Viacom and DIRECTV Sign Long Term Carriage Agreement

    NEW YORK, July 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Viacom Inc. (NYSE:   VIA, VIA.B)
 and DIRECTV, Inc. today announced a comprehensive long-term agreement that
 secures continued carriage of CBS, UPN, BET, and several MTV Networks
 channels, including, MTV, Nickelodeon, VH1, TV Land, Comedy Central, Spike TV,
 CMT, Noggin, BET, MTV2, VH1 Classic, Nicktoons, and MTV Espanol, to DIRECTV
 subscribers nationwide and local carriage to DIRECTV subscribers of CBS and
 UPN O&O broadcast stations.  The deal also provides DIRECTV with the necessary
 rights to launch CBS' industry leading HDTV programming on a "local into
 local" basis.
     Effective June 30, DIRECTV began carrying LOGO on channel 263 as part of
 its TOTAL CHOICE(R) PLUS package.  DIRECTV also launched MTV Desi on July 12
 as part of its HindiDirect(TM) programming package.
     "We are thrilled once again to partner with DIRECTV and continue to
 deliver their customers the incredible quality and diversity they expect from
 MTV Networks channels," said Nicole Browning, President, Affiliate Sales and
 Marketing, MTV Networks. "Through our agreement with DIRECTV, even more
 consumers will be 'super-served' with content created just for them and they
 will be able to experience our unique brands and networks."
     "This broad-based agreement assures that CBS and UPN viewers in our O&O
 markets will continue to enjoy access to the programming they value from both
 networks via DIRECTV," said Martin D. Franks, Executive Vice President, CBS.
 "Additionally, as co-pioneers in the world of HDTV, we and DIRECTV will now
 work together over time to bring our viewers "local into local" HD.  This is
 truly a mutually beneficial agreement for the audiences we share."
     "Viacom has been a long-time, valued partner of DIRECTV and consistently
 delivers a high-quality, robust programming lineup that our customers enjoy,"
 said Dan Fawcett, Executive Vice President, Programming Acquisitions. "This
 agreement enables DIRECTV to provide our customers with the excellence they
 have come to expect from us and to continue delivering the best television
 experience available."
 
     About DIRECTV:
     DIRECTV is the nation's leading and fastest-growing digital multichannel
 television service provider with more than 14.4 million customers. DIRECTV and
 the Cyclone Design logo are registered trademarks of DIRECTV, Inc. (NYSE:  
 DTV). DIRECTV is a world-leading provider of digital multi-channel television
 entertainment. DIRECTV is approximately 34 percent owned by News Corporation.
 For more information visit http://www.directv.com.
 
     Viacom is a leading global media company, with preeminent positions in
 broadcast and cable television, radio, outdoor advertising, and online. With
 programming that appeals to audiences in every demographic category across
 virtually all media, the company is a leader in the creation, promotion, and
 distribution of entertainment, news, sports, music, and comedy. Viacom's well-
 known brands include CBS, MTV, Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite, VH1, BET, Paramount
 Pictures, Infinity Broadcasting, Viacom Outdoor, UPN, TV Land, Comedy Central,
 CMT: Country Music Television, Spike TV, Showtime, Blockbuster, and Simon &
 Schuster. More information about Viacom and its businesses is available at
 http://www.viacom.com.
 
 

SOURCE  MTV Networks