VH1 READIES SLATE OF REALITY SHOWS

CABLE WORLD STAFF New reality shows touching on the worlds of music and pop culture will be appearing on VH1 over the next few months, the network said last week. Nearly every other network, VH1 is staging a talent contest. In this case it’s Destination Diva: The Search for a Superstar. The network plans to conduct talent searches in New York, London, Nashville, Philadelphia and Miami. The winner will make his or her debut on the next VH1 Divas special in May. Other shows include Dashboard Dreams, a special hosted by Chris Titus about the connection between rock and roll and automobiles, and Shania: What It’s Like, a behind-the-scenes look at country music star Shania Twain’s tour supporting her latest album. Dashboard Dreams will air Feb. 17; Shania will appear Feb. 12. VH1 will also continue to crank out countdown shows. Top 50 Hip-Hop Artists, Top 100 Pop Culture Icons, Top 50 Teen Idols and 25 Greatest Fads will appear between March and the end of the second quarter. VH1, which had a change in management last year, saw delivery in its key demo of 18-to-49-year-olds rise 58% in January. Meanwhile, MTV, VH1’s sibling, is going into business with Magic Johnson. The former hoops star will produce Who’s Got Game, a talent contest for street-basketball players with a $100,000 cash prize.