(New York, NY) February 19, 2004 – Fuse, the only all-music, viewer-influenced network, announced today Robert Weiss has been named to the newly-created position, Head of Programming. Mr. Weiss will be spearheading the overall creative content and strategic initiatives for Fuse. He will report directly to Fuse president Marc Juris.
Mr. Weiss will oversee all development and production of original programming, as well as the day-to-day oversight of the network’s on-air promotions, program scheduling, acquisitions and talent departments. He will also be responsible for the network’s digital content, including online and new media programming.
“With the addition of Robert’s stellar talent, Fuse is amping up the network’s momentum and success,” said Mr. Juris. “Robert is a remarkably creative and talented executive whose perspective and insight on connecting with viewers, combined with a great ability to create compelling music entertainment, make him ideally suited to help lead Fuse. We are thrilled he is bringing his creative relationships and empowering management style to the incredibly passionate, talented team at Fuse.”
Known as an innovator and prodigious trend spotter, Mr. Weiss joins Fuse from VH1 where he spent more than two years, most recently as Head of East Coast Development. In this capacity, he developed highly-rated series such as “True Spin,” “One-Hit Wonders,” “VH1 Goes Inside” and “Surviving Nugent.” He also oversaw the re-development of the franchise series, “The Greatest” – including the10-hour miniseries, “200 Greatest Pop Culture Icons.”
Mr. Weiss joined VH1 in 2001 from FX Networks where he was the Executive Consultant of Original Programming, supervising all the drama and comedy series development for FX Networks. While at FX Networks, he helped develop the Emmy-award winning series, “The Shield.” Prior to his tenure at FX Networks, Weiss served as Senior Vice President of Alternative Programming for All American Television. While there, Weiss oversaw the development and executive produced the Emmy-nominated variety series, “Penn & Teller’s Sin City Spectacular.”
As a producer and writer, Mr. Weiss has created shows for a wide array of broadcast, cable, syndication and new media companies. With more than one thousand hours of television to his credit, he has worked with ABC, The WB Network, NBC, Lifetime, Animal Planet, FOX, The Discovery Channel, The Learning Channel, Tribune Entertainment, Buena Vista Productions, FX Networks, Warner Brothers Television, Chris-Craft Television and MTV.
Mr. Weiss earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Journalism at Northwestern University. In recent years, Variety has named Weiss as one of the top fifty up-and-coming “creative forces” in Hollywood. In addition, Weiss has been named to the Electronic Media Hot List, which identifies the top twelve people 35-years or younger to watch in the television industry.
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 Rainbow Media Holdings LLC
A leader in sports, news and entertainment programming, Rainbow Media Holdings LLC is a subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation (NYSE:CVC). Rainbow Media owns and manages national networks: AMC, Fuse, IFC (The Independent Film Channel) and WE: Women’s Entertainment; as well as the on-demand services: Mag Rack, Uncensored On Demand, World Picks On Demand and World Picks Networks. Rainbow Media’s other businesses include its regional programming services – MetroChannels, News 12 Networks and Rainbow Sports Networks – in addition to the Rainbow Advertising Sales Corporation and Rainbow Network Communications. Rainbow Media is also a 50 percent partner in Fox Sports Net.