Sky to acquire MTV Italia

Sky has struck a deal with Viacom to acquire MTV Italia, expanding its presence on the country’s digital-terrestrial platform.

Sky has also struck an expanded carriage deal with Viacom that will see the latter launch two new channels, along with on-demand services and multiscreen apps with the pay TV broadcaster.

Sky’s acquisition of MTV Italia means it will take possession of channel 8 on the country’s digital-terrestrial platform.

The deal, news of which was first reported by La Republicca in June, will see Viacom content continue to be aired on channel 8 alongside content from Sky Italia. The channel will air the forthcoming MTV Europe Music Awards, to be held in Milan in October.

Under a new multi-year partnership with Sky, Viacom will launch two new pay TV channels on the Sky platform – Teen Nick, a Nickelodeon channels targeting teenagers, and MTV Next, a new MTV-branded channel featuring “a heavily interactive component”, according to Viacom. Teen Nick is expected to launch by the end of this year, while MTV Next will launch on August 1, airing on Sky channel 133.

Viacom also plans to launch new pay TV-authenticated apps in Italy next year with Sky, allowing users to watch content, play games and interact with TV show cast and characters.

Viacom content will also be available on Sky On Demand and a number of channels are expected to be launched on multiscreen service Sky Go in Italy by the end of this year.

The deal marks the first major acquisition Sky has made since the UK Sky acquired its German and Italian counterparts to create a major European pay satellite group.