ViacomCBS Networks Northern Europe is a regional division of ViacomCBS Networks EMEAA. Its main headquarters are in London and Warsaw, while its regional offices are located in Amsterdam and Stockholm. It serves the Netherlands, Belgium, Nordic countries, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Republic of Macedonia, Romania, Poland, Ukraine, and Russia. ViacomCBS Networks International UK, Northern and Eastern Europe also operates content for MTV's global community and an array of digital branded MTV channels including MTV Music, MTV Hits, MTV Base in UK & Europe, MTV OMG in UK and MTV Brand New in Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands. In 2011, ViacomCBS Networks International UK, Northern and Eastern Europe realigned its operations with music content being produced in London, Warsaw and Stockholm, kids and family programming produced in London, Berlin and Warsaw and localized comedy content being centralised to Amsterdam, London and Warsaw. Amsterdam acts as the technical play-out hub for the majority of Europe with exception to channels in Poland and the UK.
ViacomCBS Networks Southern Europe, Middle East, and Africa
ViacomCBS Networks Southern Europe, Middle East, and Africa is a regional division of ViacomCBS Networks EMEAA. Its operates from London, Warsaw, and Amsterdam, while regional offices are located in Paris, Madrid, Lisbon, Johannesburg and Milan. The selection of multimedia brands offered by this division varies depending on the country or region.
ViacomCBS Networks Italia
In February 2011, Viacom set up Viacom International Media Networks Italia to purchase a 30% share of the Rainbow S.r.l. animation studio for 62 million euros. The purchase was called "the most significant transaction " of the year by the :it:Fondazione ente dello spettacolo|Fondazione Ente dello Spettacolo. Viacom originally sought to buy out the entire studio, but eventually decided to keep its founder Iginio Straffi at the helm and left him 70% of the studio. As a result of the purchase, Viacom's Nickelodeon networks broadcast Rainbow's shows worldwide. Viacom Italia has also coordinated co-productions between Nickelodeon's American studios and Rainbow, including Winx Club since 2010 and Club 57 in 2019.
MTV in EMEAA
On 1 August 1987, Viacom formed a joint venture with BT and Robert Maxwell, and created the first MTV channel in Europe. The channel was based in Amsterdam upon launch before relocating to London. From 1997, MTV Networks Europe established its regionalisation strategy launching localised channels across many European countries/regions. This is a list of regional MTV channels still operating in Europe, West Asia, Africa, in order of launch:
Upon its launch in Europe in the late 1980s, MTV Europe made use of MTV US's on-air identity. Overtime, MTV Europe gradually produced its own on-air identity throughout the 1990s. From 1997, MTV's regionalization throughout Europe brought about specialized on-air identity which reflected the tastes and influences from each region. As part of a global rebranding strategy, MTV Networks International decided to produce a new on-air identity that would air on all MTV channels around the world. On 1 July 2009 all 64 MTV channels globally began to share the same on-air branding. This branding made use of a standardised logo, idents and promos. The on-air branding initiative was called Pop X1000 reflecting the changing nature of popular culture with MTV at the heart of these rapid changes. The branding was designed by MTV's design department World Design Studio in Milan, with additional designs added by other global departments throughout the year. The branding was overseen by Universal Everything. This branding was adopted by MTV Networks Europe, MTV Networks Asia, MTV Networks Africa and MTV Networks Latin America. As part of MTV's rebrand awareness campaign MTV teamed up with Spanish retailer ZARA in December 2009 to provide branded themed T-shirts and hoodies representing the "Pop X 1000%" campaign. On 8 November 2010 MTV launched its third phase of idents. In 2010, MTV US rebranded its entire network of channels producing a revised version of the traditional MTV logo. It was decided that MTV Networks International channels would adopt this logo at a later date. On 1 July 2011 MTV Networks Europe will rebrand its network across Europe and globally. MTV's will replace its traditional logo the MTV:Music Television logo to be replaced by the current MTV US logo. On 30 June 2011 MTV's localized websites throughout Europe began to use the new branding. As part of a new strategy MTV Networks Europe will be part of Viacom Media International Networks. It is expected that MTV Networks Europe will be rebranded in the winter of 2011. In the fall of 2013, Viacom International Media Networks announced it would relaunch its MTV channels globally with a new on-air identity. This came into effect on 1 October 2013. On 25 June 2015, MTV International channels were rebranded with a new initiative to get more viewers involved with the channel. MTV launched MTVBump.com where viewers could upload short video clips which will air on MTV channels worldwide. MTV also launched MTV Art Breaks where creative viewers can create special MTV idents. MTV would also launch MTV Creative, another initiative to coincide with MTV Bump. However, MTV's rebrand still saw falling ratings. In early 2018, MTV Global began to roll out 'MTV Mood' identity on-air and online. The new look was first used by local MTV channels across Latin America. MTV Europe began using the new look at the end of 2017 along with MTV Germany, before rolling out across Europe in January/February 2018.
