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Fuse (TV channel)

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Fuse
CountryUnited States
Broadcast areaNationwide
Worldwide
HeadquartersNew York, New York,U.S.
Programming
Language(s)English
Picture formatNTSC
HDTV1080i
(HD feed downgraded toletterboxed480ifor SD feed)
Ownership
OwnerFuse Media, LLC (Branding licensed fromCHUM Limitedas MuchMusic USA, and MMUSA from 1994 to 2003)
Key peopleMiguel Roggero
(Chairman and CEO)
Sister channelsFM
History
LaunchedJuly 1, 1994;30 years ago(1994-07-01)
ReplacedNuvoTV
(merged into Fuse on September 30, 2015)
Former namesMuchMusic USA(1994–2001)
MMUSA (2001–2003)
Links
Websitewww.fuse.tv
Availability
Streaming media
DirecTV StreamInternet Protocol television
Fubo TVInternet Protocol television
Sling TVInternet Protocol television

Fuseis an American television channel owned byFuse Media, LLC,that launched in 1994.

It was originally known asMuchMusic USA,a localized version of the Canadian cable channelMuch,and was dedicated to music-based programming; the channel relaunched under its current branding in 2003. Fuse was acquired by SiTV Media in 2014 and, after merging with theLatino-orientedNuvoTVin 2015, would shift its focus to general entertainment and lifestyle programming targeting multicultural young adults.

By February 2015, Fuse was available to approximately 71,491,000 pay television households (61.4% of households with television) in the United States.[1]With a number of cable operators discontinuing their carriage in the years since, the channel currently has an availability of around 34 million pay television households as of 2022.[2]

History[edit]

As MuchMusic USA[edit]

The channel originally launched on July 1, 1994, asMuchMusicUSA;it was founded as ajoint venturebetween Rainbow Media (currently known asAMC Networks), a division of New York–basedCablevisionandToronto-basedCHUM Limited.CHUM would later sell its 50% stake in the network to Cablevision in 2000, but allowed the continued use of the "MuchMusic" name under abrand licensingagreement.

The channel suffered from a lack of carriage; outside of Cablevision's own systems and others (such as the now-defunctPrimeStar[3]), not many providers carried the network.[citation needed]Beginning in 1996, Rainbow began an effort to add U.S-produced original programming and music video blocks to the network.[4]Certain Cablevision systems in major markets also experimented with locally oriented music countdown shows, typically produced in cooperation with a local radio station (such as Cablevision's Boston system producing theMuchMusic Boston Countdowntogether with radio stationWFNX).[5]

In 1998, the network also began to be included in a sub-unit of Rainbow focused upon live pay-per-view events taking place at New York's world-famousRadio City Music HallandMadison Square Garden(both also owned by Cablevision's founding Dolan family),Radio City Networks.[6]

By 2001, MuchMusic USA began to diverge from its Canadian parent; it introduced a new logo identifying itself asMMUSA,and began to air its own original programming and music video blocks, often featuring user-submitted videos; the network's new direction centered around viewer interactivity via the Internet, with the "mmusa.tv" website being the focal point of the interaction.[7][8]Carriage of the network began to expand with the rise ofdigital cable,withTime Warner CableandComcastbeginning to carry the channel around this time.[9]

As Fuse[edit]

2003–2013[edit]

Fuse studios onSeventh Avenueacross fromMadison Square Garden.

After CHUM revoked its licensing agreement for the U.S. channel to use the MuchMusic brand, Cablevision and Time Warner announced that it would relaunch MMUSA asFusein 2003; Fuse would officially relaunch on May 19, 2003.[10]

The channel indirectly bashed the Paramount-ownedMTVwith a slogan touting Fuse as the channel "where the music went." Fuse's advertising in this period, by New York–basedAmalgamated,generated controversy both through its more direct criticism of MTV, and through its parodies, particularly that of theiPod ad campaign.[11][12][13][14]Viacom,corporate owner of MTV and, for a short while, the former owner of many of Fuse's current sister properties, protested when a Fuse billboard appeared across from its headquarters featuringSally Struthers' plea to "save the music video."

