A Different Kind Of Live TV

NETS ARE LAUNCHING FESTIVALS TO REACH FANS AND BRANDS.

- Jason Lynch

Viacom has largely backed away from throwing mammoth upfront events, but during the rest of the year, the company has embraced them like never before for flagship networks BET, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr. and Paramount Network. “Building on the success of our international events business, every flagship brand now will have a live event in the U.S.,” Viacom CEO Bob Bakish said during an earnings call in February.

So, Comedy Central is holding its second annual Cluster fest from June 1-3 in San Francisco, Nickelodeon Slime Fest makes its U.S. debut on June 9 and 10 in Chicago, and the BET Experience will return to Los Angeles from June 21-24.