Friday, May 31, 2013

Viacom International Media Networks Carriage Deal Shakes Up Virgin Media EPG

The television industry news website Broadcast is reporting the Viacom news in the following article that Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) has struck a wide-ranging carriage renewal with the UK cable operator Virgin Media. As part of the deal, a raft of VIMN channels, including MTV UK and Comedy Central UK, move to improved slots on the pay-TV services EPG (electronic program guide).

MTV has moved from 311 to 134 on Virgin's platform, out of the music section of the EPG. The move comes more than two years after Sky rejigged its EPG, when the "Geordie Shore" broadcaster jumped more than 200 places and was reclassified as a general entertainment channel.

Comedy Central HD moves up nearly 50 places from 181 to 133, while VH1 has gone from 320 to 316. Viacom's MTV Rocks, MTV Dance, MTV Base, MTV Hits and MTV Live HD channels have also all received slightly better positions on the Virgin Media EPG. However, Viva has lost four places, moving from 313 to 317.

Nickelodeon UK's bouquet of dedicated entertainment channels for kids remain in their current channel positions on Virgin Media:
Viacom carriage deal shakes up Virgin EPG

MTV has cemented its place as a general entertainment channel on the Virgin Media platform after its parent company struck a wide-ranging carriage renewal with the cable operator.

Viacom International Media Networks has struck the deal, which will also see channels including Comedy Central, VH1 move to improved slots on the pay-TV service.

MTV has moved from 311 to 134 on Virgin’s platform, out of the music secion of the EPG. The move comes more than two years after Sky rejigged its EPG, when the Geordie Shore broadcaster jumped more than 200 places and was reclassified as a general entertainment channel.

Comedy Central HD moves up nearly 50 places from 181 to 133, while VH1 has gone from 320 to 316. Viacom’s MTV Rocks, MTV Dance, MTV Base, MTV Hits and MTV Live HD channels also all received slightly better positions.

However, the company’s Viva channel lost four places, moving from 313 to 317.
Slot Changes:

- MTV moves from 311 to 134

- Comedy Central +1 moves from 134 to 133
- Comedy Central HD moves from 133 to 181
- Comedy Central Extra moves from 185 to 182

- VH1 moves from 320 to 316
- Viva moves from 313 to 317

- MTV Live HD moved from 310 to 311
- MTV Hits moved from 317 to 312
- MTV Base moved from 315 to 313
- MTV Dance moved from 319 to 314
- MTV Rocks moved from 325 to 315