MTV, CMT AND VH1 TO LET MUSIC RING ON FIRST EVER "MUSIC INDEPENDENCE DAY" ON JULY 4th

Fans Have the Chance to Connect with and Show Support for Emerging Artists via MTV/VH1/CMT 's Artist Platform

New York, NY/Nashville, TN ( June 12, 2013) -- On the day that Americans are celebrating our country's independence with barbeque, fireworks, parties and music, MTV, CMT and VH1 for the first time will celebrate "Music Independence Day" on-air by combining forces to showcase artists across all three powerhouse brands. On July 4th, from 6am-6pm (ET/PT) on all three networks, MTV, CMT and VH1 will provide the ultimate party playlist for everyone to revel in, covering all genres from hip hop to bluegrass to EDM to cowpunk, exposing new artists, celebrating the superstars and offering a chance to directly support those who work so hard to play the music we love.

Emerging artists looking to build their base will have the chance to reach millions of new fans on the popular music TV networks, bringing their music to legions of new supporters through the Artist Platform, a music discovery site that powers MTV/CMT/VH1's network of 60 million passionate music fans online and 100M homes on-air. The Artist Platform lets fans connect with the stars they know and new artists they will love, and gives artists the power to claim or create their own page in a high-traffic environment that offers unparalleled opportunities for exposure on television networks and beyond. To participate in Music Independence Day, artists simply claim or create their page on the Artist Platform (artists.MTV.com, artists.CMT.com or artists.VH1.com), and opt in to "Music Independence Day." Those artists will have their music and videos considered for MTV, CMT and VH1. And whether they get the nod from the on-air channels or not, all the artists who are part of the day will be able to drive audiences to their pages via social networks and #MusicIndependenceDay, where they can invite listeners to purchase music, leave tips or otherwise show their support.

Fans can connect with artists they love and discover new favorites. They can watch and listen to artists' music and stories and check out exclusive performances and interviews from your favorite new bands. Like what you hear? Then show your support through buying music or leaving a "tip" through the Artist Platform Tip Jar.

"We want to let fans discover and really love up musicians, give a tip, buy them a beer or simply send a message of support," said Van Toffler, President of Viacom Music Group. "We have a history of introducing new artists, celebrating our audiences favorite established superstars and providing a forum for all to reveal their influences and the stories behind their music." He added, "So we're going to celebrate the music, let musicians get heard, promoted, and loved. That ain't all bad."

MTV, CMT and VH1 will each put their own spin in how the day of music is celebrated on-air. From Hip Hop, Rock, Country, Pop, Blue Grass, Indie, EDM and more, the music brands will offer a variety of music to mark the day:

On MTV: MTV is celebrating the 4th with a block party of music hosted by artists that will feature eclectic genres while spotlighting independent artists that have emerged from Artists.MTV. From themed video hours to intimate performances to some of the bigger music moments throughout MTV history, Music Independence Day will be celebrated on MTV in its unique voice. It's a day when superstars reveal who on the horizon is catching their ears and emerging artists will share the spotlight with the big names.

On CMT: What's the fourth of July without barbeque? CMT hosts its annual "BBQ Week," culminating in the ultimate BBQ playlist on Music Independence Day. Guided by country music's biggest superstars, CMT will celebrate music without boundaries and showcase the best established, emerging and indie artists across the fringes of country music. From contemporary to bluegrass, roots and everything in between, CMT's ultimate playlist will include such favorites as The Avett Brothers and Punch Brothers, alongside Luke Bryan and Carrie Underwood. Check out the best in the genre, and watch as CMT reveals breakthrough acts discovered via artists via Artists.CMT

On VH1: Hosted by "VH1's Top 20 Video Countdown's" Jim Shearer, who will be based out of the City of Brotherly Love on July 4th. VH1 not only celebrates a day of music from 6am-6pm, but will feature the 2013 "Philly 4th of July Jam," from 8pm-11pm, LIVE from Philadelphia featuring performances from The Roots, John Mayer, Jill Scott, Demi Lovato and more. Leading up to the concert, VH1 will play videos and performances from the best summer jams to get everyone in the party mood. In addition, VH1 will premiere a new music series STOP/WATCH. On each STOP/WATCH a band or solo artist performs a complete song in sixty seconds flat. It's a great way for viewers to discover new artists and sample new music on TV, online or on a mobile device.

About MTV:

MTV is the world's premier youth entertainment brand. With a global reach of more than a half-billion households, MTV is the cultural home of the millennial generation, music fans and artists, and a pioneer in creating innovative programming for young people. MTV reflects and creates pop culture with its Emmy(R), Grammy(R) and Peabody(R) award-winning content built around compelling storytelling, music discovery and activism across TV, online and mobile. MTV's sibling networks MTV2 and mtvU each deliver unparalleled customized content for young males, music fans and college students, and its online hub MTV.com is a leading destination for music, news and pop culture. MTV is a unit of Viacom Inc. (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB), one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms.