MTV pushes HD into eight countries

Network adds to 21 high-definition channels

By STEVE CLARKE

LONDON -- MTV Networks is to launch its international high-definition web in Austria, Brazil, Croatia, Italy, Mexico, Peru, Portugal and Spain by the end of the year.

MTVNHD bowed last fall and is already available in 21 countries. It is operated by MTV Network's emerging markets group, which produces and broadcasts the channel from Warsaw, Poland.

Meanwhile, U.K. cabler Virgin Media will bow MTVNHD, Living, FX and National Geographic in high definition. Its pay TV rival BSkyB is Blighty's leading provider of high-def TV, offering 30 such channels with plans to increase this to 50.