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Wednesday, February 28, 2007

Viacom's MTV Networks and BET Networks Implement New Structure for Linear and Multiplatform Content Distribution

Viacom's MTV Networks and BET Networks Implement New Structure for Linear and Multiplatform Content Distribution

Affiliate Sales/Marketing to Be Re-Branded as Content Distribution and Marketing; Department Moves to Account-Focused Structure Under New Leadership of Executive Vice President Denise Dahldorf

NEW YORK, Feb. 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- MTV Networks (MTVN) and BET Networks (BETN), units of Viacom (NYSE:VIA)(NYSE:VIA.B), today announced a new structure and business strategy for their Affiliate Sales and Marketing group, under the leadership of that department's newly appointed Executive Vice President, Denise Dahldorf. The group will be re-branded Content Distribution and Marketing, MTVN and BETN, and will implement an account-focused structure to model and best serve the evolving needs and direction of the company's distribution partners.

"We're content creators, and we want our world class content available to as many people, on as many platforms as possible," said Judy McGrath, Chairman and CEO, MTVN. "The name 'Content Distribution and Marketing' conveys the full multiplatform scope of our distribution efforts, and opportunities we mine not only on linear television, but across online portals, wireless, VOD, download-to-own and other emerging platforms."

McGrath continued, "Under Denise's leadership, our new account-focused structure for Content Distribution and Marketing positions us to meet the needs of our distribution partners across all platforms, and to ensure that our content is available in every home, on every screen."

"We are extremely excited about working with Denise and the team she has put in place," said Debra Lee, Chairman and CEO, BET Networks. "She is an exceptional dealmaker, and she understands the power and relevance of the brands in BET Networks' portfolio."

MTV Networks currently has agreements in place with all the major cable and satellite distributors, giving the company an industry-leading 25% share of the domestic cable market, according to Nielsen. The company is fully distributed in free video-on-demand enabled households, offering 100 content hours across VOD channels from brands including MTV, VH1, COMEDY CENTRAL, CMT, Nickelodeon, and Logo. MTVN continues to partner with cable operators on interactive television applications, and rollout new products across all platforms, including the high definition network MHD, exclusive broadband products such as Nick Arcade and MyNoggin.com, and URGE Radio.

New Leadership

In her role as Executive Vice President of Content Distribution and Marketing, Dahldorf oversees all distribution activities for MTVN and BET Networks, working to strategically secure and maintain distribution for channels including MTV: Music Television, MTV 2, MTV Tr3s, VH1, VH1 Soul, VH1 Classic, Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite, Spike TV, COMEDY CENTRAL, Logo, TV Land, Noggin, The N, CMT; and BETN's BET, BET Gospel, BET J, and BET Hip Hop. She reports to MTVN's acting COO, Rich Eigendorff.

Prior to this position, Dahldorf served as Senior Vice President, Cable Sales, Distribution and National Accounts, for MTVN. In that role, she was responsible for sales, marketing and contract negotiations for all cable affiliates. She also oversaw the domestic distribution and marketing of 29 video networks and broadband services URGE.com and MyNoggin.com. Dahldorf joined MTV Networks in 1994 as Director, Affiliate Services.

"The goal for our new structure is to more closely align ourselves with the varied distribution partners we serve," said Dahldorf. "We're moving from a regional model to an account-focused model, and we're elevating key personnel to offer the best service and solutions for our partners in television, portals, wireless, and every other available screen."

In line with this new account-focused structure for Content Distribution and Marketing, MTVN announced several promotions assigning responsibility for its cable and satellite content distribution accounts. Samantha Cooper, Meg Lowe and Courtney Menzel have all been promoted to the Senior Vice President level, responsible for leading MTVN's distribution efforts across all platforms, with all partners. All report to Dahldorf.

