Ricky Martin To Record The Next Edition Of MTV Unplugged Series

MTV Latin America in collaboration with MTV Tr3s will produce "MTV Unplugged: Ricky Martin" in Miami in August 2006

Special Will Premiere on MTV Latin America, MTV Tr3s, MTV Puerto Rico and Will be Made Available to More Than 100 MTV Channels Worldwide

MIAMI, FL JULY 11, 2006�MTV Latin America announced today that Sony/BMG superstar Ricky Martin will tape the next edition of its MTV Unplugged franchise, which will be produced by MTV Latin America in collaboration with MTV Tr3s. This marks the 19th MTV Unplugged show for MTV Latin America, and the first production for MTV�s recently announced MTV Tr3s for the U.S. Latin market. MTV Unplugged: Ricky Martin will tape in Miami in August 2006 and it will debut on MTV Latin America, MTV Tr3s and MTV Puerto Rico in November 2006.

The special will be made available to air on more than 100 MTV channels around the world, as well as select broadcast networks. The show will also be released on CD and DVD and will be distributed worldwide in November 2006 by Sony BMG. In addition, the production will include new media components to be announced shortly.

MTV Unplugged: Ricky Martin will provide an acoustic platform for Martin to rediscover his music and perform both new songs and bonafide hits in an intimate setting before a live audience. Martin's music will be tailored for the unplugged setting with the use of strings, horns and percussion in order to provide memorable musical moments.

"Ricky Martin is without question one of the most successful Latin artists in the world," commented Jose Tillan, Senior Vice President of music programming and talent strategy for MTV Networks Latin America and MTV Tr3s in the US. "We will work closely with Ricky in developing a musical platform where his music is showcased in a very different light from his previous work. He is looking forward to taking musical chances by mixing genres and cultures, which are great ingredients for a successful show. I think we will have a great time working together in making a show that will speak to audiences all over the world," added Tillan.

"Creating music that reaches millions of people through the magic of TV is an extraordinary opportunity. That is why this project with MTV Latin America is of interest to me and we�re working on giving them a truly spectacular musical event that will showcase our music and the unique energy to every corner of the globe especially the Latin communities." commented Ricky Martin.

"Simply put, this is the right project for the right artist at the right time. We very much look forward to showcasing Ricky�s depth as a performer and a creative force through the unique, worldwide brand that is MTV Unplugged. We have already had a lot of fun with Ricky, Jose and the production team in our initial meetings. And the best is yet to come!" commented Kevin Lawrie, President of Sony/BMG Latin.

Singer/songwriter and Latin pop icon Ricky Martin returns to the MTV stage fresh off the release of his 2005 album, "Life," which encompasses his most eclectic cross-cultural collection to-date. The first single �I Don�t Care� was produced by Scott Storch, pop music�s hottest producer, and has quickly become a favorite among critics and the MTV audience. "Life" topped the charts with its reggaeton-infused "Drop it on Me" and heavy-hitting collaborators Daddy Yankee, Fat Joe, Voltio, Amerie and Taboo of the Black Eyed Peas. Ricky�s crossover success embarked with his self-titled album in 1999, which tallied over 17 million copies worldwide and registered seven-time platinum in the US. His hit single, "La Copa de la Vida," became the official song of the World Cup France '98 and "Livin La Vida Loca" became the #1 single in five international markets including the US, UK, Canada, New Zealand, and Ireland. Martin�s slew of awards includes Grammys (Both International and Latin), Latin Billboards, a �Lifetime Achievement Award� from Premio Lo Nuestro, MTV Video Music Awards; and numerous MTV Viewer�s Choice Awards in Latin America and Russia. To date, Martin has sold more than 50 million albums worldwide.

Charlie Singer, Executive VP of Programming, Creative and Marketing Strategy, MTV Networks Latin America will executive produce the show. Jos� Till�n, Senior Vice President of Music and Artist Relations, MTV Networks Latin America and MTV Tr3s will co-produce and supervise the musical content of the show. Manny Rodriguez (�Alejandro Sanz MTV Unplugged,� �La Ley MTV Unplugged�) will serve as director of the show.

MTV Latin America�s MTV Unplugged concert series includes 18 productions that have prompted recognition from several industry giants. The Alejandro Sanz MTV Unplugged won three 2002 Latin Grammys for "Album of the Year", "Record of the Year", and "Song of the Year". Mexican band Man� received a Latin Grammy in the "Best Pop Group or Duo" category for their 2000 Unplugged. In 2002, Colombian sensation Shakira garnered a Grammy and two Latin Grammys for her MTV Unplugged album and most recently, Diego Torres quadrupled sales in the US and received a "Best Latin Pop Album" Grammy nomination for his MTV Unplugged compilation as well.

The MTV Unplugged series creates a space where artists can reinvent their music and perform new and well-known songs in an intimate, acoustic setting before a live audience. The series premiered on MTV U.S. in 1989 with the British rock band Squeeze, while MTV Latin America produced its first episode with Argentine band Fabulosos Cadillacs. To date, MTV has produced more than 100 MTV Unpluggeds, 18 of which have been produced by MTV Latin America.

MTV Networks Latin America, Inc., a unit of Viacom Inc., owns and operates MTV Latin America, Nickelodeon Latin America, VH1 Latin America, Viacom Networks Brazil, which operates Nickelodeon and Vh1 in Brazil, and the MTV Networks Digital Suite, a package of five digital services - MTV Jams, MTV Hits, VH1 Soul, VH1 Mega Hits and Nickelodeon�s GAS (Games and Sports for Kids).

MTV Tr3s is the next step in MTV: Music Television�s commitment to super-serve youth audiences in next generation markets. The newly launched network will be an entertainment destination rooted in the fusion of American and Latin music and cultures through high-quality programming that showcases the biggest names and hits in pop, urban and rock. Debuting 3Q 2006, MTV Tr3s will include lifestyle series, customized MTV music franchises and news documentaries that celebrate U.S. Latinos, their culture, music and artists.