or


[05/09/06 - 12:00 AM]
USA Network Upfront: USA Characters "Clique" with Digital

[via press release from USA]

USA NETWORK UPFRONT: USA CHARACTERS "CLIQUE" WITH DIGITAL

Network Aggressively Ramps Up Digital, Broadband and FOD Initiatives

NEW YORK -- May 9, 2006 -- Demonstrating its aggressive commitment to digital initiatives, USA Network announced that its summer marquee series will be made available on digital and Free On Demand (FOD) platforms. In a cable first, beginning June 30, one week before its broadcast premiere, USA Network will make available the season premiere episodes of MONK and its newest series PSYCH on cable, satellite and telco free on demand (FOD) digital services. Incorporating its Characters Welcome branding into the digital domain, the network will also unveil its new content-rich online broadband video player, entitled USA characterclique, on May 12.

"These FOD 'firsts' and our proprietary broadband player are indicative of USA's on-going efforts to find new and innovative ways to promote our shows across multiple platforms," said Chris McCumber, USA's senior vice president, marketing and brand strategy. "We're thrilled to offer viewers the power to choose when, where and how they interact with our content."

"This is a fantastic opportunity for our distribution partners to participate in USA's multi-platform promotions," commented Jean-Briac Perrette, senior vice president of New Media and chief financial officer, NBC Universal Cable. "Distributors can showcase their broadband and on demand offerings to help drive digital growth and provide viewers with hit shows and the compelling content they're looking for."

These significant offerings are indicative of USA Network's innovative summer marketing efforts, which also include extensive mobile programs, as well as the overall integration of NBC Universal's "TV 360" initiative.

MONK & PSYCH FREE-ON-DEMAND

Recognizing the power of on-demand and broadband opportunities to its distribution partners, USA Network will offer unique FOD and broadband promotional content for MONK and its newest series PSYCH as part of its summer marketing efforts. The premiere episodes of both MONK and PSYCH will premiere first on FOD June 30, one week prior to the USA Network broadcast premieres on July 7.

In a channel and NBCU first, the premieres of the two shows will help drive awareness of digital offerings and increase ratings through in-kind marketing support by its cable operators. This marks the first time ever that a top-rated program will premiere prior to the broadcast airing on both on demand and broadband platforms simultaneously. On a weekly basis, viewers will have exclusive access to the first 3-4 minutes from upcoming MONK episodes in addition to ancillary promotional content including behind-the-scenes footage, webisodes and actor interviews.

TV 360, USA BROADBAND PLAYER AND MOBILE

As part of NBC Universal's commitment to TV 360 content, every USA Network show will have a unique broadband component giving viewers access to their favorite characters anytime, anywhere. Recent examples include the Show Us Your Character Social Networking Community whereby members upload videos, photos and profiles; NASHVILLE STAR video blogs and companion web series; the award-winning Monk's Mind Game, and coming soon Psych's Memory Game.

On May 12, USA will launch a new broadband video player, entitled USA characterclique, with user-generated content, mashups, parodies and original webisodes from the network's top-rated series, exclusive behind the scenes and in development, short-form character-themed programming. In the near future, USA will also stream full episodes of the network's marquee shows.

On the Mobile front, USA will engage its fans in a summer-long mobile text-messaging program in support of THE 4400, PSYCH and MONK. The program offers viewers the opportunity to connect with their favorite characters from their most beloved series on the network at anytime, any place. Users can register online at usanetwork.com or via cell phone. By example, the weekly PSYCH SMS content package will include tune-in alerts, weekly character updates and two SMS Watch & Win questions where participants can win weekly prizes or go online to answer multiple choice questions.

For photos of USA NETWORK PROJECTS, please log on to the NBC Universal Media Village at http://www.nbcumv.com/.

USA NETWORK is cable television's leading provider of original series and feature movies, sports and entertainment events, off-net television shows, and blockbuster theatrical films. The #1 basic cable network across the board in 1Q06, USA Network is seen in 90 million U.S. homes. The USA Network Web site is located at www.usanetwork.com. Characters Welcome.

USA Network is a program service of NBC Universal Cable a division of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience.





  [may 2006]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
 


· 4400, THE (USA)
· MONK (USA)
· NASHVILLE STAR (NBC)
· PSYCH (USA)





[08/26/26 - 10:45 AM]
"Survivor" Reveals the 21 New Castaways Competing on the 51st Edition - The First in the Series' New "Open Era" - With a Two-Hour Season Premiere on Wednesday, Sept. 23
The groundbreaking reality series, which shifts to 90-minute weekly episodes beginning Wednesday, September 30 at 8:00 PM, returns with an all-new expanded class of dynamic and determined competitors.