Also, Juliette Morris will assume leadership of the department's marketing arm, as Senior Vice President, Content Distribution Marketing, MTVN and BETN, reporting to Dahldorf. In this role, Morris will oversee all content distribution marketing and local ad sales for MTVN's and BET Networks' brands. She joined the company two years ago from HBO, where she was Vice President of Affiliate Marketing for HBO and Cinemax.

Additionally, Greg Clayman, Senior Vice President, MTVN Mobile Media; and Jason Witt, Senior Vice President, Online Distribution and Partnerships, MTVN Global Digital Media will continue to manage mobile partnerships and guide the company's portal deals, respectively. Clayman and Witt report to Mika Salmi, President, MTVN Global Digital Media, with a connection to Dahldorf.

MTVN also today announced a new organizational strategy for its Advertising Sales division, designed to enhance the company's client focus and foster further development of innovative marketing solutions. Under the new structure, MTVN will realign its channels into three demo-specific, strategic selling "clusters," to leverage the individual strength of its portfolio of multiplatform brands, while taking full advantage of the efficiencies achieved when working within specific demographics and audience behaviors. The clusters are joined by specialized units within the Ad Sales division, including Digital Advertising Sales, and the new MTVN Brand Solutions and MTVN Generator units, which focus on client partnerships spanning MTVN's brands, and new business opportunities, respectively.

About BET Networks, MTV Networks and Viacom

BET Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom, Inc. (NYSE:VIA)(NYSE:and)(NYSE:VIA.B), is the leading provider of media and entertainment for African Americans and consumers of Black culture on a global basis. The primary BET cable network reaches more than 84 million households and can be seen in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. BET Digital Networks -- BET J, BET Gospel, and BET Hip-Hop -- are brands that combine to serve a broader and more diverse audience than the core network. BET.com is the number one Internet destination for the target audiences. BET Mobile delivers music, gaming, and video content to the target audiences on wireless devices across virtually all service providers. BET Event Productions is a full-scale event management and production company with festivals and live events spanning the globe. BET International delivers BET content to the consumers of Black culture around the world. BET Networks inspires its audiences to make a difference in their lives and communities with a broad and impactful pro-social agenda. Touch BET; pro-social initiatives that help stop AIDS and obesity and shed light on the legendary contributions African Americans have made to this world includes Rap-It-Up, Speak Now, BET Foundation and A Healthy BET.

MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE:VIA)(NYSE:VIA.B), is one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. MTV Networks, with 135 channels worldwide, owns and operates the following television programming services -- MTV: MUSIC TELEVISION, MTV2, VH1, mtvU, NICKELODEON, NICK at NITE, COMEDY CENTRAL, TV LAND, SPIKE TV, CMT, NOGGIN/THE N, VH1 CLASSIC, LOGO, MTVN INTERNATIONAL and THE DIGITAL SUITE FROM MTV NETWORKS, a package of 13 digital services, all of these networks trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks connects with its audiences through its robust consumer products businesses and its more than 200 interactive properties worldwide, including online, broadband, wireless and interactive television services and also has licensing agreements, joint ventures, and syndication deals whereby all of its programming services can be seen worldwide.

Viacom is a leading global entertainment content company, with prominent and respected brands in focused demographics. Engaging its audiences through television, motion pictures and digital platforms, Viacom reaches its audiences wherever they consume content. Viacom's leading brands include the multiplatform properties of MTV Networks, including MTV, VH1, Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite, COMEDY CENTRAL, CMT: Country Music Television, Spike TV, TV Land, Logo and more than 135 networks around the world, as well as digital assets such as Neopets, Xfire and Atom Entertainment; BET Networks; Paramount Pictures; Paramount Home Entertainment; DreamWorks; and Famous Music. More information about Viacom and its businesses is available at http://www.viacom.com/.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: MTV Networks

CONTACT: Lauren Hurvitz, +1-212-846-8036, lauren.hurvitz@mtvstaff.com,
or David Bittler, +1-212-846-5263, david.bittler@mtvstaff.com, both of MTV
Networks

Web site: http://www.mtv.com/
http://www.viacom.com/

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