MTV Networks to Launch Premium Subscription Channels for Sprint Customers

MTV Networks to Launch Premium Subscription Channels for Sprint Customers

NEW YORK and OVERLAND PARK, Kan., Sept. 28 /PRNewswire/ -- MTV Networks, a division of Viacom Inc. (NYSE:VIA)(NYSE:VIAB) and Sprint (NYSE:S), the third- largest wireless carrier in the United States, today announced an agreement to bring the top MTV Networks' brands and programming direct to Sprint PCS customers on their multimedia phones, giving them access to comedy, music and much more in the palm of their hand. Starting in October, Sprint expects to offer Sprint PCS customers access to exclusive programming and other short content from some of MTV Networks' leading cable networks, including Comedy Central, VH1, CMT, Nickelodeon and The N.

The agreement expands the line-up of multimedia channel offerings available via the Emmy(R) Award-winning Sprint PCS Vision(SM) Multimedia Services to include the most recognized youth, music and entertainment brands in the world. All of the Sprint multimedia channel offerings are available on the Nationwide Sprint PCS Network (CDMA 1XRTT).

"The relationship each MTV Networks channel has with its audience is very unique, so we're highly focused on making sure our mobile content is equally unique -- and available to all of our audiences wherever they are across multiple platforms," said Jason Hirschhorn, Senior Vice President of Digital Music and Media for MTV Networks. "As we continue extending the distribution of our successful mobile video franchises, we are constantly reminded that consumers will go to the brands they love to customize their wireless experience. In a way, it's kind of like 'Pimp My Phone'."

"More than three years ago, Sprint was the first to bring the third screen to life and launch broadcast television on a mobile phone. Today, we continue to lead the industry in wireless-data users and in bringing the biggest brands in entertainment to our customers," said Jeff Hallock, vice president wireless product strategy and marketing for Sprint. "With MTV Networks' top brands becoming a part of our multimedia offerings, our customers can now have the choice and flexibility to view the content they've come to enjoy at home anytime and anywhere on our nationwide network."

In addition to the premium subscription channels, Sprint expects to offer Sprint PCS customers the ability to download a variety of other branded mobile content from each network, including Music Tones that feature celebrity personalities and exclusive music content, news updates, alerts such as "Joke of the Day" and screen savers.

Sprint PCS Vision Multimedia Services offers a variety of live and on-demand video and audio channels delivered directly to the customer's wireless handset and viewed by a built-in media player. Sprint TV customers have the choice of subscribing to individual channels from an expanding list of brands offering in-depth content or selecting one of two channels featuring a variety of content. All content is developed directly by the provider and sent to the subscriber as frequently as needed in order to ensure the most up-to-date news and information is being delivered.

About MTV Networks:

MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom International Inc. (NYSE:VIA)(NYSE:VIA.B), is 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 SUITE FROM MTV NETWORKS, a package of 13 digital services, all of these networks are trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks connects with its audiences through its robust consumer products businesses and its more than 80 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.

About Sprint Nextel:

Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services to consumer, business and government customers. Sprint Nextel is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including two robust wireless networks offering industry leading mobile data services; instant national and international walkie-talkie capabilities; and an award-winning and global Tier 1 Internet backbone. For more information, visit http://www.sprint.com/mr.

Cautionary Statement regarding forward-looking information

This news release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the securities laws. The statements in this news release regarding the business outlook, expected performance, information regarding the expected synergies resulting from the merger of Sprint and Nextel, as well as other statements that are not historical facts, are forward-looking statements. The words "estimate," "project," "forecast," "intend," "expect," "believe," "target," "providing guidance" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are estimates and projections reflecting management's judgment and involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those suggested by the forward-looking statements. With respect to these forward-looking statements, management has made assumptions regarding, among other things, customer and network usage, customer growth and retention, pricing, operating costs, the timing of various events and the economic environment.

Source: MTV Networks

CONTACT: Jeanine Smartt, MTV Networks, +1-212-846-7437; or Leslie Stafford, Sprint, +1-913-794-3654

Web site: http://www.mtv.com/ http://www.sprint.com/mr

------- Profile: Ent