VH1 Launched Broadband Network VSPOT With Premiere of Surreal Life 5  7/7/05

VH1 Launches Broadband Entertainment Network 'VSPOT' With Exclusive World Premiere of The First Episode of VH1 Series

'The Surreal Life 5' on Thursday, July 7 VH1 Marks the VSPOT With a Hybrid Network Offering VH1 Viewers Three Distinct Channels of Original and Exclusive Content On Demand On Their Computers

NEW YORK, July 6 /PRNewswire/ -- VH1 is launching its content-rich broadband entertainment network VSPOT, on Thursday, July 7 with the exclusive world premiere of the first episode of the new season of "The Surreal Life 5" -- three days before the series premieres on VH1.

Accessible through VH1's web site (http://www.vh1.com), VSPOT is VH1's new hybrid network offering three distinct channels of original and exclusive music and pop culture programming.

VH1's newest screen offers both a linear viewing experience and video-on-demand capabilities in one web-based application. VSPOT also heightens visitors' broadband experience by delivering companion programming to the VH1 linear network as well as high-quality original video content right to viewers' computers.

"VH1's newest platform has a life of its own, allowing viewers to deepen their connection with VH1 by accessing original and exclusive music and pop culture content in their own time and space. We want our upscale adult audience to take VH1 with them whenever and wherever they go," said Tom Calderone, VH1 General Manager.

"VSPOT expands on VH1's current position as the pre-eminent music and pop culture brand on-air, online and wireless. This new network elevates and enhances the VH1 brand through VSPOT's own original franchises as well as exclusive, behind-the-scenes extensions off of viewer favorites from the linear VH1 network," said Tina Imm, Vice President, VH1 Digital Media.

VSPOT is the latest step in VH1's multiplatform strategy which includes VH1.com, VH1 Mobile, digital music channels VH1 Classic, VH1 Soul, VH1 Country and VH Uno.

"VSPOT also strengthens the VH1 roundtrip experiences which allow us to thread our tune-in info and overall branding throughout all of our screens," added Calderone.

Top Music Artists and Celebrities Help Kick Off Original Content on VSPOT

Alanis Morissette, Hulk Hogan, Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day, Coldplay, Owen Wilson, Vince Vaughn, Rob Thomas, Moby, Jerry Hall as well as the cast of "The Surreal Life 5" are just some of the bold-face names who are part of the launch of VSPOT.

VSPOT launches with three distinct channels of exclusive music and pop culture programming, including "Shows," "Music" and "Movies." Some program highlights follow:

"SHOWS" -- Exclusive content, interviews and behind-the-scenes footage from viewers' favorite VH1 programs

"Surreal Life 5"

In addition to the world premiere of the first episode of "The Surreal Life 5," VSPOT will unveil exclusive one-on-one interviews with the upcoming season's cast on the set about what really went on. The eclectic group includes: the world's first supermodel Janice Dickinson; power slugger Jose Canseco; one of the first ladies of hip hop Sandi Denton (Pepa of Salt-n- Pepa); Bronson Pinchot ("Beverly Hills Cop"); Omarosa ("The Apprentice"); UK glamour model Caprice; and motorcross racer Carey Hart.

"Hogan Knows Best"

VSPOT serves up an exclusive online sneak peek at VH1's new "celebreality" series that captures the real-life world of Hulk Hogan and his family. The 10- minute sneak premieres on VSPOT on July 7, three days before the show airs on VH1 network on Sunday, July 10. In other VSPOT exclusives, Hulk Hogan and his family give VSPOT inside scoop on making the series while Hulk also talks about hilarious footage from each Hogan family member's personal digital video cameras during the series shoot.

