Transcendent has highest-rated series premiere in Fuse network history

NEW YORK AND LOS ANGELES – Fuse (www.fuse.tv), a national television network for the fast-growing, culturally-diverse generation of influencers and tastemakers, ages 18-34 – has had a strong first week following its September 30 re-launch.  This includes the new top original series premieres in network history among Adults 18-34 (TRANSCENDENT) as well as Adults 18-49, Households and Persons 2+ (FLUFFY BREAKS EVEN).  Additionally, BIG FREEDIA: QUEEN OF BOUNCE remains a winning series for the network, with the season four premiere delivering the highest-ever season premiere on Fuse in the 18-34 demo.  (Source unless otherwise noted Nielsen Live+3 Day data.)

The Fuse original programming line-up also performed strongly among its core Latino and multicultural audiences.  For example, FLUFFY BREAKS EVEN delivered 83 percent more Hispanic viewers than the network delivered on average in 3Q 2015. Additionally, TRANSCENDENT and BIG FREEDIA attracted audiences that were 79 percent and 75 percent African American, respectively – significantly higher than the network’s previous 3Q 2015 (53 percent) and 2015 year-to-date (47 percent) averages.

“When we made the decision to re-launch Fuse as a network that goes beyond its music roots, we knew that our success would rest largely on the audience reception to original programming that is provocative, honest and relevant to young, Latino and multicultural Millennials.  One week in, and we are already seeing our investment in unique talent and creative storytellers pay off,” said Fuse Media President Bill Hilary.  “This is of course only the first step, and we can’t wait to roll out the rest of our new line-up as this new Fuse brand continues to grow.”

On September 30, the first night of the new Fuse featured the television premiere of THE FLUFFY MOVIE starring Gabriel Iglesias (the popular comedian affectionately known as “Fluffy”) at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT, followed by the season four premiere of BIG FREEDIA: QUEEN OF BOUNCE at 11 p.m. and new series TRANSCENDENT at 11:30 p.m.  With Millennial Adults 18-34, this line-up drove the Wednesday night viewership to triple-digit percentage growth from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. when compared to the both year-to-date (+325%) and year ago (+410%) October 2014 time period averages.  Fuse also reached nearly 1.3 million viewers in that time period.

Additionally, the television premiere of THE FLUFFY MOVIE was the network’s top movie premiere in the past 21 months among Persons 12-34 and Adults 18-49. The comedy concert film featuring Iglesias delivered  +452% above the 2015 year-to-date Fuse movie premiere average and +370% above year ago Prime average (October 2014).

On October 1, the second night of the new Fuse featured the 10 p.m. ET/PT premiere of Iglesias’ original series FLUFFY BREAKS EVEN, preceded by an encore telecast of THE FLUFFY MOVIE, driving triple-digit growth among Fuse’s Adults 18-34 audience for Thursday night (8 p.m. to 1 a.m.), ahead of both the year-to-date (+125%) and last October (+170%). Additionally, Fuse reached 1.2 million viewers in that time period.

On Friday, October 2nd, the Fuse re-launch week concluded with the season two premiere of SKEE TV at 10 p.m. ET/PT. The talk show featuring live music performances and segments hosted by award-winning DJ, producer, digital media pioneer and entrepreneur DJ Skee was the most watched episode of SKEE TVever. The episode featured “White Iverson” rapper Post Malone, actor Josh Peck from the new Fox series “Grandfathered,” and rising rap star Super Duper Kyle.

As previously announced, Fuse continues to roll out its new line-up this month with the following programming set to premiere in the coming weeks:

·         GABRIEL IGLESIAS PRESENTS: THE GENTLEMAN JERRY ROCHA (original special, premieres Saturday, October 17 at 10 p.m. ET/PT) – Being a gentleman has always come easy to Jerry Rocha, which of course depends on how you define the word “gentleman.” Gabriel Iglesias once again presents one of the most exciting voices in stand-up today in THE GENTLEMAN JERRY ROCHA. Rocha’s hilarious perspective on everything from dating younger women to watching older movies is sure to have you laughing and nodding along in approval to this anything but gentle, don’t miss, comedy. It is produced by Gabriel Iglesias, Arsonhouse Entertainment and Levity Productions.

·         REVEALED (new series, premieres Saturday, October 24 at 7 p.m. ET/PT) – This Fuse original series showcases an artist’s body of work from his or her point of view through unique interview and behind-the-scenes footage in the studio and on set.  Using the artist’s music videos as the soundtrack, each episode gives the viewer an exclusive look into the backstory, creative process, and the ups and downs of life as a musician.  Episodes this season focus on Trey Songz, Jason Derulo, Ciara, Nate Ruess, Bebe Rexha and Ed Sheeran.  REVEALED is a Fuse Networks production.