(June 16, 2004, Dulles, VA and New York, NY) – Fuse, the nation's only all-music, viewer-influenced music network, and the RED service, America Online's all-new online experience for teens, announced today that they are joining forces to give teens live, up-to-the-minute coverage of the 2004 Vans Warped Tour, the U.S.'s longest-running music festival tour, which combines a mix of alternative music and extreme sports.
As the exclusive broadcast presenter of the tour, Fuse will air "Warped Wednesdays," a weekly programming slate of up-to-the-minute coverage and programming tied around the 2004 Vans Warped Tour. Every Wednesday all summer long between 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM (EST), Fuse's air will be overtaken by the hottest bands on the tour, hosting hours of their favorite music videos and sharing their Warped road stories. Later in the day, fans can then tune-in to Fuse's live daily studio telecast between 6:00 – 7:00 PM (EST) or go online at AOL's RED service for a final fix of tour updates, news and exclusive interviews from the road hosted by AOL RED personality Rob Czar.
Rob Czar is the former host of NBC's "Operation Junkyard" and the Emmy-award winning "WAMI on Miami" on USA Broadcasting.
"Fuse is excited to partner with the RED service to bring music fans exclusive coverage of the hottest music ticket this summer – the Vans Warped Tour," said Marc Juris, president of Fuse. "On-air and online all summer long, only Fuse and RED will keep Warped's legions of fans connected to the best artist interviews, performances and news from the road."
"We are thrilled to join forces with Fuse to give the best ever coverage of one of the coolest events for teens, the Vans Warped Tour," said Malcolm Bird, Senior Vice President and General Manager Kids and Teens America Online. "City by city, across the country, Rob Czar will be on the scene on Fuse and the RED service giving teens the latest buzz from the tour and exclusive band interviews they can't get anywhere else."
About AOL RED
The RED service is an all-new online experience created exclusively by
America Online for teens. America Online, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Time
Warner Inc. Based in Dulles, Virginia, America Online is the world's leader
in interactive services, Web brands, Internet technologies and e-commerce
services.
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 .
About Vans Wapred Tour
Founded in 1995, the Vans Warped Tour is the longest-running music festival
tour in the world, uniquely combining live alternative music performances with
extreme sports performances and games. This year's tour will visit over 36
cities and feature more than 70 different bands including New Found Glory, Good
Charlotte, Simple Plan, NOFX.