Websites
Since January 2010, MTV Networks Europe has started to rebrand its localized websites featuring a standard website for each region. The website design is similar for each region but has information, news and entertainment specific to each region. MTV Belgium, MTV Netherlands, MTV Switzerland, MTV Portugal, MTV Sweden and MTV Denmark were the first to receive the new look website layout and design. A new design and layout were released in late 2017 before rolling out across MTV globally in 2018. A new global design was launched in October 2019.
Broadcasting Agreements
ViacomCBS International Media Networks has utilized the broadcasting laws and regulation from both the United Kingdom and Poland to licence and secure broadcasting agreements across Europe, whilst maintaining EU regulation. In the past, the majority of MTV's channels were regulated by authorities based in the UK and Poland. However, due to the UK's impending exit from the European Union the company has relocated many of its broadcasting licenses from the UK to regulators based in the Czech Republic and the Netherlands. Following Brexit, all channels operating in the UK will remain under OFCOM, whilst all other channels operated by ViacomCBS International Media Networks for the rest of Europe will be regulated from Poland, Czech Republic and/or the Netherlands. Channels for Ireland, Hungary, Czech Republic and pan-European channels are regulated by RRTV in the Czech Republic. Channels for the Benelux region, the Nordic region, France, Poland, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Portugal are regulated by authorities in the Netherlands and the remaining channels will be regulated by authorities in the Czech Republic, the Netherlands and/or under a local arrangement with a relevant regulator.
VCNI local offices
VCNI Europe, Middle East, and Africa have multiple offices across these regions including London, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Berlin, Amsterdam, Rome, Lisbon, Paris, Madrid, Warsaw, Prague, Johannesburg and Sydney. VCNI's European headquarters are at VIMN Europe London HQ. The building at 17–29 Hawley Crescent, Camden Town, London NW1 8TT, UK, notably sports an exterior living wall. The wall spans over 300m² and hosts approximately 18,000 plants on two aspects: South and West. The wall provides a microenvironment for many species including the protected snail species Helix pomatia and occasional migratory birds.
Structural changes at ViacomCBS Europe
2009:
Following a successful launch in the Baltic region MTV ceased trading in the region in 2009 due to the economic downturn across Europe and the wider world.
2010:
On 4 November 2010 MTV Networks International offices in Amsterdam confirmed that from 1 January 2011 that TMF in the Netherlands broadcasting hours would be reduced until 15:00 each day. From 4 April 2011 TMF was gradually replaced by Kindernet and where the channel was only available online from the former TMF.nl website. On 1 September 2011 TMF in the Netherlands ceased broadcasting. TMF Nederland was the original channel before launching local channels in Belgium, UK and Australia. These local channels have been replaced with different channels. TMF's digital channels in the Netherlands TMF Live and TMF NL also ceased broadcasting. TMF Flanders in Belgium currently broadcasts as the only TMF channel.
2011:
On 16 September 2011 it was confirmed by Viacom International Media Networks its operations in the Nordic countries, Benelux region and Germany would operate under Viacom International Media Networks Northern Europe. VIMN Northern Europe operates from its central offices in Amsterdam, Stockholm and Berlin. Resulting in job losses at its offices from MTV Networks Benelux in Belgium and the Netherlands. The re-alignment will see all music programming come from its operations in Stockholm. Its Swedish offices operate local channels such as MTV and VH1 within VIMN Northern European's portfolio of music channels. All kids and family programming operates from Berlin these include localized versions of Nickelodeon, Nick Jr. and Kindernet. Whilst all the localized Comedy Central channels will be operated from Amsterdam. VIMN North European's portfolio includes the following territories: Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Finland, Sweden, Norway and Denmark. MTV's Amsterdam offices will remain open and will act as the technical play-out hub for the channels.
