MTV Networks and Apple announced Jan. 26, 2006, that hit television programming from MTV, MTV2, COMEDY CENTRAL, Nickelodeon and The N is now available for purchase and download on the iTunes Music Store (www.itunes.com). The new content features favorites, such as PUNK'D, SOUTH PARK, DORA THE EXPLORER, SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS and LAGUNA BEACH.
Nickelodeon's DORA is the first preschool program available on iTunes, while COMEDY CENTRAL'S STAND-UP is iTunes' first stand-up comedy program, and MTV's LAGUNA BEACH and REAL WORLD/ROAD RULES CHALLENGE: GAUNTLET 2 are the first reality-based titles available on iTunes.
With the addition of these 14 shows from MTV Networks, iTunes now offers more than 40 TV shows for $1.99 per episode for viewing on a computer or iPod.
"The iTunes Music Store provides an innovative way for us to get our wide range of programming to our viewers," said Jason Hirschhorn, chief digital officer, MTV Networks. "MTV Networks' brands feature some of the most popular programs in television today, and iTunes allows us to connect our content to even more audiences. We're committed to having our programming on multiple platforms as our audience's media consumption behavior evolves."
"Video has proven to be a smash hit on iTunes with over eight million videos sold," said Eddy Cue, Apple's vp of iTunes.
The new programming spans MTV Networks' varied brands and includes the entire first season of pop culture phenomenon and number-one kids' show SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS, as well as seasons one and two of television's top tween (K9-14) series, ZOEY 101, also will be accessible, as well as the first season of The N's teen hit, SOUTH OF NOWHERE. Also on tap is a first look at the season finale of The N's hit series, SOUTH OF NOWHERE, on Feb. 2, one day in advance of air.
For $1.99 per episode, consumers can download Nickelodeon and The N series from the iTunes Music Store TV section in the Nickelodeon branded area and view them on their iPods or computers. iTunes users have access to 74 half-hour episodes from the following Nickelodeon, Nick Jr. and The N programming library, with more rolling out in the next few weeks, including:* DORA THE EXPLORERSeason One (26 episodes)
* SPONGEBOB SQUAREPANTS Season One (20 episodes)
* ZOEY 101 Season One (13 episodes) Season Two (7 episodes)
* GIRLS WILL BE BOYS, which will premieres on iTunes three days prior to its Jan. 29 TEENick debut.
* SOUTH OF NOWHERESeason One (8 episodes)
Programming from Comedy Central includes SOUTH PARK, the Emmy Award-winning series, soon to begin its 10th season; COMEDY CENTRAL'S STAND-UP, featuring performances from top-draw comedians and DRAWN TOGETHER, presenting a world where cartoon characters from various genres of animation are brought together to live under one roof.
With Apple's legendary ease of use, pioneering features such as integrated video and Podcasting support, iMix playlist sharing, seamless integration with iPod and groundbreaking personal use rights, the iTunes Music Store makes it easy for Mac and PC users to legally discover, purchase and download music and videos online. The iTunes Music Store features a selection of more than 3,000 music videos, Pixar and Disney short films, a variety of hit TV shows, and more than two million songs from the major music companies and some 1,000 independent labels.
Apple (www.apple.com) ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Apple continues to lead the industry in innovation with its award-winning desktop and notebook computers, OS X operating system and iLife and professional applications. Apple is also spearheading the digital music revolution with its iPod portable music players and iTunes online music store.
MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom Inc. one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. MTV Networks, with more than 100 channels worldwide, owns and operates the following television programming services MTV: MUSIC TELEVISION, MTV2, VH1, mtvU, NICKELODEON, NICK at NITE, COMEDY CENTRAL, TV LAND, SPIKE TV, CMT, NOGGIN, LOGO, MTVN INTERNATIONAL and THE DIGITAL SUITE FROM MTV NETWORKS, a package of 13 digital services, all of these brands are trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks connects with its audiences through its robust consumer products businesses and its more than 95 interactive properties worldwide, including online, broadband, wireless and interactive television services and also has licensing agreements, joint ventures and syndication deals whereby all of its programming services can be seen worldwide.