[08/26/26 - 10:18 AM]
BET Brings Chris "CP" Powell's Acclaimed Comedy Special "Sunday After Six" to Screens September 1
Host of the revived "ComicView: Rooftop Series," Chris "CP" Powell brings his 90-minute stand-up special to the screen, centered on relatable life experiences and everyday scenarios as a Black man.

[08/26/26 - 10:05 AM]
TNT Sports Unveils Blockbuster 72-Game NHL on TNT Schedule for 2026-27 NHL Regular Season, Starting Wednesday, Sept. 30
The season will culminate with TNT Sports' presentation of the 2027 Stanley Cup Playoffs, including the 2027 Stanley Cup Final exclusively on TNT Sports platforms.

[08/26/26 - 10:03 AM]
ESPN Announces 100 Exclusive National Hockey League Games for 2026-27 Season
Of the 100 exclusive games, 53 matchups will be available on ESPN and ABC, while the remaining 47 matchups can be streamed on ESPN+, Disney+ and Hulu.

[08/26/26 - 10:01 AM]
What's New on HBO Max This September
Highlights include Sharon Horgan's comedy "Youth" on September 20 and "4 Blocks" prequel series "4 Blocks Zero" on September 25.

[08/26/26 - 09:48 AM]
"Dolly: An NBC News Special" to Air Tonight at 9 P.M. ET
Anchored by Lester Holt, "Dolly: An NBC News Special" will look back at Parton's remarkable journey to stardom, her groundbreaking career and her lasting impact far beyond music.

[08/26/26 - 09:14 AM]
The 41st Annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards, Hosted by Kirk Franklin, Airs Sunday, August 30, on BET
Taped in Charlotte, North Carolina, at the Spectrum Center under this year's theme, "Feels Like Home," the ceremony brings together gospel's most celebrated artists, trailblazers, and rising stars for a night of worship, inspiration, and world-class performances.

[08/26/26 - 09:05 AM]
ESPN Premieres "Shooting Stars" and "13.4 Seconds to Nowhere" Aug. 27
The films were developed through a collaboration between ESPN, ESPN Deportes and Tribeca Studios to bring to life compelling stories at the intersection of sports and the Latino community.

[08/26/26 - 09:01 AM]
Video: Date, Key Art & Trailer Debut - Hulu's "The Secret Lives Of Mormon Wives" Season Five
Season five premieres with all five episodes on Thursday, September 10 on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ for bundle subscribers in the U.S. and Disney+ internationally.

[08/26/26 - 09:01 AM]
"Jay-Z in 8," An HBO Original Documentary Series, Debuts September 18
In Rick Rubin's directorial documentary debut, the series unfolds over many hours of candid conversation between two creative superstars.

[08/26/26 - 09:01 AM]
Video: BritBox Debuts Official Trailer and Key Art for "Agatha Christie's Tommy & Tuppence," Premiering September 15th
In the first contemporary English language television adaptation of Agatha Christie's stories, Tommy and Tuppence are a detective duo for the ages.

[08/26/26 - 08:46 AM]
Disney+ Greenlights New Romantic Comedy from Element Pictures and Sinestra
"Mad Love" (w/t) follows Maddy Caruso, a British wedding planner, for an eclectic list of clients in the stunning Italian countryside.

[08/26/26 - 08:01 AM]
Video: "Wonka's The Golden Ticket" - Official Trailer - Netflix
In this one-of-a-kind reality competition, lucky players step inside Wonka's chocolate factory to face unpredictable games, tests and temptations.

[08/26/26 - 08:01 AM]
Unsuspecting Homeowners Get the Ultimate Renovation Surprise in New HGTV Series "House Shock" Premiering Tuesday, Sept. 22, at 9 pm ET/PT
Arielle Vandenberg will team up with expert contractor Steve Lewis to help pull off surprise overhauls of spaces the recipients have dreamed of updating, whether neglected, abandoned or just plain despised.

[08/26/26 - 08:00 AM]
Fever-Sky on "Sunday Night Basketball" on NBC and Peacock Is the Most-Watched WNBA Regular-Season Game Since Opening Weekend of League's Inaugural 1997 Season
The game peaked at 3.82 million viewers.