Fusion (TV channel)

Fusion
Launched October 28, 2013 (October 28, 2013)[1]
Owned by Fusion Media Group
(Univision Communications)
Picture format 1080i (HDTV)
(HD feed downgraded to letterboxed 480i for SDTVs)
Slogan Pop Culture. Satire. News. This is Fusion.
Country United States
Language English
Spanish
Broadcast area United States
Headquarters Doral, Florida
Replaced ABC News Now
Sister channel(s) Univision
Univision Noticias
Galavisión
UniMás
Univision Deportes Network
Univision tlnovelas
El Rey Network
Website fusion.net
Availability
Satellite
Dish Network Channel 244 (SD only)
DirecTV Channel 342 (HD only)
Cable
Cablevision/Optimum (ends November 10th)[2][3] Channel 697 (HD)
Channel 156 (SD)
Verizon FiOS Channel 108 (SD only)
Available on other select cable systems (check local listings for channels)
IPTV
AT&T U-verse Channel 1206 (HD)
Channel 206 (SD)
Google Fiber Channel 105 (HD)
Streaming media
Available from select broadband Internet providers Check with a provider for details
Apple TV Fusion
Sling TV Internet Protocol television
PlayStation Vue Internet Protocol television

Fusion is a television cable and satellite news and satire channel owned by Fusion Media Group, an American multi-platform media company that is owned by Univision Communications, which relies in part on the resources of its parent company's news division, Noticias Univision.[4][5] In addition to conventional television distribution, Fusion is also streamed online and on mobile platforms to subscribers of participating cable and satellite providers.[6]

Launched on October 28, 2013, the network's content features news, lifestyle, pop culture, satire and entertainment aimed at English-speaking millennials, including those of a Hispanic background; the channel is Univision's first major push into English-language programming.[7] Fusion is based out of "NewsPort", a converted studio facility at 8551 NW 30th Terrace in the Miami suburb of Doral, Florida that it shares with Noticias Univision and Univision flagship station WLTV-DT; it maintains additional studios in Los Angeles and bureaus in Mexico City, New York City, and Washington, D.C.[5][8]

Background

Apart from being Univision Communications' 1st attempt in the world of English-language cable networks before El Rey Network, Fusion is ABC News' 3rd attempt in the world of 24-hour cable news. In 1982, ABC News and Group W (then a division of Westinghouse) first launched a 24-hour news channel called Satellite News Channel. But due to low clearance from cable systems, both of them sold the channel after just over a year on the air to CNN (a subsidiary of Turner Broadcasting System, which is currently under TimeWarner's control since 1996), which shut it down. 22 years later, in 2004, ABC News launched ABC News Now, which encountered the same problem.

History

In December 2010, the newly appointed president of Noticias Univision, Isaac Lee, announced plans to start a 24-hour English language cable news channel aimed at American Hispanics.[9] Univision Communications would later on, in late 2011, enter into discussions with Walt Disney Company-owned ABC News about entering into a joint venture to develop the channel.[10] The discussions bore fruit with the companies' formal announcement of the channel on May 8, 2012, initially projecting a debut during the first half of 2013[11] (the channel would be given its name, Fusion, in February 2013).[4] On October 4, 2013, the company announced it had named Isaac Lee as Chief Executive Officer to replace interim CEO Beau Ferrari.[12]

Fusion's formal launch date and its initial programming schedule was announced on August 1, 2013.[5] The channel formally launched on October 28, 2013, buoyed earlier in the day by a simulcast of ABC's Good Morning America and Univision's ¡Despierta América! designed to promote Fusion's launch and programming.[13] After leading off with a three-minute musical number at 6:57 p.m. Eastern Time on October 28, 2013,[14] Fusion began regular programming with the debut of America with Jorge Ramos.[15]

