AUSTRALIA

MTV sets Oz bow

SYDNEY --- On Tuesday, MTV Networks international prexy Bill Roedy told reporters that Viacom's MTV will switch on Down Under at 9 p.m. Thursday.

MTV will air on cabler Optus Vision, a joint venture of US West and Kerry Packer, via a multiyear licensing deal with the local channel it is replacing, Village Roadshow's ARC Music TV.

The announcement comes just days after Asian music franchise (V) said it would bow in Oz April 18 on Rupert Murdoch's cabler Foxtel and satcaster Galaxy via a licensing pact with the local channel it's replacing, XYZ Entertainment's Red TV.