The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony will move from MTV
Network’s VH1 Classic to Cablevision’s Fuse for the next three years. The first broadcast on the new network will take place during the next induction ceremony on April 4.
Much as it does with its broadcasts of music events such as Lollapalooza and Voodoo, the network is expected to create original programming that highlights the inductees in the lead up to and after the broadcast. Both Fuse and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame declined to specify what that programming would consist of, saying that the particulars would be decided once the actual inductees were determined in early January.
The nominees include Metallica, Run DMC, Jeff Beck, the Stooges, Chic, Wanda Jackson, Little Anthony and the Imperials, War and Bobby Womack. Artists are eligible 25 years after their first record release.
“We will be doing a lot of programming around the ceremony focusing on inductions and the Hall of Fame. They have an incredible library [of programming],” said Eric Sherman, president, Fuse.
The induction ceremony has previously been seen on VH1, VH1 Classic and MTV-owned high-definition music channel Palladia. In addition, the ceremony was streamed on AOL.com. Fuse’s deal includes the right to stream online.
The deal is somewhat of an anomaly since Fuse primarily plays contemporary indie, alternative, emo and hip-hop. But the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame insists its audience matches up with that of Fuse.
“One thing I’ve found is we’re having more and more younger demographics come to the museum. People in their forties are bringing their kids,” said Joel Peresman, president and CEO of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation. “While these kids are listening to contemporary artist they’re also listening to the Doors and who influenced this artist or that artist.”
