or


[10/13/09 - 03:22 PM]
Microsoft and FOX One to Collaborate on Exclusive Windows 7 Brand Sponsorship of "Family Guy Presents: Seth & Alex's Almost Live Comedy Show" (Working Title)
The half-hour special airs Sunday, November 8 at 8:30/7:30c.

[via press release from FOX]

MICROSOFT AND FOX ONE TO COLLABORATE ON EXCLUSIVE WINDOWS 7 BRAND SPONSORSHIP OF "FAMILY GUY PRESENTS: SETH & ALEX'S ALMOST LIVE COMEDY SHOW" (working title)

Windows 7 to Enhance Viewing Experience of Original Variety Show Special Airing Sunday, November 8, on FOX

Broader Multi-Platform Marketing Initiative Also Encompasses 20th Century Fox Television, Fox Licensing and Merchandising, FOX Sports, FX, FOX.com, FOXSports.com on MSN and Hulu Assets

Today, Microsoft Corp. and FOX One announced an ambitious, unique marketing collaboration that will showcase the best of Windows 7, the newest version of Microsoft's operating system that will be available in market on Oct. 22. The cornerstone of the effort is the exclusive Windows 7 sponsorship of an upcoming television event devoted to the comedy of Seth MacFarlane, creator of FAMILY GUY, AMERICAN DAD and THE CLEVELAND SHOW.

Taking the idea of "commercial-free" to the next level, the original FOX variety special FAMILY GUY PRESENTS: SETH & ALEX'S ALMOST LIVE COMEDY SHOW (working title), airing Sunday, Nov. 8 (8:30-9:00 PM ET/PT) and starring MacFarlane and his FAMILY GUY co-star Alex Borstein, will deliver simplicity for viewers � no commercial ad time, no network promotions and no commercial breaks � and instead will feature unique Windows 7-branded programming that blends seamlessly with show content. In a network first, MacFarlane and Borstein have teamed with Windows and their agencies, Universal McCann and Crispin, Porter + Bogusky, to develop, write and produce the customized branded integrations that seek to bring the old "Texaco Star Theater"-style sponsorships into the 21st century. The half-hour special will highlight the comedy duo's subversive and unique humor with original animation, live-action performances of FAMILY GUY's most memorable musical numbers, comedy sketches and surprise celebrity guests. That night, FOX turns the reins over to MacFarlane for an all-MacFarlane lineup as he also hosts all-new episodes of AMERICAN DAD (7:30-8:00 PM ET/PT), FAMILY GUY (8:00-8:30 and 9:00-9:30 PM ET/PT) and THE CLEVELAND SHOW (9:30-10:00 PM ET/PT).

While the way people watch TV has evolved, their desire to be entertained, and marketers' need to deliver compelling content, hasn't changed. Microsoft and FOX are joining forces to showcase how the power and simplicity of Windows 7 can enhance the content FOX viewers enjoy most, whether it's comedy, drama, sports or reality programming on TV or on the web.

"We're working with FOX on innovative brand integrations that will show how the power and simplicity of Windows 7 can enhance the content FOX viewers love" said Gayle Troberman, general manager of consumer engagement and advertising at Microsoft. "We have simplified the PC with Windows 7, and together with FOX, we're simplifying entertainment."

"We're thrilled to be joining forces with Windows 7 on such an exciting, highly collaborative marketing campaign featuring the very unique talents of Seth MacFarlane as he overhauls the old Hollywood tradition of the sponsored variety show by marrying Windows 7 messaging with content," said Jean Rossi, President of FOX One and Executive Vice President of Sales for FOX. "By partnering with 20th Century Fox Television, Fox Licensing and Merchandising, FOX Sports, FX, FOXSports.com on MSN and Hulu, we have developed a complementary initiative that goes well beyond the screen with customized assets that connect consumers with Windows 7."

In addition to sponsorship of the variety show special, Microsoft and Fox Licensing and Merchandising are working together to reach more than 4.3 million college students in-person on campuses across the country. The joint 12-week college tour gives students the chance to try Windows 7 for themselves and enjoy customized entertainment created by Fox Licensing and Merchandising such as outdoor movie nights hosted by FAMILY GUY's Stewie and Brian, online videos and other customized FAMILY GUY content.

Microsoft and FOX One will roll out marketing collaboration efforts with a variety of FOX One properties including 20th Century Fox Television, FOX Sports, FX, FOX.com, FOXSports.com on MSN and Hulu.

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.

ABOUT FOX ONE

FOX ONE, formed in 2007, is a sales unit of Fox Entertainment Group. It develops and implements strategic integrated marketing opportunities and solutions crossing the full range of News Corp.'s global assets and a variety of media platforms, including broadcast, cable, digital, filmed entertainment, print and international.

ABOUT SETH MACFARLANE

One of the youngest people ever to create a television series, Seth MacFarlane is the creator/executive producer/voice actor on FAMILY GUY, AMERICAN DAD and THE CLEVELAND SHOW. In 2009, FAMILY GUY received an Emmy nomination making it the second animated series ever to be nominated for Outstanding Comedy Series. Previously, FAMILY GUY garnered three nominations for Outstanding Animated Series.