Fusion's target audience consists mainly of millennials (roughly the age bracket of adults 18-34), a group generally regarded as digitally fluent and normally favors social media and internet sources to gain news and base opinions, usually eschewing traditional broadcast and print sources. To that end, Fusion gears its programming less towards the constant coverage of breaking news, instead emphasizing context and analysis on news and issues, along with interviews, documentaries, and long-form reports on current events, lifestyle, and pop culture.[7] Fusion also employs an on-air blending of serious topics and discussions that is, more often than not, laced with irreverence and humor (a "common language" among millennials according to host Alicia Menendez) that aims to reduce the air of pretense and seriousness with which other news outlets treat current topics and issues.[13] The "fusion" of seriousness and lighteartedness has been evident in Fusion's primetime lineup: America with Jorge Ramos, in its first week alone, has taken a more conventional approach, featuring interviews with President Barack Obama and United States Senator Ted Cruz,[16] while Alicia Menendez Tonight has featured more personal and less serious topics, and programs including No, You Shut Up have ventured towards irreverence and even satire.[15]

Fusion was originally conceived to primarily attract a younger audience of an English-speaking Hispanic and Latino American background; about one-fifth of millennials are classified as being of Latino descent[13] and have generally been well-acclimated with English language society in the United States, either as emigrants or as U.S. nationals by birth. After receiving some backlash during development over concerns that too much of a focus was placed on ethnicity, Fusion would broaden its scope during its development, aiming to "engage and champion a young, diverse and inclusive America," regardless of cultural or language background.[8] Isaac Lee, who serves as Fusion's CEO in addition to President of News for Univision, has stated that Hispanic millennials see themselves as part of the broad American culture and that "they want to be part of the same room and part of the same conversation" as non-Hispanics.[7][17]

Fusion operates out of a former warehouse in Doral, Florida (billed by staffers as the "Newsport")[18] that is shared with Noticias Univision. Additionally some resources are also shared with ABC News and Noticias Univision[19] (the above-mentioned interview of President Obama, conducted by ABC News correspondent Jim Avila, was one such example of that reliance).[7] However, the network operates separately from ABC's and Univision's news divisions, employing its own on-air talent, correspondents, management, production staff and board of directors.[20] Univision handles programming responsibilities for Fusion, while Disney-ABC Television Group provides advertising sales and handles cable and satellite distribution for the channel.[5] ABC News president Ben Sherwood noted that while the channel will eventually feature all original programming, repurposed content from ABC News and Univision content airs on the channel during late night timeslots, along with paid programming (which has since departed the schedule completely).[21]

In December 2015, it was reported that Disney was in talks to sell its stake in Fusion to Univision.[22] The transaction was complete on April 21, 2016.[23]

The company laid off a large portion of its workforce on November 16, 2016, ahead of the channel's anticipated reorganization in which the assets of Gizmodo Media Group and The Onion would form the new core of the station's programming.[24]

Programming

The initial schedule on Fusion includes programs intended for a younger audience than most cable news shows attract, many of which feature the lively, irreverent approach the network intends to make its hallmark.[1][25] The network has added new shows and made adjustments since its launch, and carries the following shows as of November 2015:

Program Notes
America with Jorge Ramos Reports, analysis, interviews, and discussions on significant news topics hosted by the Noticiero Univision anchor. Originally a daily newscast at Fusion's launch, America moved to once-weekly installments in March 2014, allowing the program and Ramos to do field reports and other long-form features.[26]
Rude Tube British television program that covers humorous online clips presented by English comedian Alex Zane.
Back Home A weekly documentary-style show that follows celebrity guests making voyages to their family's country of origin
Strange Medicine A medical news program hosted by Dr. Juan Rivera, Univision's Chief Medical Correspondent who trained at the prestigious Johns Hopkins Hospital.
The Cannabusiness Report Program looking at the business, facts and culture of legalized marijuana.
The Soccer Gods A weekly program that offers "an irreverent, nuanced, North American perspective" on the sport of soccer and the pomp and passion that surrounds it.
Drug Wars A look at the elite law enforcement fighting drug trafficking.
Naked Truth Investigative series featuring different topics per episode featuring Fusion correspondent Natasha Del Toro.
Nightline on Fusion A Fusion version of the ABC show Nightline
Fusion Investigates The banner name for Fusion's long-form investigative and narrative programming and the team devoted to it, emphasizing "stories that will have an impact," and topics such as the economy, immigration, injustice, and corruption featuring Mariana van Zeller.
The Chris Gethard Show A comedy variety show hosted by Chris Gethard
DocuMental
Unreported World A United Kingdom import from Channel 4.[27]
The Young Turks A current affairs show with progressive commentary with hosts from the online TYT Network

