New York, NY, April 12, 2004 – Fuse, the nation's only viewer-driven, all-music network, today announced its new slate of 2004-2005 programming in tandem with the launch of its annual Upfront presentation. As with current Fuse favorites like Dedicate LIVE! , the three new originals announced rely heavily on an interactive, cross-platform design – one that is of particular interest to advertisers trying to reach to tech-savvy youth demographic. One highlight is sure to be the June 2004 debut of The Daily Download, a fresh take on the perennial "countdown concept" that provides free downloads of the most popular songs of the day, along with the most buzz-worthy content circulating on the Internet, from games to animations.
Fuse also announced renewed commitment to 18 existing series – from countdown and video flow features including Oven Fresh, The Next Big Thing, Authentic Hip-Hop, Uranium and Rockzilla to performance-based series including Sessions @ AOL, Addicted to DVD and 7th Avenue Drop. Also unveiled were agreements that would continue to provide Fuse with exclusive broadcast rights to some of the nation's leading concert events including Warped Tour 2004 and Hot 97 Summer Jam.
"Fuse's greatest strength is that we are built from the ground up on convergence, on providing our community of viewers with the tools they need to literally program our network," stated Marc Juris, President of Fuse. "New shows like Fuse Clues and The Daily Download bring the interactivity and viewer empowerment to a new level while keeping the focus on the one thing that matters most to our audience – their favorite music."
"Our new and existing convergence-based shows are an especially attractive ad buy for marketers trying to catch the attention of hard-to-target youth," added Corey Silverman, Fuse's Senior Vice President, Advertising Sales. "We enable advertisers to use our programming to create multi-platform programs that involve and deliver compelling messages to multi-tasking teens wherever they may be – be it watching television, surfing the Net or using their cell phones, pagers or iPods."
Just like music, Fuse programming comes in all different varieties, each innovative and surprising in its own way, and all of it influenced by viewers. Following are daily offerings, weekly series, specials and stunts that will be featured on Fuse in 2004 – 2005 (all times Eastern):
NEW PREMIERES
The Daily Download – Premiering: June 2004; Monday through Friday, 6:00 – 7:00pm
Fuse's live Daily Download counts down the top 10 most downloaded songs in the country and gives free downloads of each song presented. Fans can see the videos, talk to the artists, download to their heart's content – and avoid jail! In addition to free song downloads, viewers will be presented meaningful platforms of artist- and music-related content for interaction, including downloads of ringtones, wallpaper, memorabilia, bonus tracks, coupons, PC desktop and mobile phone graphics, album artwork, animations, games and demo's for PC's and phones.
Fuse Clues – Premiering: June 2004; Mondays, 7:00 – 7:30pm
Find the clue, fill in the blanks and get in the game with the groundbreaking music video alternative, Fuse Clues. Watch the video to find the hidden answers to questions that puzzle us all…then, go online, or on your cell phone, and join in the fun!
100% — Premiering Q3 2004; 30 minute special
Sit down with today's top recording artists for an inside look into their careers. Fuse gets up close and personal and plays the videos that the artists are known for…we give it all to you…100%.
Fuse-Inspired Interactive Programming:
Dedicate LIVE! – Monday through Friday, 5:00 – 6:00pm
Each day Fuse viewers can share their thoughts and feelings via emails that then appear on-air during Dedicate LIVE! Personally addressed messages appear over a selection of the latest requested music videos, giving new meaning to modern love, or hate.
Next Big Thing – Saturdays, 9:00 – 9:30pm
Each week Fuse plugs you into today's hottest bands and allows you to go online to vote for you favorite "up and comer." Each month Fuse tallies up the votes and awards the winner with the tile of the "Next Big Thing." Presented by Fuse and Tower Records.
Oven Fresh – Monday through Thursday @ 4 – 4:30 pm;
Oven Fresh Keepers: Fridays @ 4 – 4:30 pm
Oven Fresh plays piping-hot new videos and lets the viewer judge whether we should lose them or keep them. Those that make the grade are presented weekly during a special episode of "Oven Fresh Keepers." Those that don't…are eaten.
Performance-Based Shows and Specials:
7th Avenue Drop – 30 minute specials
Tune in for a special live performance from the hottest artists on the day they release their latest albums. It's a once in a lifetime event and Fuse gives you a front row seat as today's top recording artists reveal their tunes live.
