flux

New Ad-Supported Service Combines Programming From MTV, Nickelodeon BET With Content From Music Companies, Animation Houses Film ProducersFLUX Members Enjoy Full Social Networking User Generated Video Capabilities for Free
Tokyo, Japan, 23 October 2006 - Viacom International Japan, a subsidiary of MTV Networks (MTVN), which is owned by Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B), today announced the launch of its groundbreaking, new FLUX video sharing site for broadband Internet users in Japan.

FLUX (http://www.myflux.jp) is a free, advertiser-supported next-generation entertainment service that combines popular video from leading Viacom brands such as MTV, Nickelodeon BET - Black Entertainment Television, with music videos, Japanese animations, movie previews and content created by users themselves.

Japan s 75 million Internet users can now watch pre-programmed channels on FLUX and access video-on-demand from a vast library of diverse content. As FLUX members, users can also create their own personal channels from the video library and watch channels created by other users.Judy McGrath, Chairman Chief Executive Officer of MTV Networks, commented, "FLUX revolutionizes the way audiences view and use video content - putting them in complete control.

This innovative service significantly expands MTVN's digital media presence in Japan, enabling us to deliver our leading MTV, Nickelodeon and BET content to audiences in new ways. Through our global network we are uniquely positioned to share FLUX innovations from Japan with more than 150 MTVN digital media properties worldwide."Tony Elison, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Digital Media at Viacom International Japan commented, FLUX presents an entirely new way of interacting with entertainment - it s 21st century television on the Web.

Placing the consumer at the center of the programming universe, FLUX offers endless opportunities for Japanese users to access the content they love, discover new entertainment and share their experiences with others. In addition to video created by users, FLUX features leading content from MTVN including: Nickelodeon s SpongeBob SquarePants; MTV s Europe Music Awards and Jackass; and local MTV Japan productions including Trainsurfer and Tempura, among others. Clips range from 3-10 minutes in length.

FLUX will continuously launch new programming to enrich the Japanese online entertainment landscape. This November, FLUX will bring content from Viacom-owned BET Networks to Japanese audiences, including excerpts from the 2006 BET Hip-Hop Awards. Says Debra L.

Lee, Chairman Chief Executive Officer, BET Networks, "Our mission is to provide high-quality entertainment to consumers of Black culture on a global basis. The launch of BET content on FLUX provides access to an enormous audience who has long displayed an appetite for hip hop culture. This partnership allows BET a chance to reassert our global brand presence while super-serving this passionate audience like never before.

"Also next month, the first co-production from FLUX and MTV Japan called Nigoldeneye will debut simultaneously on both platforms. The docudrama series will follow Nigo , the world-renowned creator behind the A Bathing Ape fashion empire. Content produced exclusively for both FLUX and MTV Japan will complement the online and on-air viewing experiences, encouraging audiences to migrate between platforms.

FLUX also features more than 2,000 music videos - one of the largest selections online in Japan - licensed from local and international music companies such as Warner Music Group, Universal Music Group and Toshiba EMI. Artists featured on FLUX include international acts Madonna, Janet Jackson and Red Hot Chili Peppers, along with local acts. Additional licensing agreements with music companies will be announced soon.

FLUX provides this diverse and innovative video programming in a unique environment. The FLUX video player displays contextually related clips during video playback, so that the user can easily watch more programming from sources he enjoys, without the need for a specific search. FLUX also allows users to program their own channels and share these channels with friends within a social network.

Individual channels created can include anything ranging from self-made content, clips created by others, music videos, animations and more - building bridges between professional, independent, and amateur content providers. In this way, FLUX harnesses the power of technology and social networking to facilitate users discovery of new entertainment.Copyright and decency standards are enforced stringently on FLUX, through both a user-reporting system and 24-hour professional monitoring.

FLUX was first launched in Japan in June 2005 as an entertainment service for mobile phone users broadcasting popular content from MTVN, as well as original video content. The service is available on all three of Japan s mobile operators - NTT DoCoMo, KDDI and SoftBank to more than 80 million people. Earlier this year, customized FLUX services were launched by MTVN in Italy and the UK.

About Viacom International Japan Based in Tokyo, Viacom International Japan has a dynamic multi-platform entertainment business that includes the wholly owned and operated brands MTV, Nickelodeon and FLUX. MTV, which is the world s largest television network, is seen in more than six million cable and satellite households in Japan, along with compelling offerings for Internet and mobile users. Nickelodeon, which is the world s most widely distributed TV channel for kids, is seen in nearly two million households on cable, satellite and broadband TV, as well as customized content for online and mobile audiences.

Both MTV and Nickelodeon have burgeoning syndication and consumer products businesses in Japan. FLUX is a groundbreaking video sharing site for broadband Internet users, as well as a mobile entertainment community featuring original, locally produced content, video from users, the best of MTV Networks library and content licensed from music companies and others. Viacom International Japan is a subsidiary of MTV Networks, which is owned by Viacom Inc.

(NYSE: VIA, VIA.B).About MTV Networks MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom (NYSE: VIA, VIA.

B), is one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. MTV Networks, with 133 channels worldwide, owns and operates the following television programming services - MTV: MUSIC TELEVISION, MTV2, VH1, mtvU, NICKELODEON, NICK at NITE, COMEDY CENTRAL, TV LAND, SPIKE TV, CMT, NOGGIN, VH1 CLASSIC, LOGO, MTVN INTERNATIONAL and THE DIGITAL SUITE FROM MTV NETWORKS, a package of 13 digital services, with all of these networks trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks connects with its audiences through its robust consumer products businesses and its more than 150 interactive properties worldwide, including online, broadband, wireless and interactive television services and also has licensing agreements, joint ventures, and syndication deals whereby all of its programming services can be seen worldwide.

About BET Networks
BET Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom, Inc. (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B), is the nation's leading provider of quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming for the African-American audience.

The primary BET channel reaches more than 83 million households according to Nielsen media research, and can be seen in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. BET is the dominant African-American consumer brand with a diverse group of businesses extensions: BET.com, the Number 1 Internet portal for African Americans; BET Digital Networks - BET J, BET Gospel and BET Hip Hop, attractive alternatives for cutting-edge entertainment tastes; BET Event Productions, a full-scale event management and production company; BET Home Entertainment, a collection of BET-branded offerings for the home environment including DVDs and video-on-demand; BET Mobile, a service venture into the lucrative world of ring tones, games and video content for wireless devices; and BET International, an extension of BET network programming for global distribution.