VH1 and Pocket Books Announce Book Deal

Posted on September 6, 2000

VH1 and Pocket Books are teaming up to publish VH1 Behind the Music: Willie Nelson, the first in a series of companion books based on VH1's series. The book publishing deal with Pocket Books, a division of Simon & Schuster, the publishing operation of Viacom Inc., marks the latest long-term initiative in extending the VH1 brand, according to Ann Sarnoff, Executive Vice President, Business Strategy & Program Enterprises, VH1. VH1 is part of MTV Networks, which is also owned by Viacom Inc.

``This agreement with Pocket Books is the perfect launching pad for our development of VH1's publishing arm, utilizing the unique power and popularity of the 'Behind the Music' series to effectively extend the franchise off-screen,'' said Sarnoff. ``The venture with Pocket Books and our recent agreement with Westwood One to launch the new VH1 Radio Network are key steps in broadening the reach of the VH1 brand and keeping people connected to the music and artists they love.''

Scheduled for release this fall, the VH1/Pocket Books Trade Paperback Original VH1 Behind the Music: Willie Nelson presents a no-holds-barred story of the country music legend, and includes black-and-white photos and interviews not seen in the original VH1 broadcast. The next two VH1 Behind the Music books scheduled for upcoming release are 1968 and The Day the Music Died, both also based on episodes from VH1's BTM television series. The fourth scheduled book in the series, Rock & Roll Casualties, an encyclopedic guide to the many rock artists who have become victims of the great rock 'n' roll lifestyle, is an original title not based on any single episode of the TV series.

``Music fans trust VH1 to bring them the real stories behind the artists, and that's why we're also considering opportunities to similarly develop VH1 franchises like The List, Storytellers and Before They Were Rock Stars, among others,'' added Sarnoff.