In 2008, Fuse became the exclusive television partner for some major music events, including signing a three-year deal to air theRock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony[15]and theBonnaroo Music and Arts Festival.

In April 2010,Cablevision'sMSGunit, including Fuse, was spun off as a separate publicly traded company,The Madison Square Garden Company.[16]

On June 20, 2010, Fuse simulcast the2010 MuchMusic Video Awards,marking its first broadcast of MuchMusic programming since its relaunch.[17]Other MuchMusic programming would return in 2011, includingThe WedgeandVideo on Trial(which would also gain an American version).

Blink-182and former+44singer/bassistMark Hoppusbegan hosting his own weekly television series on Fuse that year, titledHoppus on Music.[18][19]

On June 28, 2011,Vevoand Fuse entered into a video syndication and content partnership. As part of the partnership, Fuse.tv syndicates Vevo's music video and entertainment programming, including exclusive music video premieres, live music events, and originally produced series.[20]

In the fall of 2012, Fuse refocused itself with a new on-air branding campaign[21]created by design agency LoyalKaspar, with its website now featuring trending music news stories. That winter, Fuse launched amobile appforAndroidandiOSdevices. In November 2012, Fuse announced the launch ofFuse News,[22]a daily news update program which debuted in February 2013.

2013–2019[edit]

In March 2013, anonymous sources leaked news that MSG was planning to sell all or part of Fuse, as the network had been struggling, and was facing growing competition from digital outlets.[23]

On April 4, 2014, MSG and SiTV Media, the parent company of the Latino-oriented entertainment networkNuvoTV,announced that SiTV would acquire Fuse for $226 million.[24]SiTV outbid rival networkRevolt,which had made a $200 million offer to acquire Fuse. As part of the deal, the Madison Square Garden Company would take a 15% stake in SiTV. Prior to the official announcement,Benny Medina(manager ofJennifer Lopez,the network's chief creative officer) stated that if SiTV were to acquire Fuse, there were no immediate plans to make any major changes to the network's programming, emphasizing that Fuse and NuvoTV would be "two different companies with two different identities, audiences and goals."[25]However, on May 1,Fuse Newswas cancelled with immediate effect, with the entire staff let go, along with other cuts throughout the network.[26][27]

The acquisition was completed on July 1, 2014.[28]

In March 2015, Fuse announced its would expand beyond music programming and merge with NuvoTV.[29]A new programming slate was announced, includingWhite Guy Talk Show,alate-night talk showhosted byGrace Parraand Saurin Choksi, which debuted on March 2, 2015; and, debuting on April 9,Skee TV,hosted byDJ Skee,featuring interviews and live performances.[30][31]In addition, the newly rebranded parent company, Fuse Media, announced the launch of a new music channel focusing on "up-and-coming, young, diverse talent".[32]The new channel,FM,would later launch on September 30, 2015, replacing NuvoTV.[33]

In April 2015, Fuse became the exclusive broadcaster ofLegends Football Leaguegames in the United States.[34]On July 31, 2015, Fuse announced they would relaunch with a new logo and branding on September 30, 2015.[35][36]In addition to new series such asTranscendent,which documents the lives oftransgenderwomen at AsiaSF Cabaret & Restaurant in San Francisco, andRevealed,which features music videos, interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage of artists at work, Fuse announced a multi-year partnership with comedianGabriel Iglesiasfor additional new programming and comedy specials.[37][38]

In November 2017, a partnership betweenComplexand Fuse was announced in which Fuse will air a block of Complex digital series under theComplex x Fusebanner. The block premiered on November 10, 2017.[39][40]

Towards the end of 2018, bothComcastandVerizonannounced that Fuse and FM would be dropped fromXfinityandFioson January 1, 2019, reasoning that the networks' lack of viewership and Fuse'schannel drifttowards a sitcom and film repeat-heavy lineup did not justify continued carriage of the networks. Then-Fuse Media CEO Michael Schwimmer made the claim the networks were being dropped as Comcast'sDepartment of Justiceconsent decree for their acquisition was relaxed regarding channel diversity and a commitment to independent channel operators, giving them an out from carrying the network. In reality, the decree remains in full effect and Fuse'sde factoreplacement,TV Onesister networkCleo TV,launched broadly on Comcast systems on January 19 under the same decree.[41][42]