"Celebrity Fit Club 2"

VSPOT goes behind the scenes to get the real skinny on the second season of the grueling fitness journey undertaken by Gary Busey, Jackee Harry ("227"), Willie Aames ("Eight is Enough"), Tocarra Jones ("America's Next Top Model"), Phil Margera ("Viva La Bam"), Jani Lane (lead singer of rock group Warrant), Victoria Jackson ("Saturday Night Live") and returning hero Wendy Kaufman (The Snapple Lady). VSPOT-only interviews reveal their anxieties and challenges about getting in shape.

"Storytellers: Green Day"

VSPOT showcases an extensive series of interviews and five Green Day performances - two of them EXCLUSIVE - from the band's stellar appearance on VH1's intimate performance series "Storytellers." The exclusive cuts include "Give Me Novacaine/She's a Rebel" and "Letterbomb."

"I Love The ... "

Donal Logue is one of the many reasons that VH1's successful "I Love The ... " series keeps viewers coming back again and again. But Logue's funniest commentary didn't make it to the TV screen, so VSPOT has gathered those clips to share with the world. Coming up next: Michael Ian Black.

"MUSIC" - World premiere music performances and videos and new exclusive artist franchises

"Live @ VH1.com" - Alanis Morissette

This popular performance franchise both online and on-air expands on VSPOT with "Live @ VH1.com" with Alanis Morissette. This segment features two songs that won't be seen anywhere else: "21 Things I Want in a Lover," and "Hands Clean." VSPOT also showcases exclusive footage from an intimate interview.

"Artist 2 Artist"

Another VSPOT exclusive, two music artists interview one another about their influences and experiences. Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day and indie artist Jesse Malin kick off the first installment chatting it up in a number of spots around New York City.

"Take 2"

Today's top artists give you the 411 on specific songs and their accompanying music videos by commenting on their performances, the video concepts -- and their outfits. Rob Thomas and Moby make up the first installment of this online-only exclusive VSPOT franchise.

VH1 Soul - "Soul Sisters"

This popular digital music channel takes it to the next level on broadband with videos from today's best R&B female artists, including Alicia Keys, Joss Stone, Amerie and Faith Evans. VH1 "You Oughta Know" artist Leela James hosts this first installment.

"Box Set" Coldplay

Coldplay jump starts this in-depth feature that celebrates everything about a specific artist from A to Z, including performances from their "VH1 Storytellers" taping exclusive to VSPOT and classic and current music videos. Introduced by VH1's Rachel Perry.

"MOVIES" - Celebrity interviews, exclusive movie clips and trailers

"On the Red Carpet"

A VSPOT exclusive, VH1 News covers the entertainment world's biggest events and brings the stars on the red carpet to your computer screen. The first installment includes exclusive footage and interviews from the "War of the Worlds" premiere.

"Sidewalk Cinema"

In another VSPOT exclusive franchise, we'll see if new movies ring true with potential moviegoers via man-on-the-street interviews about a film's premise and its cast. First up, "Wedding Crashers."

"VSPOT-light: "Hustle & Flow"

Indie buzz film "Hustle & Flow" gets the VSPOT-light treatment with exclusive clips from the movie and interviews with cast members.

"VSPOT Q&A"

Owen Wilson, Vince Vaughn, Rachel McAdams and Jane Seymour from the film "Wedding Crashers" kick off this VSPOT franchise of exclusive interviews with top-name cast members of upcoming films.

"VSPOT Close-Up: Tom Cruise"

Mr. Cruise is the first star on VSPOT Close-Up featuring movie clips and interviews from his most recent projects including "War of the Worlds" and "Collateral."

VH1 connects viewers to the music, artists and pop culture that matter to them most with series, specials, live events, exclusive online content and public affairs initiatives. VH1 is available in over 87 million households in the U.S. VH1 also has an array of digital services including VH1 Classic, VH1 Soul, VH Uno, VH1 Mega Hits and VH1 Country. Connect with VH1 at http://www.VH1.com.

VH1 is a registered trademark of MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom International Inc. MTV Networks also operates and offers joint ventures, licensing agreements and syndication deals whereby its programming can be seen worldwide.

SOURCE VH1

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