MTV Delays UK Debut Of The Osbournes

MTV has been forced to delay the highly anticipated UK premier of fly-on-the-wall documentary The Osbournes due to contractual difficulties.

According to press reports, a bidding war between ITV and Channel 4 has already begun for the UK terrestrial rights to The Osbournes, which has been a huge hit in the US. President Bush was apparently so taken with the antics of Ozzy and his family that he invited the former Black Sabbath frontman to dinner at the White House.

The ten part series, which follows the life of UK rock star Ozzy Osbourne and his family, was due to begin airing this Sunday at 9pm. However, it is understood that the launch date for the first series has been put back because of unresolved contractual negotiations between the Osbourne family and MTV over rights to a second series.

A spokeswoman for MTV was unable to confirm the UK broadcast date for the first episode, saying: “Outstanding contractual obligations are holding up any announcements.”

It is not known whether the delay will have any effect on MTV’s agreement with Golden Wonder’s Nik Naks brand, which has been lined up to sponsor the UK premier of the show and it is likely that there is some consternation at the channel thanks to the wasted investment in both a poster campaign and the gaining of press coverage in the run up to what should have been the launch date.

MTV: 020 7284 7777 www.mtv.com

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