[28]

Former shows

Key personnel

Executive leadership

Key hires

Towards its one-year anniversary, a series of high-profile hires of digital-native journalists[31] created high expectations for the young media company. NPR's David Folkenflik called Fusion "One of the most interesting experiments we've seen in television (...) since the Emergence of Fox News Channel".[32]

Carriage and content distribution

By the time that Disney-ABC and Univision announced the channel's name – Fusion – on February 11, 2013, the channel already signed carriage agreements with major pay television providers including Verizon, Cablevision, Charter Communications, Cox Communications, AT&T U-verse and Google Fiber. Fusion replaced ABC News Now on most cable systems; that network ceased operations on October 28, 2013, the day of Fusion's debut.

The channel is primarily carried on the digital basic tiers of participating providers,[4][5] and premiered to a reach of approximately 20 million homes, one-fifth of the total U.S. households with subscription television services.[7] Fusion is currently seeking carriage on additional providers, with deals pending or not yet reached with notable providers including Comcast and Time Warner Cable. The channel was added to the Dish Network lineup after a new carriage deal was reached between Dish and Disney. Currently the channel on Dish Network airs only in 480i SD.[30][38] On the week of September 22, 2014, Fusion was placed in test mode on DirecTV channel 342 in preparation for launch on the carrier along with sister channel the Longhorn Network.[39] As of November 13, 2014, Longhorn Network and Fusion were removed from test mode as DirecTV and Disney/ESPN were unable to at that time reach a carriage agreement.[40] On December 23, 2014, DirecTV announced a wide-ranging distribution agreement with Disney to carry Fusion in early 2015, The channel went live on January 21, 2015.[41] Fusion's goal, according to Board of Directors member and ABC News president Ben Sherwood, is to reach 60 million homes within five years of its debut.[16]

In addition to its on-air presence, Fusion posts nearly all of its content online through its Fusion.net website and is available via on demand content on Apple TV. The network also plans to have a mobile app for use in smartphones and tablet computers up and running.[30]

