MTV has partnered with The Hit Network to televise the latter’s popular format, RnB Fridays.
MORE: SCA’s RnB Fridays franchise becomes a weekly live event
Beginning March 31, MTV Dance will air non-stop RnB music videos from 8am to midnight (AEDT) every Friday, featuring RnB anthems from the early 90s to the hits of today.
International music artist and label owner Mario hosted a Facebook event this morning to announce the RnB Fridays partnership and answered questions from fans about his new single “Let Me Help You” ahead of his Australian tour. The two-time Grammy nominee will be launching the partnership by taking over RnB Fridays on March 31. He will be playing his favourite tracks, as well as his hits “Let Me Love You” and “How Do I Breathe” and new single “Let Me Help You”.
Reflecting the playlist that made RnB Fridays a radio success on the Hit Network, RnB artists such as TLC, Nelly, Jay-Z, Justin Timberlake and Usher will be showcased along the likes of Beyoncé, Rihanna and Kanye during the 16-hour weekly co-branded programming block. Through multiplatform, cross company promotions, on-air, online and through social platforms, listeners and viewers will have more access to the artists they love.
RnB Fridays quickly became the most-listened to day on air across the Hit Network’s 43 stations nationwide following its launch in 2015. With its radio success, the popularity of the RnB Fridays albums and the sold out inaugural RnB Fridays Live concerts in late 2016, the partnership between The Hit Network and MTV will deepen this weekly cult fixation and bring the artists to life through their music videos.
“RnB Fridays has been a massive success since it hit the airwaves in 2015 and Australia just can’t get enough of it,” said Simon Bates, Vice President and head of MTV Asia Pacific. “We are super excited to partner with Southern Cross Austereo and its Hit Network to bring this music phenomenon to MTV Dance every Friday.”
“We love that so many Australians have embraced RNB Fridays – turning up Blackstreet ‘No Diggity’ and Ginuwine ‘Pony’ is a must for all in the Hit office!” said Gemma Fordham, head of content for The Hit Network. “RnB Fridays has become a phenomenon for us and we are really thrilled to welcome MTV into the RnB Fridays family.”