned joint venture to a licensing agreement is in line with our international strategy for growth where our brands can be maximized in key markets, such as Brazil. With this agreement, MTV Brazil has the ability to optimize its distribution on other platforms to provide clients and consumers with the best possible connection to the MTV brand."