ABOUT FOX BROADCASTING COMPANY

Fox Broadcasting Company (FOX) is a unit of News Corporation and the leading broadcast television network among Adults 18-49. FOX finished the 2008-2009 season at No. 1 for the fifth consecutive year � a feat that hasn't been achieved since the mid-1990s � while continuing to dominate all network competition in the more targeted Adults 18-34 and Teen demographics. FOX airs 15 hours of primetime programming a week as well as late-night entertainment programming, major sports and Sunday morning news.

ABOUT FOX LICENSING AND MERCHANDISING

A recognized industry leader, Twentieth Century Fox Licensing and Merchandising licenses and markets properties worldwide on behalf of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, Twentieth Television and Fox Broadcasting Company, as well as third party lines. The division is aligned with Twentieth Century Fox Television, one of the top suppliers of primetime entertainment programming to the broadcast networks.





  [october 2009]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S
    


· AMERICAN DAD (FOX)
· CLEVELAND SHOW, THE (FOX)
· FAMILY GUY (FOX)





[12/03/25 - 12:30 PM]
CBS Announces Second Season Orders for the Top Two New Broadcast Series - #1 "Boston Blue" and #2 "Sheriff Country"
The series average 8 million viewers and 7.6 million viewers, respectively, in Nielsen live plus 7-day multiplatform ratings.

[12/03/25 - 11:59 AM]
"9-1-1: Nashville" Season Premiere Catapults to Over 19 Million Total Viewers
Over 35 days, ABC's Thursday night drama premieres amassed impressive audiences based on competitive cross-platform broadcast series rankings, with all three dramas landing in the Top 10 among Adults 18-49.

[12/03/25 - 11:27 AM]
Star-Studded Cast of Cooking Disasters Take on Culinary Boot Camp in "Worst Cooks in America: Reality Check"
This season, Chefs Jeff Mauro and Tiffany Derry are on a mission to transform an all-star cast from cooking disasters to kitchen masters with an intense culinary boot camp like no other.

[12/03/25 - 11:25 AM]
Fresh Off Successful Theatrical Run, Great American Media Announces "Another Sweet Christmas," Starring Candace Cameron Bure and Cameron Mathison, Streams Exclusively on Great American Pure Flix, Beginning December 18
The sequel to "Home Sweet Christmas" also premieres on Great American Family and GFAM+, Saturday, December 20 (8 p.m. ET).

[12/03/25 - 11:00 AM]
Hulu Renews "Chad Powers" for a Second Season
Glen Powell will return as the titular character.

[12/03/25 - 11:00 AM]
Broadcast Talent Announced for Inaugural Optum Golf Channel Games December 17 in Primetime on Golf Channel and USA Network
Current PGA Tour player Keith Mitchell will serve as an analyst for coverage of the Optum Golf Channel Games alongside longtime Golf Channel commentator Steve Sands, who will provide play-by-play commentary.

[12/03/25 - 10:31 AM]
Louis Carr Appointed President of BET
Carr assumes leadership of BET from Scott Mills, who earlier today announced his departure after 23 years at the company.

[12/03/25 - 10:01 AM]
Video: "A Thousand Blows" - Season 2 Trailer - Hulu
It's the dawn of a new era.

[12/03/25 - 10:01 AM]
HBO Original Documentary "Music Box: Counting Crows: Have You Seen Me Lately?" Debuts December 18
The film is an intimate documentary chronicling the rise of the band Counting Crows and the unrelenting pressure that followed their breakout success.

[12/03/25 - 09:32 AM]
Get Ready to Hit the Casino with a New Untitled Vegas Television Series
The new series from the creators of "Billions" is executive produced by the legendary Martin Scorsese.

[12/03/25 - 09:00 AM]
The Unbelievable True Story of "Roofman" Premieres on Paramount+ December 9
Channing Tatum stars as the film's titular character, as well as a stellar cast including Kirsten Dunst, Ben Mendelsohn, LaKeith Stanfield, Juno Temple, Uzo Aduba, Lily Collias, Jimmy O. Yang and Peter Dinklage.

[12/03/25 - 08:57 AM]
Record NFL Viewership Caps Thanksgiving Night on NBC, Peacock, and Telemundo
Bengals-Ravens is the most-watched Thanksgiving night NFL game ever with an average of 28.4 million viewers.

[12/03/25 - 08:55 AM]
"NFL on CBS" Shatters Record for Most-Watched Regular-Season Game in NFL History with More Than 57 Million Viewers
Viewership peaked with 61.357 million viewers for the game's thrilling conclusion (7:45-8:00 PM ET).

[12/03/25 - 08:49 AM]
FOX Sports Feasts on Thanksgiving Day with 47.7 Million Viewers for Packers-Lions
Viewership peaked with 57,957,000 viewers from 4:00-4:15 PM ET.

[12/03/25 - 08:47 AM]
Most-Watched NBA on ESPN Thanksgiving Eve in Six Years
The inaugural tripleheader averaged 2,099,000 viewers, up 54 percent from last year's Thanksgiving Eve doubleheader, according to Nielsen Big Data + Panel.