|
MSN Presents the Ultimate in Online Rock 'n' Roll: "Rock Star: Supernova" Premieres July 5 Only on MSN
Exclusive online programming and special live events mark the return of the
hit CBS series.
REDMOND, Wash., June 29 -- MSN today announced
the premiere of online programming for "Rock Star: Supernova," the new
season of the hit reality series returning to CBS in a special 90-minute
broadcast on Wednesday, July 5 at 8 p.m. EDT/PDT. Before its broadcast
premiere, "Rock Star: Supernova" -- produced by Mark Burnett Productions
and seen last season by more than 6 million TV viewers each week -- will
premiere only on MSN(R) the morning of July 3, available on demand at the
official series Web site (http://rockstar.msn.com).
For the first time, weekly behind-the-scenes episodes containing all
original footage will be streamed exclusively on the Web on MSN. Just as in
season one, four types of content will be available each week: extensive
and immersive behind-the-scenes unscripted drama (produced exclusively for
MSN); one performance show and one results show (both produced exclusively
for CBS); and extensive original wireless content. The MSN
behind-the-scenes unscripted drama will allow viewers to learn what it
takes for the contestants to choose their songs and prepare for their
weekly performances, and to follow the characters as they develop and grow
under enormous pressure. It will be available at http://rockstar.msn.com,
enabling on-demand viewing via streaming. In addition, a sneak peek at the
trailer, video interviews with Supernova, the rockers' bios and much more
as part of the MSN-exclusive online content will be available on the site.
The second season of "Rock Star" features an all-star lineup of rock
musicians who have joined forces to form a new supergroup called Supernova.
Drummer Tommy Lee of Motley Crue, former Metallica guitarist Jason Newsted
and former Guns N' Roses guitarist Gilby Clarke will be casting for a lead
singer from a pool of 15 contestants selected in auditions across the U.S.
MSN content, which greatly increased the reach of the show last season
by streaming more than 20 million videos and receiving millions of votes
for contestants in the competition, will again offer visitors a close-up
and personal experience of life in the rock 'n' roll fast lane. Programming
will include original behind-the-scenes video footage, replays of
contestant performances, music downloads, contestant profiles, photo
galleries, stories about Supernova, and contestants' blogs on MSN Spaces.
Online viewing of the TV show and online voting for contestants will be
available only on MSN Video.
"'Rock Star' is a like a force of nature -- it's an enormously exciting
project that has millions of fans, and it allows us to show how compelling
interactive online entertainment content can be," said Rob Bennett, general
manager of Entertainment and Video Services for MSN. "This season we're
doing lots of fabulous programming around 'Rock Star' to enrich the TV
viewers' experience and to provide visitors to MSN with the kind of
off-the-charts entertainment experiences we've promised. Anyone who loves
loud music and spends time online will want to catch all the rock 'n' roll
action of 'Rock Star: Supernova.'"
"Rock Star" on the Road
Also new this year are MSN "Live Like a Rockstar" events, which will be
kicked off at the legendary Roxy Theater in Los Angeles on July 13 with
live performances by The Panic Channel, a new band featuring former members
of Jane's Addiction, and an opening act. Exclusive scenes of the new season
of "Rock Star" will be screened at the show, and radio station Star 98.7
will feature live remote broadcasts from the event to promote MSN
entertainment content and build traffic to the "Rock Star" Web site. This
major event will also be presented in Chicago, Boston and New York on dates
to be announced. Tickets are available only via promotional offerings to
"Rock Star" fans, who may also participate in a variety of contests on the
MSN "Rock Star" site.
"MSN is really turning up the volume and creating a lot of excitement
for the return of 'Rock Star,'" said Mark Burnett, creator and executive
producer of "Rock Star: Supernova." "The show's popularity last season had
a lot to do with the fantastic online experience MSN provided visitors to
the site. This is what entertainment today is all about: synergy across
multiple platforms. MSN is playing a huge role in bringing interactive
entertainment and a wide range of rich content to broadband. We're thrilled
to collaborating with MSN on this breakthrough series."
The Dream of Being a Star Rocker Comes True
Last season on "Rock Star," the rock sensation INXS auditioned for a
new lead singer. Canadian heartthrob JD Fortune was selected to front the
band, which has since recorded and released a new CD, "Switch," that
debuted in the Billboard Top 20 and is currently going gold and platinum in
countries around the world. INXS' hit single, "Pretty Vegas," has helped
the band sell out every concert on its North American tour.
Dave Navarro and Brooke Burke return to host "Rock Star: Supernova." In
one of several changes being made for the second season of the series, a
music celebrity or rock legend will appear as a guest on the show each
week. The winner of the competition will record an original CD with
Supernova, to be co- written and produced by Butch Walker, Rolling Stone
Magazine's 2005 "Hot Producer of the Year." The CD will be released in the
fall and will be supported by a worldwide tour in early 2007.
"Rock Star: Supernova" will air on CBS Tuesdays at 9 p.m. EDT/PDT and
Wednesdays at 8 p.m. EDT/PDT. Exclusive episodes on MSN will be available
every Monday on demand at http://rockstar.msn.com.
About Mark Burnett Productions
Mark Burnett Productions (MBP) is a leading production company in the
world of prime-time nonfiction television. MBP revolutionized television
with hits such as "Eco-Challenge," "Survivor," "The Apprentice," "The
Contender" and "Rock Star." MBP also successfully reintroduced product
placement as an integral part of each of its shows and has garnered a total
of 33 Emmy nominations since 2001. Mark Burnett was listed as the #1 Most
Valuable Player by TV Guide and in Time Magazine's Top 100 most influential
people in the world today.
About MSN Video
MSN Video is one of the largest video-only streaming services on the
Web, watched by more than 11 million unique users per month. In addition to
streaming news, entertainment and sports video clips from more than 45
content partners, MSN Video presents a broad array of live events to online
audiences worldwide. More than 50 top advertisers support MSN Video, which
is available to consumers at no charge. MSN Video is available on the Web
at http://msnvideo.com to consumers in the U.S. MSN Video is also live in
Australia, Canada and Japan, and in Spanish in the U.S.; the service also
is in beta testing in the U.K.
About MSN and Windows Live
MSN attracts more than 465 million unique users worldwide per month.
With localized versions available globally in 42 markets and 21 languages,
MSN is a world leader in delivering compelling programmed content
experiences to consumers and online advertising opportunities to businesses
worldwide. Windows Live(TM), a new set of personal Internet services and
software, is designed to bring together in one place all the relationships,
information and interests people care about most, with enhanced safety and
security features across their PC, devices and the Web. MSN and Windows
Live will be offered alongside each other as complementary services. Some
Windows Live services entered an early beta phase on Nov. 1, 2005; these
and future beta updates can be found at http://ideas.live.com. Windows Live
is available at http://www.live.com. MSN is located on the Web at
http://www.msn.com. MSN worldwide sites are located at
http://www.msn.com/worldwide.ashx.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) is the worldwide leader in
software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize
their full potential.
NOTE: Microsoft, MSN and Windows Live are either registered trademarks
or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other
countries.
The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the
trademarks of their respective owners.
SOURCE Microsoft Corp.
http://www.microsoft.com/
|