In April 2019, Fuse's parent company, Fuse Media, filed forChapter 11 bankruptcy protection,citing its lost coverage on Comcast and Verizon systems, as well as defaulting on a loan.[43]

On September 3, 2019, a Fuse-branded channel was launched onPluto TV.[44]

Since 2020[edit]

On November 19, 2020, current Fuse Media CEO Miguel Roggero and a "Latino-led management group" announced that they haveacquired majority interestin the company.[45][46]

In March 2021, Fuse Media announced the launch of a new streaming division, merging the network's website, social media, and digital video outlets with new branded free ad-supported television (FAST) channels.[47][48]That summer, Fuse Media launched asubscription video on demand(SVOD) service, "Fuse+", in beta.[49]

In December 2021, Comcast reached a renewed carriage agreement with Fuse Media, bringing Fuse and FM back to its cable service after 3 years, and also extending distribution of Fuse+ to its X1 and Flexset-top boxes.[50]

Programming[edit]

Main article:List of programs broadcast by Fuse

Original programming that's currently produced by Fuse consists of lifestyle series, reality shows, and documentaries. After merging withNuvoTVand launchingFMin September 2015, Fuse would slowly scale down its music-based programming.

Through itsFuse Presentsseries, the network has previously hosted live concerts from various venues, primarily from those owned by MSG.[51][52][53][54]

Former on-air staff[edit]

Music blocks[edit]

  • Esteban Serrano – host ofTop 20 Countdown
  • Katie van Buren – host ofTop 20 Countdown
  • Timothy Dunn[55]– host ofGot Ur #
  • Yasmine Richard – host ofTop 20 CountdownandTrending 10

Entertainment and music shows[edit]

Fuse News[edit]

  • Matte Babel – host ofFuse News
  • Alexa Chung– host ofFuse News
  • Georgie Okell – host ofFuse News
  • Elaine Moran – host ofFuse NewsandTrending 10
  • Jack Osbourne[56]– host ofFuse News

Related services[edit]

Main article:Fuse Media
  • FM– Primarily airs music-related programming and reruns of Fuse original series. Launched on September 30, 2015.
  • Fuse+ – asubscription video on demand(SVOD) service. Launched in June 2021.

References[edit]

  1. ^Seidman, Robert (February 22, 2015)."List of how many homes each cable network is in as of February 2015".TV by the Numbers.Zap2it. Archived fromthe originalon February 23, 2015.RetrievedMarch 14,2015.
  2. ^"U.S. cable network households (universe), 1990 – 2023".wrestlenomics.com.May 14, 2024.RetrievedMay 21,2024.
  3. ^Primestar Promos and Commercials (1997-2000),archived fromthe originalon February 28, 2020,retrievedJanuary 8,2020
  4. ^Billboard.Nielsen Business Media, Inc. March 16, 1996.
  5. ^Moss, Linda."MuchMusic Tries Local Angle to Woo Ops".Multichannel.RetrievedJanuary 5,2020.
  6. ^Billboard.Nielsen Business Media, Inc. October 17, 1998.
  7. ^Billboard.Nielsen Business Media, Inc. June 9, 2001.
  8. ^"MuchMusic USA Changes the Face of Music Programming with New Interactive Shows".June 1, 2001.RetrievedJanuary 5,2020.
  9. ^Billboard.Nielsen Business Media, Inc. March 17, 2001.
  10. ^Article: muchmusic usa Becomes Fuse; Total Convergence Music Programming 'Fuses' Online, TV & Interactive Game Play.[dead link]HighBeam Research
  11. ^Mucha, Thomas (March 1, 2005)."They Want Their Fuse TV - March 1, 2005".Money.cnn.com.RetrievedJune 25,2010.
  12. ^dabitch (May 15, 2003)."Fuse is fuel for fury. MTV doesn't like their tone".Adland.tv.RetrievedJune 25,2010.
  13. ^Tim Arango (July 23, 2004)."Apple Blows Fuse Over Ads".NYPOST.com.RetrievedJune 25,2010.
  14. ^dabitch (July 24, 2004)."Fuse parodies two campaigns in one – gets Apple on the phone".Adland.tv.RetrievedJune 25,2010.
  15. ^"Fuse Gets Rock Hall of Fame Telecasts In Three-Year Deal - 2008-11-03 06:00:00 | Multichannel News".Multichannel.com.RetrievedJune 25,2010.
  16. ^Riddell, Kelly (February 10, 2010)."Cablevision Spins Off MSG to Focus on Cable Franchise".Bloomberg.RetrievedJanuary 18,2013.
  17. ^"CTV Media Site – MuchMusic".Ctvmedia.ca. June 8, 2010. Archived fromthe originalon July 19, 2011.RetrievedJune 25,2010.
  18. ^"Coming to Fuse This Fall: A Different Spin with Mark Hoppus".Fuse.tv. June 22, 2010. Archived fromthe originalon June 25, 2010.RetrievedJune 22,2010.
  19. ^"Fuse Announces New Weekly Show 'Hoppus on Music'".PR Newswire. June 22, 2010.RetrievedJune 22,2010.
  20. ^"VEVO Press Release Media Site – Fuse".Fuse.tv. June 28, 2011. Archived fromthe originalon September 30, 2011.RetrievedJuly 18,2011.
  21. ^"Loyalkaspar - Fuse Rebrand".Archived fromthe originalon April 2, 2015.RetrievedApril 1,2015.
  22. ^Itzkoff, Dave (September 4, 2012)."Fuse Introduces 'Fuse News,' with Some Recognizable Hosts".The New York Times.RetrievedDecember 18,2013.
  23. ^Atkinson, Claire (March 22, 2013)."MSG could be at the end of its Fuse".The New York Post.RetrievedDecember 18,2013.
  24. ^"NUVOtv Parent Company SiTV Media to Acquire Fuse Network From The Madison Square Garden Company"(Press release). New York, NY: MSG Networks Inc. April 14, 2014.RetrievedNovember 25,2019.
  25. ^Liberman, David (April 2014)."JLo Outbids Sean Combs for Fuse TV; Snaps Up for $226 million".Deadline Hollywood.RetrievedApril 5,2014.
  26. ^Charlton, Jordan (May 1, 2014)."The Ticker: Fuse, Oliver, Tapper".TVNewser.Archived fromthe originalon May 2, 2014.RetrievedMay 2,2014.
  27. ^Staff Report (May 1, 2014)."Fuse Readies For NuvoTV Merger By Shedding Some Staff".Deadline Hollywood.RetrievedMay 2,2014.
  28. ^"NUVOtv PARENT COMPANY SÍTV MEDIA COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF FUSE NETWORK FROM THE MADISON SQUARE GARDEN COMPANY"(PDF).Archived fromthe original(PDF)on September 6, 2014.RetrievedJanuary 7,2014.
  29. ^"Upfronts 2015: Nuvo TV to Meld into Fuse in Q3".Multichannel News. March 4, 2015.RetrievedMarch 25,2015.
