EL SEGUNDO, CA. (DIRECTV, Inc.)-In a move destined to have as much impact on the music business as the launch of MTV 25 years ago, DIRECTV announced today the debut of CD USA - a weekly exclusive performance-based series.
CD USA will premiere exclusively on DIRECTV on Saturday, Jan. 21, 2006, and will deliver the largest selection of back-to-back-to-back performances available on television.
Premiering on The 101 (DIRECTV channel 101, and in high-definition (HD) on channel 401), the weekly hourly show will feature a mix of music genres, including pop, indie, rock and urban.
As well as live performances, CD USA will entertain DIRECTV's nearly 15 million customers with the latest news on new releases, exclusive interviews, gossip, behind-the-scenes reports, and a private peek inside the hot house world of music idols.
CD USA will feature up to seven live performances from the CD USA stages-with the hottest selling artists and breakthrough acts-such as Sean Paul, Pretty Ricky, the Goo Goo Dolls, Ben Harper, Leela James, Dwele, Death Cab for Cutie, KT Turnstall, Twista and Marlene.
"If you look at the music industry - the tail is wagging the dog," said David Hill, president, DIRECTV Entertainment. "Music videos, which began as a promotional vehicle for artists, have taken a stranglehold like weeds in a pond. CD USA takes us to where the fans want to be, live performances, by the hottest acts in the world. We'll run CD USA continuously on channel 101 for 48 hours, so everyone gets a chance to tune in."
"CD USA will be the fastest moving music show on television anywhere in the U.S.," said Conor McAnally, director of Programs for Blaze Television and executive producer of CD USA. "For music fans it's like attending up to seven intimate gigs with your favorite artists one after the other. The performances will be up close and personal, the news will be fresh and interesting. CD USA will be the essential guide to what's happening in music today."
CD USA, a spin-off of the immensely popular program in Britain, CD UK, will be produced by Blaze Television for broadcast exclusively on DIRECTV. CD USA will be shot live-to-tape at the Tribune studios in Los Angeles.
DIRECTV is currently working with major record labels around the world to secure performances by top artists on CD USA, including SonyBMG and Universal Music.
In addition, DIRECTV will partner with leading lifestyle portal, My Space, to highlight My Space featured artists and "picks" from its more than 35 million members. This relationship will enable DIRECTV to not only present its customers with the best established artists, but also unsigned and emerging artists long before they hit the mainstream.
CD USA will air every Saturday at 11 a.m. ET/PT on The 101, channel 101 in standard-definition, as well as air simultaneously in high-definition on channel 401. Customers subscribing to any DIRECTV TOTAL CHOICE(R) or SELECCION programming package will have access to CD USA at no additional cost.