References

  1. 1 2 James, Meg (August 1, 2013). "ABC-Univision cable network, FUSION, to launch Oct. 28". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 2, 2013.
  2. ↑ https://www.optimum.net/internet/ "Optimum website: As of November 10, Fusion, Channel 156 (Channel 697 for HD CableCard customers) will no longer be available."
  3. ↑ https://tpc.googlesyndication.com/simgad/6151582600355102083 "Ad on Optimum website: As of November 10, Fusion, Channel 156 (Channel 697 for HD CableCard customers) will no longer be available."
  4. 1 2 3 Kim, Susanna (February 11, 2013). "ABC and Univision Announce New Cable Network 'Fusion' Will Launch Later in 2013". ABC News. Retrieved May 14, 2013.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 Villafane, Veronica (March 5, 2013). "Fusion Gears Up For Late Summer Launch". TV News Check. Retrieved May 14, 2013.
  6. ↑ "About Fusion - FusionLive". Fusionlive.tumblr.com. 2013-10-28. Retrieved 2014-01-28.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 "Univision-ABC channel Fusion launching in a bid for young Latinos," from Los Angeles Times, 10/28/2013
  8. 1 2 "Fusion's Debut Shows Serious, Fun Sides," from TVNewsCheck, 10/29/2013
  9. ↑ "Univision president says he'll start 24-hr news channel". Media Moves. December 17, 2010. Retrieved August 3, 2013.
  10. ↑ Szalai, Georg (February 7, 2012). "ABC News, Univision Discussing English-Language News Network". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 14, 2013.
  11. ↑ James, Meg; Chmielewski, Dawn (May 7, 2012). "ABC News, Univision to launch English-language news network". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 14, 2013.
  12. ↑ "Isaac Lee Named CEO of Fusion". Businesswire.com. 2013-10-04. Retrieved 2014-01-28.
  13. 1 2 3 4 "Fusion Wants Young Latinos To Turn On Their TVs," from NPR's Weekend Edition, 10/26/2013
  14. ↑ "Sign-on video premiering Fusion, from Fusion.net, accessed 10/29/2013
  15. 1 2 "With Fusion’s debut, a bid for laughs and then a serious turn," from Miami Herald, 10/28/2013
  16. 1 2 3 "New U.S. TV network fuses news, satire for young Hispanics," from Retuers, 10/27/2013
  17. ↑ "Univision And ABC News Launch New TV Channel ‘Fusion,’" interview with Isaac Lee from Here & Now (WBUR/NPR), aired 10/28/2013
  18. ↑ "ABC and Univision's love child bursts to life," from Associated Press, 10/19/2013
  19. ↑ James, Meg (May 19, 2011). "Univision plans three new cable TV channels". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 14, 2013.
  20. ↑ Vivian says:. "Fusion names board of directors, reveals more details". Mediamoves.com. Retrieved 2014-01-28.
  21. ↑ Guthrie, Marisa (May 7, 2012). "ABC News, Univision Joint Venture Not Looking to Compete With CNN, MSNBC, Fox News". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 14, 2013.
  22. ↑ https://next.ft.com/content/ec752c9c-a8f9-11e5-955c-1e1d6de94879
  23. ↑ James, Meg. "Walt Disney Co.'s ABC sells its Fusion stake to Univision, exits joint venture". Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 21 April 2016.
  24. ↑ Steinberg, Brian (November 16, 2016). "Fusion Will Lay Off Employees, Use Shows Based on Former Gawker Assets". Variety. Retrieved November 16, 2016.
  25. ↑ Stelter, Brian (August 1, 2013). "Fusion Announces Premiere Date and Prime-Time Schedule". New York Times. Retrieved August 16, 2013.
  26. 1 2 3 "Fusion Added to Dish Network, Shifts Programming," from TVNewser.com, 3/4/2014
  27. ↑ http://deadline.com/2015/11/unreported-world-fusion-series-premiere-1201605933/
  28. ↑ https://tytnetwork.com/tytonfusion/
  29. ↑ "''Open Source with Leon Krauze'' page on". Fusion.net. Retrieved 2014-01-28.
  30. 1 2 3 "Meet Fusion, The ABC-Univision Frankenbaby That Wants Millennials To Laugh And Get Their News On," from BuzzFeed, 10/27/2013
  31. ↑ Fusion Hires Alexis Madrigal of TheAtlantic.com to Bolster Tech Coverage from The New York Times
  32. ↑ AUDIO: Fusion Marks One Year In News from NPR's Here and Now radio program
  33. ↑ Fusion Names Jane Spencer Its Editor for Digital Content - NYTimes.com
  34. ↑ Jezebel’s Anna Holmes Lands at Fusion, Too - Recode.net
  35. ↑ Felix Salmon to Take On Web-Based Role at Fusion - NYTimes.com
  36. ↑ Fusion Interactive Team pushes boundaries of storytelling - Knight Foundation
  37. ↑ Fusion expected to name Tim Pool its Director of Media Innovation - NYTimes.com
  38. ↑ Disney and Dish Ink Long-Term Deal, Giving Satcaster Internet-Streaming Rights to Live TV - Variety
  39. ↑ Transponder Maps: Domestic & LatinAm - Dbstalk.com
  40. ↑ DIRECTV Rumor Alert - SatelliteGuys
  41. ↑ DIRECTV and The Walt Disney Company Sign Expansive Agreement - DirecTV.com
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