Sessions @ AOL – 30 minute specials
Sessions @ AOL gives you immediate access to the hottest artist as they play live this up-close and intimate setting.
Addicted to DVD – 30 & 60 minute specials
Tune in for Fuse's exclusive presentation of the latest DVD releases from today's most popular rock stars. See them on the bus, hanging around backstage, making their videos, and as they rock out when they take the stage live.
Video Flow Shows, Genre-Based:
The Dive – Saturdays, 10:00 – 10:30pm
Open the door to the world of indie rock at The Dive, a weekly half-hour full of the most cutting-edge and critically acclaimed indie rock making the scene today.
Uranium – Monday through Friday, 8:00 – 8:30pm
Join our host, Juliya, as she leads you into the deep, dark world of metal on Uranium, Fuse's choice for everything fast and hard. Check in every day and see what's happening in metal and hardcore, with exclusive interviews and the latest music videos. Uranium gives heavy metal a level of exposure unseen and unheard of elsewhere on television or commercial radio.
4Play – Saturdays, 10:30 -11:00pm
Not for the weak of heart, 4Play promises to put you on the edge of your seat with non-stop extreme sports action and rocking music videos. Presented in a four-way split screen, 4Play delivers exciting sports moments along with your favorite videos providing the soundtrack.
¡Marcha! – Saturdays, 9:30 – 10:00pm
This weekly series attracts fans of the best alternative bands in South and Central America, Spain, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. The series features videos from today's most popular Latin artists, including Grammy winners and nominees Bacilos, Juanes, Kinky, Jorge Moreno, Mana, and Nicole. Videos from Volumen Cero, Molotov, Caf?acuba, Manu Chao, SiSe, Gentiallica and Jaguares.
#1 Countdown – Wednesdays, Thursdays & Fridays, 7:00 – 8:00pm
Check out the view from the top of the charts with the "#1 Countdown." Fuse presents all of the over achieving videos from the top of the Rock , Hip-Hop, and Pop charts.
Loaded – Monday through Friday, 4:30 – 5:00pm
Every weekday, one top artist or band revels in the spotlight, with an entire half-hour dedicated to their music and videos. Recent profiles have included Nirvana and Godsmack.
Authentic Hip-Hop – Monday through Friday, 12:00 – 12:30am
Authentic Hip Hop presents the latest and greatest videos from the world of rap and hip-hop. Featuring legendary artists along with the most flavorful up and comers – Authentic Hip Hop keeps you in the know.
Mixtape Mixdown Hits – Monday through Friday, 3:00 – 3:30pm
All the latest and greatest, and newest and hottest, videos can be found in one place – Mixtape Mixdown Hits. From the top of the pop charts to your TV…it's the one-stop that for all your favorites!
Power Fuse – Monday through Friday, 11:00am – 3:00pm
Fuse's daily non-stop parade of the best music videos we have to offer.
Rockzilla – Monday through Friday, 9:00 – 10:00pm
For those about to rock, Fuse presents Rockzilla. Presenting the very best rock videos each and every weekday. There's no time for boy bands and sugar pop stars, Rockzilla storms with videos that are sure to rock!
Uranium Classics – Saturdays, 11:30pm – 12:00am
A spin-off series dedicated to metal's grandfathers with highlights from the best of '80s and '90s hard rock and heavy metal hair bands.
Fuse Exclusive Concert Events:
Summer Jam – Q2 2004; Sunday, June 22, 2004, 7:00pm
Fuse goes behind-the-scenes to cover the annual Hot 97 Summer Jam concert event. This special presentation will feature interviews and performances from the hottest names in Hip-Hop as they perform for sold-out audiences at the music event of the year.
Warped Tour – Q3 2004; Friday, September 17th, 2005, 7:00pm
Join Fuse in the mosh pit as we take you front and center at the Van's Warped Tour, the longest-running festival tour in the United States. Best known as the preeminent youth event where extreme music, athletics and lifestyle co-mingle and thrive.
About Fuse
Fuse, a network of Rainbow Media Holdings LLC, is the nation's only all-music, viewer-influenced television network, featuring music videos, exclusive artist interviews, live concerts and specials — all rooted in the music experience. Fuse reflects the rapidly changing interests and attitudes of its 12-34 year-old audience by uniting the media platforms that are at the center of their communication and entertainment – TV, online, and interactive games – and by incorporating their opinions and suggestions into its on-air and online programming. More information about Fuse is available at www.fuse.tv.