NEW DELHI: MTV UK will axe 80 jobs, or around 10 per cent of its workforce, as part of its parent company Viacom's global plan to save $250 million in 2009.

London-based MTV UK and MTV International, part of Viacom's MTV Networks division, have cut between 70 and 80 jobs out of a workforce of around 750 based in Camden and Oxford Street.

MTV UK, which comprises channels like MTV One, VH1 and TMF, told its staff that it would begin a 30-day consultation on the cuts which are expected to affect most of the departments.

MTV is also debating on whether to outsource its short-form production, which includes programme links and shows such as its chart rundown. At present these programmes are produced in-house at MTV's studio complex in Camden, north London.

MTV already outsources all its long-form programming.

Meanwhile, last week Viacom made an announcement saying that it would lay off as much as 850 jobs globally as part of a cost cutting initiative as well as freezing senior management pay.

Viacom owns film studio Paramount Pictures and TV channels including Comedy Central, Nickelodeon and BET. The job cuts would reduce its global workforce of 12,300 by about 7 per cent.