MTV New Zealand was a 24-hour general television entertainment channel operated by MTV Networks International. The channel launched on 18 August 2006. MTV New Zealand was replaced with MTV Australia on 30 November 2010 while still retaining localised advertising and website for New Zealand. As of November 2011, MTV.co.nz redirects viewers to MTV.com.au.
Closure of New Zealand office
From its launch MTV New Zealand employed 23 people at its headquarters in Auckland.
It was confirmed on 28 September 2010 that MTV Networks International would close its offices in Auckland and relocate MTV New Zealand to MTV Networks Australia & New Zealand's offices in Sydney, Australia. This came into effect as of 30 November 2010.
Programming and schedule
MTV broadcast flagship MTV programs were Punk'd, Pimp My Ride, and The Hills. Local MTV programs included Full Tank hosted by Amber Peebles and Jay Reeve, and 100% Pure NZ, a local music show dedicated to NZ music releases. MTV also broadcast a Top 10 "Countdown" nightly, although the Genre changed from one day to the next. On 6 July 2007 MTV launched its latest show "The Mix" which is hosted by Amber Peebles and Jay Reeve. Despite MTV marketing itself as 'Music Television', there were only 3–4 music shows show on MTV within each 24 hour day. Most of the programming was MTV created content that has little to do with music, however music videos are often shown between shows.
Programming blocks
MTV showed a variety of specialty programming blocks. This is a somewhat exhaustive list:
Dumb-ass Tuesday - comedy shows like Punk'd, Jackass, Wildboyz, and Dirty Sanchez, some shows can be seen in groups of 2 episodes. Runs from 8pm to midnight on Tuesdays.
Nu-shite - if you missed something new during the week or want to see it again, this is where you go. Runs from 4pm to 8pm on Saturdays.
The 10-spot - 10pm every weeknight.
Monday Night's a B*tch - shows like Laguna Beach, My Super Sweet 16, and The Hills can be seen here. Runs from 8pm to midnight on Mondays.
Lowrider Thursday - Car shows like Pimp My Ride, Road Rules, and Trick It Out dominate. Runs from 8pm to midnight on Thursdays.
Larry & Spud Sunday Roast - Programs strategically placed for easy viewing. Runs from 8pm to midnight on Sunday nights.
Wacked Out Wednesdays - programs such as Room 401, Fist of Zen, and Scarred are broadcast during this programming block on Wednesdays.
Slip Slop Slapper Sundays - Programs repeated twice running from 6pm-11pm. Shows such as Maui Fever, The Hills, Living Lahaina and A Shot At Love with Tila Tequila.
Sweatin' Beats - Music videos played from 3am-5am for partiers. Usually techno or dance songs are played.
A themed marathon ran every weekend, from 10am-3pm on Saturday and 1pm-8pm on Sunday. The theme changed every week.
Former VJs
Amber Peebles
Jay Reeve
Sam Kelway
History
Between June 1997 to June 1998, MTV was operated in New Zealand as a free to air channel by TVNZ using content from UK version of MTV. It controversially replaced Auckland's Free-to-Air music TV channel Max TV and Christchurch's Cry TV, and was only broadcast in Auckland, Wellington, Tauranga, Hamilton, Christchurch and Dunedin.
The website officially launched in July 2006 and only showed a promo for the channel, a form to win tickets to the 2006 VMAs, VJ search and launch party info.
The full site launched with the channel on 18 August 2006 and includes a home page with MTV New Zealand promos and when you enter the site it contains news, features, competitions, interactive forums, a page on MTV Full Tank and more.
A redesigned website was launched on Monday, 29 May 2007. This redesign mirrors the recently launched MTV Australia website and utilises a different key colour to differentiate it.
