MTV New Zealand was a 24-hour general television entertainment channel operated by MTV Networks International. The channel launched on 18 August 2006. From its launch MTV New Zealand employed 23 people at its headquarters in Auckland. MTV New Zealand was replaced with MTV Australia on 30 November 2010 while still retaining localised advertising and website for New Zealand. As of November 2011, MTV.co.nz redirects viewers to MTV.com.au. History Between June 1997 to June 1998, MTV was operated in New Zealand as a free to air channel by TVNZ using content from UK version of MTV. It controversially replaced Auckland's free-to-air music TV channel Max TV and Christchurch's Cry TV, and was only broadcast in Auckland, Wellington, Tauranga, Hamilton, Christchurch and Dunedin. On 18 May 2006 SKY Network Television announced the launch of a licensed, localised MTV channel, operated by Viacom New Zealand. The announcement of the channel triggered discussion among the public and in online forums. The channel had the backing of several influential New Zealanders in the music industry including: Ed St. John, President and CEO, Warner Music Australasia; Denis Handlin, Chairman & CEO, Sony BMG Music Entertainment Australia & New Zealand; Andy Murnane, CEO, Dawn Raid Entertainment; and local hip-hop artist Savage. It commenced full operations on 16 August 2006. In 2007 MTV Australia announced its nominees for the MTV Australia Video Music Awards 2007. Along with the usual categories came the New Zealand viewers choice award which was a special category for New Zealand artists. The winner (which was announced on the night) was Goodnight Nurse. In celebration of this MTV New Zealand (along with Air New Zealand) hosted the world's first MTV Mile High Gig which made its way from New Zealand to the MTV Australia Video Music Awards and had live bands, Goodnight Nurse and Dukes, on the plane. MTV aired MTV Snow Jam to celebrate their first birthday, featuring acts such as Lupe Fiasco, Savage, Mareko and The Mint Chicks, on 18 August 2007 at Snow Park in Wanaka. The show was in conjunction with the finals of the Billabong Slopestyle Jam competition. Website The website officially launched in July 2006 and only showed a promo for the channel (which related to cows and cow milk which makes people do strange things), a form to win tickets to the 2006 VMAs, VJ search and launch party info. The full site launched with the channel