MTV and CNN are joining forces to produce a documentary on HIV and Aids for World Aids Day.

Staying Alive: An MTV & CNN News Special, the result of an unlikely partnership between the Viacom-owned music network and Time Warner's global news station, will premiere November 27 on CNN. It will then air on MTV stations around the world - as well as CNN sister station CNN en Español - on World Aids Day, December 1st.

News segments for the programme will be fronted by MTV VJs or CNN news reporters, with a particular focus on how HIV/Aids affects young people. Other issues raised will include access to treatment, condom usage, discrimination and rising infection rates.

"This Staying Alive news special will have unprecedented distribution," said Bill Roedy, president of MTV Networks International. "I challenge other broadcasters to air this rights-free special at no cost to get crucial HIV/AIDS prevention messages out to the largest audience ever this year on World AIDS Day and beyond."