MTV China and Kappa get freaky

National - Italian sports apparel giant Kappa has partnered with MTV China to launch a national street dance competition, Dance To Kill.

MTV China will broadcast 22 weekly episodes of Dance To Kill from 15 September on its 24-hr Channel and through Chongqing Satellite TV from 16 September, reaching a combined audience of some 142 million households.

MTV will hold auditions in six major cities across China including Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chongqing, Wuhan and Harbin to search for 60 competitors to compete against each. The final will be held in Beijing in January next year.

Li Yifei, executive vice president & managing director of MTV Networks China, said street dance is becoming increasingly popular in China.

"Street dance has emerged as something that young people love because its style is energetic, improvisational and encourages originality and interactions with others.

"MTV has connected closely with youth, and are committed to delving into the world of young people in order to gain insights about their interests."

Viewers will have the change to participate in the program by eliminating dancers via SMS and online voting through www.mtvchina.com.