MTV Networks UK & Ireland, owned by Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B), today announced that One Leicester Square, its weekly music and showbiz chat show presented by Russell Brand, will end in December. The last show will be a New Year’s Eve Special.
“Following the success of series including Totally Boyband, Virgin Diaries and Pimp My Ride, MTV will now focus on producing both short form content around music programming and long-form entertainment series,” said Michael Barry, SVP, Music, MTV Networks UK & Ireland. “It is always a difficult decision to end any show but Russell and the team have done a fantastic job and everyone at MTV is very proud that we were the first company to recognise his unique and exuberant talents.”
Launched in April 2006, Russell Brand has played host to a series of stars from the worlds of music and movies including Uma Thurman, Noel Gallagher, Christina Aguilera, Rupert Everett, The Streets, Lilly Allen, The Kooks as well as securing Tom Cruise’s only UK TV interview for the launch of MI: 3.
MTV will continue to showcase the best live music on MTV and VH1's 'Lives' and MTV2's Gonzo as well as championing new emerging talent through Spanking New Music Week.
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About MTV Networks UK & Ireland:
MTV Networks UK & Ireland operates 3 channel groups – Comedy, Kids and Music.
Our 9 branded music channels comprise of MTV, VH1, MTV Hits, MTV Base, MTV Dance, MTV2, MTV Flux, VH1 Classic and TMF. They feature the best in music alongside popular shows such as Pimp My Ride, Punk'd, My Super Sweet Sixteen and Cribs and are reaching larger audiences than at any time in UK history, with an average of over 17 million viewers each month according to BARB research.
The award winning Paramount Comedy stable includes 3 channels. Paramount Comedy 1
(and +1) featuring top shows including South Park, Lee Evans & Two And A Half Men. Paramount Comedy 2 showcases best-loved comedy through the years like MASH and Drop the Dead Donkey plus a variety of films. 2006 has seen Paramount awarded Best Entertainment Channel and Best Channel Marketing at the Broadcast Digital Channel Awards while 16-34 ratings are up 73% y-on-y and daytime ratings over 130%.
Nickelodeon, the UK’s leading children’s television network operates 5 channels. Nickelodeon (and Nick Replay), with top shows including Drake & Josh, Genie in the House, Zoey 101. Nicktoons, the animation channel with top shows Spongebob Squarepants, Fairly Odd Parents and Jimmy Neutron and Nick Jr (plus Nick Jr 2) with top shows Lazytown, Fifi & The Flowertots, Dora the Explorer and Go Diego Go.
Paramount and Nickelodeon in the UK are part of the MTV Networks International portfolio of channels through joint ventures with BSKYB.
In addition, MTV Networks is a pioneer in the new and exciting world of digital media, winning awards for its interactive and online services, as well as being the first media company to offer made-for-mobile 3G video content. Since 2005 MTV Networks UK & Ireland has offered mobile distribution of four TV channels (MTV Snax, MTV Trax, Paramount and Nickelodeon), as well as on-demand, broadband services MTV Overdrive and TurboNick plus MTV Flux, a brand new social network community stretching across online mobile and television.
MTV Networks is the largest television network in the world and a leading creator of programming and content across all media platforms, with 111 channels and 94 websites reaching more than 440 million households in 167 countries worldwide.
