MTV Networks Asia Pacific today announced plans to launch MTV and Nickelodeon channels customised for young viewers in New Zealand. Featuring local productions and New Zealand presenters, both channels will be carried by SKY Television and will reach more than 650,000 homes, which is approximately 43% of all television homes nationwide.
MTV New Zealand will air 24 hours a day on SKY digital channel 35 beginning Aug. 19. 2006. While it will include many of MTV’s globally popular programs, the channel will be able to focus more heavily on New Zealand artist and will allowing MTV to work closely with record labels to devise ways to promote and support these acts.
Nickelodeon New Zealand will launch on SKY digital channel 42 on Aug. 1, providing 24-hour localized programming for kids 2-14. Offerings will include animation, live-action, comedy, game shows and Nick Jr. pre-school content. Nickelodeon was previously seen in New Zealand as part of the pan-regional Nick Asia feed.
“Kids in New Zealand will now have a Nickelodeon to call their own and celebrate the fun, kid-centric world of our channel,” says Catherine Nebauer, senior VP and general manager of Nickelodeon Networks Asia. “Our early forays into the market allowed kids to explore and discover Nick, so to take it to the next level and offer them a localized channel is a perfect next step in our growth.”
MTV and Nickelodeon’s New Zealand operations will be based in Auckland, where daily operations will be overseen by a full staff. Set-up efforts are being headed by MTV Networks Asia Pacific’s director of business development, Chris Keely, and key management appointments will be announced soon.
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