MTV Networks to launch international HD channel

By Kenneth Li

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Viacom's MTV Networks International will launch its first high definition cable channel outside the United States this month, with more in Europe and Latin America by the end of the year, as it tempers its growth plan with stricter cost controls.

The new channel, MTVNHD (MTV Networks High Definition), will make its debut on September 15 and will carry over 300 hours of new music and programming for kids.

Unlike MTV's earlier launches of networks, which were in local languages, MTVNHD will air shows in English initially.

It will first launch in Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Poland and Sweden.

Then France, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, the UK, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Venezuela will get the high definition programming by the end of 2008.

MTV Networks' ability to launch quickly in multiple regions -- albeit only in one language -- is derived from an experiment it started last year by consolidating production of some content in regional hubs that are used across several territories.

Its newest expansion is made possible by producing and broadcasting shows from Warsaw to cut down on costs.

A production centre in Buenos Aires is expected to do the same for Latin America.