FUSE Radio

FUSE Radio is based in Chicago, IL and plays Top 40 music. The station currently broadcasts solely on internet radio, however FUSE Radio Networks is currently in talks as of August 2008 to bring FUSE Radio to Satellite Radio in Europe. It is also available in podcast form via the iTunes Music Store.

Origins
FUSE Radio was originally called FUSE MPG Radio when it was launched at 12:00am on 30 March 2003.

The first song was a special version of the Christina Aguilera song "Beautiful". Tim "Teo" Tarafas was the first voice to air, live from the Verizon Wireless Virginia Beach Amphitheater. The first voice in the studio was Emily Davis.

Some months later after the station launched, FUSE Radio acquired a local FM franchise for Norfolk, VA, allowing it to broadcast on 105.8 FM in that area. This service launched on 10 April 2005 and initially carried regional programming for the Norfolk, VA area, although this has now ceased.

Cox Communications
The station was sold to Cox Communications, who handled advertising for the station, for a reported $1.3 million USD on July 5th, 2005.

FUSE Radio saw declining numbers after its sale to Cox Communications and reported losses for five consecutive months after the sale. During this time, Cox shut down the terrestrial station in Norfolk, VA, citing the cannibalization of its existing stations in the area.

After almost year of straight losses and declining listener numbers, Cox sold FUSE Radio back to founder Tim "Teo" Tarafas and his newly formed company, FUSE Radio Networks for well under its original purchase price, a reported $120 thousand USD in March 2006 and was subsequently relieved of its duties as advertising partner.

On June 13, 2006 FUSE Radio Networks, INC signed a four-year deal with TiVo to make FUSE Radio available on TiVo. FUSE Radio has always placed a great emphasis on other methods of transmission than internet streaming, as it believes that advertising possibilities are limited on internet radio, thus the creation of a terrestrial station in 2005.

Programming
FUSE Radio has won many awards for its original programming. Each of its shows go through production cycles, internally called 'seasons', similarly to programming on television. A typical show season lasts from September-June. During this time, new shows are produced during the program's regularly scheduled time.

Current Shows
* New Two At 2 (N2@2)- Daily show playing the most recent additions to the FUSE Radio playlist in a two hour block starting at 2:00pm CST. Began August 22nd, 2008 to replace 'The 20'.

Past Shows
The station is known for continuously changing and upgrading its programming schedule. Depending on listener numbers, shows can be cancelled very quickly. Many popular shows on FUSE will be moved to two new stations, created as a result of the BlackTree Broadcasting takeover by FUSE Radio Networks (see below). Here is a list of some of the past FUSE shows:
* The 20 (formerly known as the 'Top 20 Countdown') - Daily listener-controlled countdown show. Originally aired April 10 2005 and was removed from FUSE Radio following the acquisition of BlackTree Broadcasting and will be featured on its very own station, launching December 2008. At the time of its removal from FUSE's programming, it was ranked as the most listened to show on internet radio.
* Friday Night Dance Party - A show featuring live feeds from locations around the world of popular DJs performing live. Originally aired May 6th, 2005 and was removed from FUSE Radio in March of 2007 because of slipping listener numbers. FUSE announced plans to revive the show and will feature the show on PRIDE! Radio when that station launches in December 2008, following the acquisition of BlackTree Broadcasting.
* Saturday Sessions - Like Friday Night Dance Party, this show featured live feeds from locations around the world of popular DJs performing live. Originally aired May 7th, 2005, this show experienced amazing popularity and was FUSE Radio's second highest rated show when it was taken off the air in August of 2008. FUSE announced plans to keep the show and will feature the show on PRIDE! Radio when that station launches in December 2008, following the acquisition of BlackTree Broadcasting.
*The 'O' Zone - Morning talk show with shock-jock host Mike O'Mallory. This show started off with impressive numbers, but quickly slipped into the bottom spot on FUSE Radio and was cancelled just one month after its original air date of April 4, 2005.

FUSE Radio announced that they are in talks to bring many new shows to the FUSE Networks lineup, however, they never announced with whom these talks were in progress with. They expect to announce a completely new lineup of programming after the BlackTree merger is completed in December 2008.

Its audience and playlist
FUSE Radio's target audience is predominantly those aged 13-44. Its "post acquisition" internet radio stations (see below) exploit the 'niche' musical tastes of this target audience or to cater for an audience that is within its target demographic but are not served properly by the flagship station.

However, despite its popularity, the station has received criticisms for its seldom rotating playlists. The criticisms focus around the playing of the same songs throughout the day, for example more than once on each radio "show".

Acquisition of BlackTree Broadcasting
On 12 April, 2008, it was announced that FUSE Radio Networks was to purchase BlackTree Broadcasting, a Los Angeles-based internet radio company, and its two internet radio stations fora total up-front consideration of $102 thousand in cash. In addition, FUSE Radio will be obligated to make additional contingent cash payments from time to time if certain product integration, net revenue and advertising inventory targets are met over the next three years. The maximum amount of potential contingent payments is $1.136 million over the next three years. Since these contingent payments are based on the achievement of performance targets, actual payments may be substantially lower. The acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions. FUSE Radio anticipates that the acquisition will close in the last quarter 2008.

In an open letter to both FUSE Radio and BlackTree listeners, FUSE Radio Networks' CEO promised no interruptions in radio service and compatibility between existing and future FUSE Radio/BlackTree products and services. It also announced the re-branding of BlackTree's existing two stations:

Post-Acquistion Stations
After the completion of the acquisition of BlackTree Broadcasting, FUSE plans on rebranding the two BlackTree stations (Q! Radio and Hot 40) and marketing them, along with FUSE Radio, under the "FUSE Radio Networks" brand. FInal station names are:

FUSE Radio
The original and now flagship station of FUSE Radio Networks, playing a combination of Top 40 music and original talk and news programming.

===PRIDE! Radio===
A radio station aimed at the LGBT community, will feature original talk and musical programming in its broadcast category along with dance music and top 40 hits. It is expected to launch in December 2008, along with The 20, following completion of the BlackTree Broadcasting merger.

The 20
A spin-off on FUSE Radio's wildly successful listener-controlled countdown show. The station will feature countdowns of the twenty most requested songs as voted on by listeners every three hours. It is expected to launch in December 2008, along with PRIDE! Radio, following completion of the BlackTree Broadcasting merger.

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