mtvU, MTV's 24-hour college network, today (Oct. 10, 2005) unveiled MTV Networks' first channel distributed entirely over broadband, "mtvU Uber" (www.mtvu.com). "mtvU Uber" is available everywhere, through both non-stop streaming and a unique on-demand capability, enabling viewers to customize their experience.
The channel offers mtvU's on-air programming available to everyone, and will also showcase a powerful lineup of original programming driven by new music, short-form series, as well as student-produced short films, music videos, animation, webisodes and more.
"With today's announcement, we are handing over an entire channel online to college students and everyone who wants new music," said Stephen Friedman, gm, mtvU. "mtvU Uber gives them the power to create and program their own channel, and will remain in perpetual beta mode as they experiment and pioneer the digital future."
As part of the launch, mtvU also announced a partnership with Cisco Systems Inc to award 10 grants of $25,000 to the next generation of digital innovators. The partnership will create 10 "broadband incubators," funding students or student groups to create games, movie shorts, music videos and more for the broadband environment. These projects will be released exclusively on "mtvU Uber."
"mtvU Uber" will also feature exclusive music premieres, new shows and student-produced series and specials, including:
* ROUGH CUT Student bands and artists upload their own music videos and leave it up to the college audience online to decide if they make THE CUT the multi-platform mtvU franchise that helped launch the careers of artists such as Joss Stone and Coheed & Cambria.
* UNVEIL UNVEIL gives college music fans an exclusive live performance of a highly anticipated album before it hits stores. Artists perform their new albums just for "mtvU Uber" with one new song debuting every day leading up to the album's release.
* BREAKING THE VIDEO Students compete to produce and direct music videos for their favorite artists, starting with college favorite O.A.R. Bands choose their favorite student pitches, head to campus for the shoot, then their videos premiere on "mtvU Uber."
* UBER LIVE mtvU is teaming up with University of Pennsylvania's student radio station WXPN and World Cafe to present exclusive performances that can only be seen on "Uber."
* UBER HOUSE BAND The artists resonating most on the college scene achieve "artist in residence" status as "mtvU Uber's" official "House Bands," featuring exclusive performance footage, video premieres, backstage pass interviews and much more.
* STUDENT SHORTS A national platform for the next generation of great filmmakers, "mtvU Uber" will feature the best student films from around the country, starting with award-winning student shorts from the venerable UCLA and USC film schools.
* SOUNDTRACK Students, celebrities and artists present the soundtracks of their lives, connecting the music and videos they live their lives to, to the moments of their days and nights.
Broadcasting to more than 730 colleges across the country, with a combined enrollment of some 6.8 million, mtvU is the largest, most comprehensive television network just for college students. mtvU can be seen 24/7 in the dining areas, fitness centers, student lounges and dorm rooms of campuses throughout the U.S.
mtvU and mtvU Uber are part of the Viacom International Inc. family, which also owns the MTV Networks programming services MTV, MTV2, VH1, Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite, TV Land, Spike TV, CMT and others.
