MTV Networks' MHD: Music High-Definition Channel Kicks Into High Gear With New Programming and a New Name - Palladia

High-Definition Channel Boosts Original Programming With Premieres and Theme Weeks Including September's 'Outdoor Music Week' Featuring 10 Superstar Concert Telecasts

NEW YORK, Aug. 12 -- MTV Networks' elite high-definition music channel MHD is upping the ante for HD television viewers with a heavy influx of premier, high-definition music programming and a new name: Palladia.

Effective September 1, MHD will become Palladia, reflecting the state-of-the-art channel's rich and varied musical offerings to viewers eager for an immersive, high-definition home entertainment experience. The term Palladia conveys a sense of spectacle -- a grand stage, a vast arena and the excitement of live musical performances.

The Palladia name solidifies the channel's position as the premier music channel in the growing high-def universe. The channel's additional exclusive programming will also help distribution partners meet consumer demand for music in HD whether it's on a high-definition tier or on a VOD platform.

"It's a bigger, more distinct name for a channel that has grown in size as well as satisfaction among music HD fans," said Tom Calderone, Executive Vice President and General Manager of VH1 who also oversees Palladia. "We're also reinforcing that the channel is THE home for an increasingly broad range of musical styles and artists in high-def performances that can't be seen anywhere else. We believe these changes will help our distributor partners as they continue to sell HD and strive for the best content."

Palladia Boosts HD Music Offerings With More Premier Programming

As part of its evolution, the channel is also moving forward with a roster of additional programming exclusive to Palladia that reflects the expanding brand's wide array of music genres.

The channel will premiere a different concert every Saturday at 9:00 p.m.** In addition, Palladia is curating the finest collection of seminal rock movies ever in one place. These movies will air on Palladia every Thursday at 9:00 p.m.

Palladia will also employ themes around programming to heighten awareness about the channel and its offerings. The channel will kick off the first week of September with "Outdoor Music Week," a roster of outdoor music concerts including superstars such as Madonna, Usher, Dave Matthews Band, Eric Clapton, John Mayer, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, The Who, Green Day, Genesis, Jay-Z, Amy Winehouse, Foo Fighters, Kanye West, David Bowie, Snoop Dogg, Sugarland, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Dierks Bentley, Hank Williams Jr., Queen, Will Smith, and The Rolling Stones.

Monday, September 1:

"Glastonbury 2008," debuting at 9:00 p.m., is the U.S. television premiere of England's best-known and most anticipated music festivals. Headliners include a controversial performance by Jay-Z, as well as Amy Winehouse, KT Tunstall, Duffy, Panic At The Disco, Vampire Weekend, James Blunt, The Ting Tings and Kings of Leon.

Tuesday, September 2:

"Dave Matthews Band: Live From Piedmont Park" airs at 9:00 p.m., capturing the beloved band last September in Atlanta.

Wednesday, September 3

"Green Day: Bullet In A Bible" airs at 9:00 p.m. Special showcases the band supporting its biggest tour in its career, the Grammy-winning, quadruple-platinum, #1 charting "American Idiot" release. Based on two performances filmed in June 2005 before 65,000 fans at the Milton Keynes National Bowl in England.

"BBC RadioOne Highlights" premieres at 10:30 p.m. featuring the best performances from BBC Radio's outdoor concert series, including Madonna, Usher, Nelly, The Raconteurs, and OneRepublic.

Thursday, September 4

"Dave Chappelle's Block Party" premieres at 9:00 p.m. The gifted and elusive comedian presents a Brooklyn neighborhood with its very own once-in-a-lifetime free block party. In addition to Chappelle, the roster of artists includes Kanye West, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Common, Dead Prez, Erykah Badu, Jill Scott, the Roots, Cody ChesnuTT, Big Daddy Kane, and -- reunited for their first performance in over seven years -- the Fugees.

The seminal concert film "Monterey Pop" airs at 10:30 p.m. The documentary, telecast in HD for the first time ever, contains memorable performances by Jimi Hendrix, The Who and The Mamas & The Papas.

Friday, September 5

"Rothbury Music Festival 2008": Inaugural western Michigan festival held this past July with Dave Matthews Band, Snoop Dogg, John Mayer, Widespread Panic, Rodrigo & Gabriela and Primus. Premieres at 9:00 p.m.**

Saturday, September 6

"Isle of Wight 2008," shot live at the beautiful remote English location, features The Police, The Sex Pistols, Iggy and The Stooges, Kate Nash and N.E.R.D. and premieres at 9:00 p.m.

Sunday, September 7

"Duran Duran: Live At Wembley Stadium" airs at 9:00 p.m.

"Everest Rocks" airs at 10:00 p.m. with performances by members of such classic bands as The Alarm, Stray Cats and Squeeze from a breathtaking concert on Mount Everest.

Every month, Palladia will offer a special program collection celebrating a different aspect of HD music performance. In addition to September's "Outdoor Music Week," other planned packages include: "

Hip Hop Weekend" on October 4 and 5 with the channel premiere of "Usher: Live Evolution 8701" and encores of "Jay Z: Fade To Black," "Storytellers," starring Mary J. Blige and Snoop Dogg, "Soulstages" featuring The Roots, Wyclef Jean, Erykah Badu and Jill Scott, "Unplugged" with Keyshia Cole, "$2 Bill Presents" with Kanye West and Fat Joe, and "Life & Rhymes" with LL Cool J, Ludacris and 50 Cent.

"Classic Rock Movie Week" airs Monday, November 10 through Sunday, November 16 with first-time-ever HD telecasts of Led Zeppelin's "Song Remains The Same," "Pink Floyd: The Wall" and The Rolling Stones' "Let's Spend The Night Together" as well as channel premieres of "U2: Rattle and Hum" and "Tommy."

The "Best of 2008 Week" on Monday, December 22 through Sunday, December 28 will present the biggest MHD and Palladia premieres of the year as well as MTV Network programs such as MTV's VMAs 2008, VH1 Hip Hop Honors 2008 and CMT Music Awards 2008.

** All times ET/PT.

About Palladia

Palladia, MTV Networks' high-definition music channel, launched in January 2006 and features original music-based programming for a variety of music genres, including hip hop, rock, country, pop, reggaeton, soul and more, as well as HDTV acquisitions and original content from MTV Networks Music Group's MTV, VH1, and CMT family of services. The channel has grown to 12 million households and is available on major U.S. carriers including Comcast, Cox, Verizon FiOS, Time Warner, Dish, DIRECTV, Charter, AT&T u-Verse and Insight.

About MTV Networks

MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), is one of the world's leading creators of entertainment content, with brands that engage and connect diverse audiences across television, online, mobile, games, virtual worlds and consumer products. The company's portfolio spans more than 150 television channels and 350 digital media properties worldwide, and includes MTV, VH1, CMT, Logo, Harmonix, Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite, Noggin, The N, AddictingGames, Neopets, COMEDY CENTRAL, Spike TV, TV Land, Atom, Gametrailers and Xfire.