MTV Adds Programming to iTunes

MTV Networks-owned Comedy Central announced Thursday that it would offer programming through Apple's iTunes. The deal puts 56 episodes of "South Park," "Drawn Together" and "Comedy Central Stand-Up" on the service.

To promote the deal, for one week starting January 30 the network will offer the latest episode of "Drawn Together" three days before the episode is shown on February 1. TV shows on iTunes are usually offered the day after they are shown on television. Comedy Central initially stated the download would be free, but it will run $1.99 USD.

The episode is the second of eight new episodes for the series, which broadcasts on Wednesdays at 10:30pm ET.

"We are thrilled to premiere a new episode prior to its network airing and to launch Comedy Central video content on iTunes," Comedy Central general manager Michele Ganeless said. "Partnering with Apple extends our brand to the burgeoning iTunes audience."

The network says it plans to add more episodes from each of the shows to iTunes, as well as looking into adding additional programming. As with other video downloads, each would cost $1.99 USD.

Also announced were deals with MTV, which would include episodes of "Beavis and Butthead", "Laguna Beach," "Wonder Showzen," "Gauntlet 2," "My Super Sweet 16," "Jackass," and "Punk'd," and Nickelodeon's "Spongebob Squarepants," "Dora the Explorer," and "Zoey 101."

"The iTunes Music Store provides an innovative way for us to get our wide range of programming to our viewers," MTV Networks chief digital officer Jason Hirschhorn said.

To date, iTunes has sold over eight million videos.