And Drive Content of Viewer-Driven All-Music Network
Service Marks the Latest Step in Cable Network's Total Convergence Strategy
New York, NY, May 27, 2003 – Fuse (the network formerly known as "muchmusic usa") has launched Fuse On Your Mobile, a new interactive service that allows music fans to remain connected to their favorite viewer-driven, all-music channel anytime, anywhere, by pointing their Web-enabled wireless phones to mobile.fuse.tv. The technology utilized in the new service is being provided by WINK Interactive LLC, the mobile branding and publishing solutions company.
"Fuse is all about music by the audience — not music by the company — with a play list and rich programming schedule largely determined by viewers' input on our web site, and now via 'Fuse On Your Mobile,'" states Michael Goldstein, Fuse's vice president of Interactive Programming. "We're pleased to give Fuse viewers a new medium by which to voice their opinions and requests and stay connected to their favorite shows, artists and bands. With Fuse On Your Mobile, wireless music fans will never be out of touch!"
"WINK's real-time Fuse applications will give the devoted music fan a compelling experience that bridges the gap between mediums that were destined to collide," said David Harper, vice president of WINK Interactive. Added William Munch, president of WINK, "I believe this is the first time where TV viewers will use a mobile application to interact directly with their televisions and submit live dedications' and much more."
"Fuse On Your Mobile" features include:
What's On Now – This area of "Fuse On Your Mobile" gives mobile phone users up-to-the-minute programming information and descriptions of upcoming specials and events.
Oven Fresh – This Fuse show lets viewers decide which videos should stay or go. New videos are showcased every week, but only five make it to the weekend "Oven Fresh Keepers" show. Fuse Mobile users can review new video offerings and vote to keep or sweep them off the play list via their cell phones. "Fuse On Your Mobile" also offers a special "current standings" listing only for mobile voters, who can compare their votes with those of the slightly less tech-oriented web surfers who vote via www.fuse.tv.
Dedicate Live – Music-lovers can use their mobile phones to join this live show and select from the day's list of videos, choose a dedication category (Love, Hate, Sorry, Secret Crush, others), key-in their dedication, and then watch the show live on Fuse from 5-6 pm (ET) to see if it airs. Fuse has created a special on-air graphic that lets viewers know when they're watching a dedication that was submitted via a cell phone.
Waddayawant – By giving wireless users direct access to Fuse's Programming Department, this feature gives Fuse fans another way to share their opinions on what videos should be played.
"Fuse On Your Mobile" works on most phones that have a web-enabled mobile browser and is optimized for the Openwave's Mobile Browser 4.1.22b and higher. Users only need to fire up their mobile browser, point it to mobile.fuse.tv to begin. Users looking to first "test drive" the service can do so by going to the Fuse Web site at www.fuse.tv
, clicking on "Fuse On Your Mobile" link in the main navigation to get to the feature page, and clicking the "let's get started" button to try out a web version of the mobile service.
About WINK Interactive LLC
Cold Spring Harbor, NY – based WINK Interactive provides enabling mobile publishing applications, mobile community portal solutions, and managed wireless application services for network operators, mobile content providers and mobile device manufacturers. WINK also develops custom applications for major brands by integrating its technology with established
marketing channels to offer mobile subscribers an extension of the brand in a mobile environment.
WINK's revolutionary, award-winning, patent-pending mobile portal technology, WINKsite(tm) has been created to change the face of the mobile Internet – making it easier for, and more accessible to, the masses. WINK's vision is that Mobile Internet adoption will exponentially accelerate through pervasive Mobile Personal Portals, which by integrating personalized content and communication technologies will drive personal productivity and community. More information is available by visiting www.winkinteractive.com and www.winksite.com
About Fuse
Fuse is the nation's only all-music, viewer-influenced television network, featuring music videos, exclusive artist interviews, live concerts and specials — all rooted in music. 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.
Fuse is a network of Rainbow Media Holdings, Inc, the programming subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE:CVC). A leader in sports, news and entertainment programming, Rainbow owns and manages national and regional networks including AMC, WE: Women's Entertainment and IFC.