MTV Czech Unveils Launch Schedule

PRAGUE/LONDON: MTV Networks International (MTVNI) and TV Nova have announced the programming lineup of the soon-to-launch MTV channel in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, which debuts November 29 with shows such as The City and Nitro Circus.

The launch will kick off at 9 p.m. with three music videos played back to back: Empire State of Mind, by Jay-Z and Alicia Keys, which is also making its debut in the Czech Republic and Slovakia on MTV; V Bezvětří, by Czech songstress Aneta Langerová, the first winner of Czech Idols; and Numb, by Grammy Award-winning U.S. rap rock band Linkin Park, which is shot on location in Prague. The 13×30-minute series The City will air first, followed by the modeling reality show 8th and Ocean and stunt show Nitro Circus.

MTV is the first MTVNI service to be localized in the Czech Republic and Slovakia and will be available to around 1.5 million households via cable, satellite and IPTV platforms. Further programs in the lineup include Fur TV, Cribs, Pimp My Ride and A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila. A Czech-language website, www.mtv.cz, which will launch simultaneously to support the channel, will provide users with program synopses, schedules, promos, downloads and more.

Petr Dvorak, the general director of TV Nova, commented: “We’re proud to announce that the world’s most well known youth brand, MTV, is the latest addition to our portfolio, joining our other thematic services, Nova Cinema and Nova Sport. We believe that MTV will be really well received by Czech and Slovak youth and we’re confident it will quickly become their number one channel of choice.”

Bhavneet Singh, the managing director and executive VP of emerging markets at MTVNI, said: “There has been tremendous interest in MTV Czech since we announced our intention to launch the service and we are delighted to finally unveil our launch plans together with TV Nova. The Czech Republic and Slovakia have been priority markets for us for some time now and it is really exciting to see the channel come to life. This launch is a real landmark in our network’s history and we hope that MTV will become a landmark in Czech and Slovak youth culture too.”