  30. ^"Fuse Media, Inc. unveils new ambitious original programming slate for Fuse network, expanding beyond music for 2015-16 season".Zap2it.March 4, 2015. Archived fromthe originalon March 7, 2015.RetrievedMarch 25,2015.
  31. ^"'White Guy Talk Show' & DJ Skee-Hosted Series On Fuse Media's 2015 Slate ".March 4, 2015.RetrievedMarch 25,2015.
  32. ^"Upfronts 2015: Nuvo TV to Meld into Fuse in Q3".Multichannel News. March 4, 2015.RetrievedMarch 25,2015.
  33. ^"Hilary Ready to Light Up a New 'Fuse'".Multichannel News. September 28, 2015.RetrievedOctober 1,2015.
  34. ^"LFL Returns to National Television on Fuse in HD".lfl360.com. Archived fromthe originalon April 10, 2015.RetrievedApril 7,2015.
  35. ^"Fuse TV to relaunch with new identity, programming".Rapid TV News. August 1, 2015.
  36. ^Khatchatourian, Maane (July 31, 2015)."Fuse TV to relaunch with new identity, programming".Variety.
  37. ^"FUSE RELAUNCHES ON SEPTEMBER 30th WITH NEW NETWORK BRAND AND PROGRAMMING".Fuse Media.RetrievedAugust 6,2015.
  38. ^"Fuse: Fall 2015 - New Network Brand".May 26, 2015.RetrievedOctober 1,2015.
  39. ^"Complex and Fuse Partner for Special TV Programming Block".Complex Networks.November 1, 2017.RetrievedDecember 19,2018.
  40. ^"Complex Brings 'Hot Ones' And 'Sneaker Shopping' To TV".November 20, 2017.RetrievedDecember 19,2018.
  41. ^Lafayette, John (December 31, 2018)."Fuse, Dropped by Comcast, Blasts Operator".MultiChannel News.RetrievedJanuary 1,2019.
  42. ^"TV One Launches New Entertainment Network CLEO TV on January 19, 2019"(Press release). TV Week. November 21, 2018.RetrievedJanuary 1,2019.
  43. ^"Jennifer Lopez-Owned Fuse Media Files For Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection".Deadline. April 23, 2019.RetrievedApril 25,2019.
  44. ^"Pluto TV Adds Fuse TV to Its Lineup".Cord Cutters News.September 3, 2019.RetrievedSeptember 4,2019.
  45. ^"Fuse Media, In Post-Bankruptcy Reset, Is Bought By Latino-Led Management Group".Deadline Hollywood.November 19, 2020.RetrievedNovember 26,2020.
  46. ^"LATINO-LED MANAGEMENT GROUP ACQUIRES MAJORITY, CONTROLLING INTEREST IN FUSE MEDIA".November 19, 2020.RetrievedNovember 26,2020.
  47. ^"FUSE MEDIA KICKS OFF FIRST UPFRONT SINCE BECOMING A LATINO-OWNED COMPANY WITH NEW LAUNCHES, BRAND OPPORTUNITIES AND AUTHENTIC STORIES CELEBRATING BLENDED AMERICA".RetrievedJune 10,2021.
  48. ^"Fuse Launches Streaming Unit Heading Into Upfront".March 23, 2021.RetrievedJune 10,2021.
  49. ^FUSE MEDIA INTRODUCES FUSE+, A NEW PURPOSE-DRIVEN STREAMING SERVICE, JUNE 22, 2021
  50. ^Munson, Ben (December 7, 2021)."Comcast brings back Fuse three years after dropping channel".Fierce Video.RetrievedDecember 17,2021.
  51. ^"Fuse presents" Drake: Live From Radio City Music Hall "Nov. 24 Media Site = Channel Guide Magazine".channelguidemagblog.com. November 19, 2010.RetrievedJuly 18,2011.
  52. ^"Fuse presents" Elton John and Leon Russell Live From the Beacon Theatre "Oct. 19 Media Site = Channel Guide Magazine".channelguidemagblog.com. October 15, 2010.RetrievedJuly 18,2011.
  53. ^"Linkin Park Live MSG Concert on Fuse Presents, Friday February 18".www.zimbio.com.RetrievedJuly 18,2011.
  54. ^"Fuse Presents Red Hot Chili Peppers Live from The Roxy".www.theaudioperv.com.RetrievedSeptember 11,2011.
  55. ^"Meet Our 'Got Ur #' Host, Timothy Dunn".fuse.tv.RetrievedMay 9,2015.
  56. ^"Alexa Chung's American Fuse News TV Show – Brad Pitt's Second Chanel No.5 Video Ad".Elle.October 17, 2012.RetrievedDecember 18,2013.

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fuse_(TV_channel)&oldid=1228578890"