MTV Online Back To Basics

Though MTV hasn’t been known for broadcasting music videos for some time now, MTV Networks Japan has announced that, on the Web, at least, it is still the place to go for videos.

The network announced in late April a tie-up with Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group to offer a new streaming service for mtvjapan.com users, who can view videos by artists signed to the two labels free of charge.

In addition to videos by artists including Mariah Carey, Black Eyed Peas, Kanye West, Red Hot Chili Peppers and My Chemical Romance, the service will also offer “premier content” for MTV Networks International’s library, including episodes of “”he Hills,” “MTV Cribs” and MTV Networks Japan’s own original animated series “Usavich.”

As a way of publicizing the new service, MTVNJ was given the right to stream the exclusive premiere of Green Day’s newest video, “Know Your Enemy,” April 24.
It was the first global cross-channel video premiere for MTV and VH1 networks.