August 24, 2000–MuchMusic USA, the all-music, all-the-time network, announced today the full launch of the MuchMusic Front Row Concerts, which is being co-sponsored by AT&T Broadband, a unit of AT&T that provides television entertainment services to more than 16 million customers across the nation. The series is scheduled to kick off on October 4th with a concert by the multi-platinum selling mega group, Hanson, performing at Chicago’s House of Blues nightclub.
Chicago residents will have the opportunity to enter the Hanson In The House Sweepstakes where one grand prize winner will receive tickets for him/herself and 15 friends to see Hanson perform at the Chicago House of Blues nightclub on October 4, 2000. They will have the opportunity to meet the band and be on TV. The grand prize will also receive winner limousine transportation, dinner and CD’s. Five first-place winners will receive two tickets to attend the concert, a CD player and CD’s. Ten second-place winners will receive CD’s and MuchMusic premiums.
The Hanson in the House Sweepstakes begins August 24, 2000 and ends September 18, 2000. Entry forms are available at any participating AT&T service office (Schaumburg- 1500 McConnor Parkway; Skokie- 9651 Gross Point Road; Mt. Prospect- 350 N. Wolf Road; and Streamwood- 318 Roma Jean Parkway) or any Discovery clothing store in the Chicago area. Participants can also log onto www.muchevents.com (AT&T Home Customers click “Chicagoland”). Entries will also be accepted by calling toll free 1-877-MUCHTIX (1-877-682-4849). Winners will be notified no later then September 27, 2000.
This concert will be taped live-to-air October 21, 2000 at 8 p.m. (CST), on MuchMusic (channel 476) and AT&T’s local origination channel (channel 3). Additionally, there will be a live virtual chat with Hanson at 7 p.m. (CST), courtesy of Worlds.com.
“We are very excited to partner with AT&T Broadband and bring MuchMusic’s first Front Row Concert to Chicago. MuchMusic’s audience is extremely comfortable with new technologies and has an appetite for unique, interactive content,” said Elaine Ching-McEntee, MuchMusic USA’s director of marketing. “The MuchMusic Front Row Concert Series will provide viewers with the opportunity to experience their favorite bands in a truly unique, interactive setting.”
“Our goal is always to provide unique, valuable content to our customers. Working with
MuchMusic, we hope to increase awareness of the fresh, innovative content we provide via our
digital tiers and broadband service,” added Mike Lovett, Regional Vice President, North Suburban Chicago for AT&T Broadband.
The Hanson show is the first of the MuchMusic Front Row Concert series. The all-music, all-the-time network is planning concerts in other cities across the United States over the next year. Each concert launched through this initiative will include extensive promotion before and during the event. The campaign will include promotion and ticket giveaways with local radio stations, extensive television and newspaper advertising, on-campus promotion with local colleges and promotion on the MuchMusic USA and AT&T Chicago Web sites. The program will include a sweepstakes to enable one winner and 15 friends to attend the taping of the concert and a VIP party with the band. The promotional campaign is scheduled to begin late this summer.
MuchMusic USA is a state-of-the-art music television network featuring a diverse playlist with live, spontaneous, interactive programming. The all-music, all-the-time network provides an unprecedented showcase for emerging and established artists from around the world. Programming consists of musical series, concerts and videos for an eclectic audience ranging from rock, pop, and alternative, to blues, metal, rap, jazz and folk. MuchMusic produces up to 13 hours of live programming each day from its high-tech television facility and has established an international reputation for its pioneering approach to interactive programming, bringing music artists to a passionate audience.
Rainbow Media Holdings, Inc., a subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation and NBC, is at the forefront of innovation in cable programming. Rainbow manages American Movie Classics, Romance Classics, Bravo, The Independent Film Channel, MuchMusic USA, Rainbow Sports, News 12 Networks and MetroChannels as well as the Rainbow Advertising Sales Corporation and Rainbow Network Communications.
AT&T Broadband, a business unit of AT&T, is one of the nation’s largest broadband services companies, providing analog and digital television entertainment services to about 16 million customers across the nation. The company also provides advanced services, such as high-speed cable Internet services and competitive local phone service. AT&T Corp. (NYSE:ATT) is the world’s leader in telecommunications services and technology.
Contact:
Dan Klores Associates, Inc. – Public Relations
Sean Cassidy (212) 981-5233
Stacy Fusaro (212) 981-5259