MTV Australia and NZ announces new host
MTV Australia and New Zealand has signed on another VJ to feature on six of the broadcaster’s channels.
Auckland University lecturer Kristian ‘Krit’ Schmidt was crowned at a VIP party in Auckland on Friday night, after beating hundreds of hopefuls – competing against a top ten over two days of challenges.
Schmidt will relocate to Sydney to work with current Australian VJ Kate Peck across six MTV channels: New Zealand’s MTV, MTV Hits and MTV Classic on SKY NZ, and Australia’s MTV, MTV Music and MTV Dance.
Simon Bates, Director, MTV Australia and New Zealand told TMN it was Schmidt’s versatile nature that sealed the deal.
“The constant across MTVs channels and platforms is that our audience is young, and Krit is a natural communicator with young people. He is currently a University lecturer, he is passionate about music and he has a natural, relaxed style that we think will resonate with audiences in Australia and New Zealand.
“It was a tough competition but Krit stood out as the one with the MTV vibe and we could see his personality crossing all channels and genres. MTV is such a broad brand and we needed someone that could relate to everything we encompass; whether it’s Miley twerking at the VMAs, announcing a new Flume track on MTV Dance, or jumping up and hosting MTV Summer. Krit definitely had the credentials for all of the above.”
Maria Barlow-Cooper, Manager, Entertainment External Channels adds, “Krit is a true international star; smart with a heart and swag to boot. We look forward to following his journey and adventures ahead.”
Professional wrestler and actor Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson is Schmidt’s cousin; he congratulated the new VJ via Twitter, writing: “Proud of my cuz. MTV is gettin’ a great host. Helluva sense of humor, hard worker & drinks from a pimp cup.”
MTV has helped launch the careers of Ruby Rose, Russell Brand, Jay Reeves, Amber Peebles and Darren McMullen.
In October last year, MTV Australia announced two pure music channels: MTV Music, an Australian version of the UK’s number one music channel, and MTV Dance, the broadcaster’s first 24 hour channel to exclusively feature electronic, hip hop and R n’ B. Both stations launched late December.
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