Sky Buys MTV Italia, Launching Two New Viacom Channels in Italy

LONDON: Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) and Sky Italia have reached a deal to launch two new branded channels, Teen Nick and MTV Next, following on the acquisition of MTV Italia.

Sky Italia recently agreed to acquire the free-to-air channel MTV Italia. The move will see the integration of existing MTV content with Sky Italia programming.

VIMN and Sky Italia have extended their partnership as well through a new multiyear agreement. The pact sees two new pay channels joining the Viacom portfolio on Sky in Italy. Teen Nick, a Nickelodeon channel targeting teenagers, is set to launch by the end of the year. MTV Next, a new MTV branded channel featuring a strong interactive component, launched on August 1. Also, Viacom expects to deliver authenticated Nickelodeon and MTV branded apps in Italy in 2016. A selection of Viacom content will also be available on Sky On Demand and a number of its channels are expected to be launched on Sky Go in Italy by the end of the year.