2012:
In December 2012, both Viacom International Media Networks and ProfMedia announced the closure of MTV Russia. Prof Media who purchased MTV Russia from VIMN in 2007, claimed the MTV brand is no-longer relevant in the territory and will be replaced by a more youth orientated general entertainment brand called 'Friday' on 1 June 2013. MTV Russia is one of the most widely distributed channels in the Russian Federation and was previously rated the most watched channel in the territory. Today, the channel has been relegated to the Top 20 channels in Russia. VIMN stated its commitment to the region stating its other MTV channels and brands such as VH1, Nickelodeon and the newly localized Comedy Central will continue to broadcast across Russia on cable and digital television providers. It has also been stated in some reports that MTV as a brand is in crisis in other Eastern European territories with falling ratings for MTV Poland and other local MTV channels in Central Eastern Europe. This is an ongoing trend for MTV globally. It was reported in the fall of 2012 that MTV US and its other channels had seen a fall in revenue and audience figures. There is competition from on-demand music websites, and MTV's transformation from music oriented television to youth oriented reality and scripted reality shows has failed to ignite the brand. On 31 May 2013 MTV Ukraine ceased broadcasting due to falling ratings.
2013
On 3 July 2013 Viacom International Media Networks launched a localized version of MTV Base in South Africa. MTV South-Africa is an opt-out feed of the same channel with selected unique programming targeting South Africa. On 5 July 2013 VIMN announced it has purchased 51% of MTV Italy the channel was previously a joint-venture largely owned by Telecom Italia Media and VIMN. The ownership conditions have changed which means VIMN holds a larger share of the channel. On 12 September 2013 VIMN Europe announced it has gained 100% ownership of MTV Italia and associated channels from Telecom Italia. Following the merger of MTV Networks New Zealand and MTV Networks Australia operations into one network based in Sydney in 2010, MTV and its sister brand Comedy Central were placed under VIMN's – Viacom International Media Networks UK, Ireland, Australia, Central Eastern Europe and International Content Distribution. On 11 October 2013, VIMN's Sydney operations announced it would downsize. From year end all broadcasting is to be relocated to VIMN in London. VIMN's Sydney advertising department and Nickelodeon Australia and New Zealand will not be affected by this move.
2014
From January 2014, MTV Czech Republic & Slovakia will came under full ownership of VIMN Europe. Following a decision by the current operator CME to hand back the licence to VIMN. The channel was replaced by MTV Europe January 2014, with the possibility of the channel relaunching. Similarly, MTV Hungary ceased broadcasting on 31 December 2013. In early 2014, Czech TV regular issued MTV Hungary a new licence but this was handed back on 8 January 2014. On 1 August 2015 in Italy MTV Italia was sold to Sky Italia. In 2013 Viacom took full control of the channel after Telecom Italia Media sold its 51% share. At the same time Viacom launched on the platform of Sky, the new channel MTV Next. Viacom continues to broadcast in Italy through DTT the free-channel MTV Music and remains active with Comedy Central, Nickelodeon and Nick Jr. through the platform of Sky Italia. MTV Classic Italia and MTV Hits Italia have been closed down on 1 August. On 17 November 2015 the French versions of MTV Base, MTV Pulse and MTV Idol are closed and a French versions of MTV Hits and BET are launched. The European version of MTV Hits ceased broadcasting in France, Belgium and Switzerland and MTV Rocks ceased broadcasting in Switzerland and CanalSat. On Numericable, VH1 and VH1 Classic returns and MTV Dance is launched.
2016
On 10 January 2016 VIMN shutdown its Greek MTV channel due to a turndown in advertising and competition from MAD TV, the channel was replaced by MTV Europe. VIMN Europe confirmed its closure on 6 January 2016. This does not affect the Greek Nickelodeon service.
2017–2020:
In the fall of 2017, VIMN closed plans to close VIVA channels in Hungary, Poland, Ireland and the UK. VIMN Germany, Austria and Switzerland confirmed it would reduce the broadcasting hours of the German-speaking VIVA replacing it with an extended version of Comedy Central Germany. By the spring of 2018, VIMN Germany confirmed it would close VIVA in Germany, Austria and Switzerland in January 2019, replacing it with a 24-hour Comedy Central Germany. meanwhile in the UK Nickelodeon, Nick Jr Too and Nicktoons will go 24/7 in 1 January 2019 the same day as the closure of VIVA. MTV Romania shuts down in late February 2019, replaced by MTV Europe.
Core brands
VIMN has many key brands that are available across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Some brands are specific to different territories. Pan-European brands:
