The world may be welcome in Utah, but what about MTV?
The youth-oriented cable network is planning a Utah presence during the upcoming 2002 Winter Games, with a couple of programs specific to the Games and a daily feature on its signature series "Total Request Live."
No, popular "TRL" host Carson Daly isn't coming to town, but the show, which airs weekdays at 1:30 p.m. MST on MTV, is sending correspondent Hillary Burton to Utah.
Burton will provide daily reports for the duration of the Games beginning Feb. 8 and will "dive into the Salt Lake City scene by hanging out with fans from around the world and trying out a couple of the Winter Olympics' most popular sports."
MTV, which, like CBS and UPN, is owned by Viacom, is partnering with rival NBC for the Olympics programming.
It's an effort by NBC to hype its own coverage to the young viewers advertisers so covet ? an attempt "to increase the relevance and buzz to MTV's core audience," said Gary Zenkel, executive vice president, NBC Olympics, in a prepared statement.
MTV is also planning an Olympics edition of its "Undercover" series, which promises "an intimate look at the Games through the eyes" of freestyle skier Jeremy Bloom, who has agreed to let a camera follow him through the Games.
The episode, which premieres Feb. 15 at 3 p.m. MST, will also follow the rock group Foo Fighters as they come to town to perform at the Medals Plaza.
And look for an Olympics edition of the cable network's "Diary" series, which follows another freestyle skier, Hannah Hardaway. It debuts Feb. 13, at 3:30 p.m. MST.
E-mail: pierce@desnews.com