Muz-TV

Muz-TV МУЗ ТВ
Launched	1 July 1996 (free broadcasting) 16 September 2012 12:00 MSK (satellite broadcasting)
Closed	16 September 2012 11:59 MSK (free broadcasting)
Owned by	UTH Russia
Picture format	4:3 (576i, SDTV)
Slogan	Music unites (rus. Музыка объединяет)
Country	Russia
Language	Russian
Broadcast area	Russia, CIS
Replaced by	U (free broadcasting)
Website	http://muz-tv.ru

Muz-TV (Муз-ТВ, from Музыкальное телевидение - Music Television) is a Russian music TV channel, broadcasting since 1996, as a MTV version on Russian language. It is largely modelled after western MTV and predates launching of MTV Russia in 1998. Muz TV was founded by Sergey Lisovskiy. Today Muz-TV is owned by UTH Russia, which is, in turn, 49% owned by The Walt Disney Company.

Muz-TV's format is Russian pop music videos, although international pop, hip-hop and contemporary R&B can be occasionally seen as well. There are charts for both local and international acts, voted via channel's website.

Much like MTV, in late 2000's Muz-TV became more an entertainment channel broadcasting reality shows, rather than a music channel. After the re-branding of 16 September 2012 "Muz-TV" has moved to a new frequency, changing the concept back to the "musical" On its old frequency, a new youth entertainment channel "U", which consists of programs previously aired on the Muz-TV (except musical programs), as well as new programs and series, both purchased and own production.

Annual Muz-TV music awards is presented to Russian pop musicians since 2003. For each nomination, three nominees are chosen by the channel's jury, and then nominees are voted via SMS. Award is presented on the show in Olimpiysky.

Muz-TV music awards is object of sharp criticism in media. The major issue is a repetitive list of nominees, for example, Zveri have been awarded "Best rock act" six times in a row, and Dima Bilan became "Artist of the Year" five times in six years. Another issue is lip syncing on the award ceremony.

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Wikipedia