Fuse and NuvoTv will fuse together to create a new network that will focus on millennial viewers with several new shows that will broaden Fuse’s lineup beyond its traditional music-based content, network officials said during an upfront call Wednesday morning (March 4).
Nuvo TV, which launched in 2011 as a rebrand of the Si TV English-language entertainment network targeting Hispanic viewers, will be folded into Fuse during the third quarter. Fuse, which was acquired last summer by Nuvo TV from Madison Square Garden Co., will evolve into a pop culture network targeted to a diverse 18-34 year old audience, which Bill Hilary, president of the recently rechristened Fuse Media, termed “The New Young Americans.”
“The name Nuvo is going away, but the nature and content of Nuvo is not going away,” Hillary said on the conference call, adding "it’s like a marriage” of the two networks.
Hilary said the new Fuse channel will continue to work with Nuvo TV chief creative officer Jennifer Lopez, who will develop an unscripted show for the new Fuse service.
Hilary also said Fuse Media later this year will launch a new network and digital media brand tentatively titled FM that will be music-centric.
“We will be delivering an innovative programming lineup with music at its core but relying heavily on digital as well,” Hilary said.
On the new original programming front, the network Fuse will launch White Guy Talk Show, a daily pop culture talk show featuring a diverse cast and hosted by comedians Grace Parra and Saurin Choksi. The show will be executive produced by Brian McCann (Conan).
The network has greenlit a weekly, music-themed series, Skee TV, starring producer/digital media entrepreneur DJ Skee, debuting April 9, and is working with comedian Gabriel Iglesias to develop a scripted, animated comedy.
