MtvU replaces College Television Network at IU

Another MTV is coming to IU.\nThe College Television Network, channel 33 on campus, was replaced today with the new mtvU. The new network incorporates on-air with online and on-campus features.\nIU is one of 20 major universities with access to the new network. Others include Massachusetts Institute of Technology, University of Missouri and University of Georgia. mtvU reaches over 720 colleges with a combined enrollment of 5.5 million, and is the largest television network devoted to college life and its students, according to a press release from MTV. The channel can be viewed 24 hours a day, seven days a week in all parts of campus, on any television.\n"MtvU will be all about 'U,' -- the university -- but more importantly, 'U', the student," said Stephen Friedman, general manager of mtvU in a press release. "Just as college students are experimenting with their lives, we want to be a laboratory for what's new, whether it be new music or recognizing the talents of the students themselves."\nCTN contained music videos, CBS and MTV news, and other shows concerning students' lives and events, much of which mtvU will continue. Sophomore Megan Watts said she watches for the music videos, and will continue to watch.\n"It's a good channel that's appropriate for college kids." Watts said. "It has a lot of good videos that we want to see and has a lot of good news interventions."\nMtvU features new and innovative artists on the show "The Cut," where up and coming artists debut their latest videos. Artists chosen for "The Cut" include Howie Day, Butterfly Boucher, Atmosphere, Death Cab for Cutie, Dizzie Rascal and Joss Stone, according to the press release. Many of these artists are from the college scene and students can download songs on the channel's Web site, www.mtvu.com. The Web site is set to debut today.\n"It's a cool way to see new artists that aren't on MTV and aren't played out yet," Watts said. \nThe channel is also dedicated to providing opportunities for students, such as the contest "Stand In," where students have the chance to bring popular musicians and other icons into their classroom to teach. Marilyn Manson will teach about marketing and music, Jesse Jackson will teach about racism and the law and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Frank McCourt will teach about literature during the upcoming semester.\nMtvU offers grants in its "You Want It, You Got It Contest." Winning this contest allows a student to pick their own prize. Prizes can range from a car with free gas to a paid year of tuition to a newly decorated dorm room. Also, "mtvU Grants," along with YouthVenture, will give $1,500 every week of the school year to a young social activist to promote philanthropy in the community. mtvU will include information on all contests on-air and on their Web site.\nOther shows will include "The Freshman", a show dedicated to showing the latest new artists and music and the "Dean's List", a weekly video countdown similar to MTV's Total Request Live. Fans will be able to vote for their favorite videos at www.mtvU.com. Both shows previously aired on CTN.