Fusion and Cheddar, the financial news network focused on younger audiences, have teamed on a ten-episode, unscripted interview series -- The Point With Jon Steinberg– that will premiere on Fusion on Thursday, Feb. 15 at 10:30 p.m. ET.
Each half-hour, weekly episode will have Cheddar founder and CEO Jon Steinberg conduct interviews with top executives spanning the business, finance, media, entertainment and tech sectors.
The premiere episode will feature Arianna Huffington, CEO of Thrive Global, and Gary Vaynerchuk, CEO of VaynerMedia.
Future episodes will feature one-on-ones with Cooper Hefner, chief creative officer of Playboy; Michele Promaulayko, editor-in-chief, Cosmopolitan; Ray J, hip-hop artist and founder, Raycon; Nash Grier, YouTube/internet personality; chef Danny Bowien, co-founder, Mission Chinese Food; Elana Karp, head chef & culinary co-founder, Plated; Erika Nardini, CEO, Barstool Sports; Jenna Wolfe, host of First Things First on Fox Sports; and Lyn Slater, The Accidental Icon/Influencer.
Financial terms tied to the new project were not announced, though the agreement stems from a partnership formed by Cheddar and Fusion that’s focused on original, long-form programming.
The series will run exclusively on Fusion to start (MVPD partners include DirecTV/AT&T, Dish Network, Verizon, Google Fiber, Charter Communications and Cox Communications along with several OTT partners). However, Cheddar can re-air episodes of the series later. Cheddar will also promote the new series.
“Our audience craves enriching programming that shares their curiosity, sharpness, and passion,” Daniel Eilemberg, president of Fusion, said in a statement. “We are excited to see the intimate, engaging interviews that have become a staple of Cheddar translated into a long-form format."
Steinberg added: “Fusion’s young, modern approach makes it a great partner for Cheddar and we are thrilled to be expanding our relationship with them. So many of the existing business interview shows are geared towards older audiences and we are excited to have a chance to produce engaging long-form interviews with a range of entrepreneurs that people in their 20s and 30s will be inspired by.”
