Latest from Next TV in Mtv2

MTV2 Ads Summon Up ‘Non-Stop Summer’

thomas.umstead@futurenet.com (R. Thomas Umstead) — Mon, 18 May 2015 12:00:00 +0000

Over the past 20 months, MTV2’s original content has quietly generated ratings gains among the fickle and hard to find audience aged 12 to 34. This week, the Viacom outlet is ready to make some noise about that performance.

Beginning May 20, MTV2 will unveil new image spots touting that appeal to young viewers, featuring stars of several top-rated series, in hopes of continuing growth with an audience thought to be abandoning traditional TV for the Web and other alternative distribution outlets, general manager Chris McCarthy said.

MTV2, which turns 20 this August, has posted seven eight quarters of ratings growth within that core 12-34 audience through shows targeting primarily male viewers, including Guy Code, Wild ’N Out and MTV2’s Joking Off. The network is coming off a record 2014 ratings year within the 12-34 demo and is already up 13% over last year's mark thus far in 2015.

“Our goal is to create an aggressively laid back yet fun environment that’s very personality-driven, provocative and extremely communal,” McCarthy said.

“Non-Stop Summer” spots will feature such personalities as Wild ’N Out host Nick Cannon and radio jock Charlamagne , touting new shows coming this summer and the network’s appeal to its target audience.

On the docket this summer are new shows Uncommon Sense With Charlamagne Tha God, premiering July 10 and starring the nationally syndicated radio host in a half-hour comedy talk show; Kingin’ With Tyga, debuting July 10 which follows the life of the hip hop recording artist; and Not Exactly News, launching June 17 which turns Internet happenings into funny news stories.

There is plenty of competition for millennial viewers from veteran basic- cable networks such as ABC Family, Adult Swim and sister service MTV, and from newer outlets including Pivot and Revolt. But McCarthy says its current and new slate of originals will keep millennials tuning in. He also pointed to the Web as a major competitor given the fact that younger viewers increasingly are watching video on their phones and tablets.

“We want to make our content incredibly funny and shareable so it works on all mobile and social platforms, but also bring those guys back to the screen,” McCarthy said.

Kevin Hart, Zendaya to Appear on 'Wild 'N' Out'

thomas.umstead@futurenet.com (R. Thomas Umstead) — Thu, 30 Apr 2015 13:30:00 +0000

Kevin Hart, Snoop Dog and Zendaya will lead a list of celebrities set to appear on the new season of MTV2’s Nick Cannon Presents: Wild ‘N’ Out, the network announced Thursday.

The seventh season of the comedy improv/competition series will debut June 10 with two episodes, said MTV2. Along with the aforementioned celebrities, the list of guests and performers scheduled to appear during the new season include Jordin Sparks, Ne-Yo, Shaquille O'Neal, Fabolous, Pete Wentz, Fetty Wap, T-Pain, A$AP Ferg, Nick Young, French Montana, Fat Joe, Rae Sremmurd, Ty Dolla $ign, Migos, Mack Wilds, DJ Drama, Ray J, Lil Duval, O.T. Genasis, Tommy “Tiny” Lister, Dej Loaf, K Camp and the hosts of Power 105’s The Breakfast Club, said the network.

In celebration of its 10th anniversary, Wild N Out will launch #BestofWNO, a social voting competition across several platforms to determine fans’ favorite moments from the first six seasons of the show, said the network.

Viacom Names McCarthy Logo GM

Mike Reynolds — Wed, 15 Oct 2014 11:30:00 +0000

Chris McCarthy is expanding his purview at Viacom.

MTV executive vice president Chris McCarthy, who will continue his roles as general manager of MTV2 and mtvu, has been officially named named general manager of Logo TV. McCarthy had been heading the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender-targeted service since Lisa Sherman exited last October. Sherman was recently named president of the Ad Council.

McCarthy has worked alongside MTV president Stephen Friedman as interim general manager since Logo TV became aligned with MTV in late 2013.

To date, 2014 has been the highest-rated and most-watched in Logo TV’s history, up nearly 20% versus 2013 and has registered double-digit growth across all digital properties, according to network officials.

The channel continues to launch a new slate of original programming, specials and tentpoles, which began rolling out with Trailblazers, a new TV special honoring LGBT pioneers, Secret Guide to Fabulous from executive producers Kelly Ripa and Mark Conseulos’ Milojo Productions and the upcoming documentary Laverne Cox Presents: The T Word, premiering Oct. 17.

“Chris has helped guide our channels to ratings and creative highs,” Friedman said. “With MTV2, he demonstrated how he can lead a network to capture the imagination of a hard to reach young, male demographic. His insight, creativity and business acumen have made an indelible impact, and I'm thrilled to partner with him to drive the next chapter in Logo TV’s evolution.”

McCarthy was named executive vice president of MTV in 2013. He has been general manager of MTV2 and mtvU since 2010.