Pimp, Run's House Back on MTV
By Anne Becker -- Broadcasting & Cable, 8/17/2006 7:02:00 PM
MTV has greenlighted new seasons of its reality shows Run's House and Pimp My Ride, the network announced today. Shooting for an eight-episode third season of Run's House begins in September, while Pimp will returnwith a 16-episode fifth season.
Run's House, the comedic reality show about hip hop pioneer and Run DMC frontman Rev Run (aka Joey Simmons) and his family, has been earning solid ratings Thursdays at 9:30 p.m. this summer in its second season, which ends Thursday.
The Aug. 10 episode, for example, averaged a healthy 2.4 million total viewers, according to Nielsen Media Research. The series ranked No. 1 in its time period among MTV's 12-34 demo. Tony DiSanto, Liz Gateley and Mike Powers are Executive producers of the show; it is also executive-produced by Russell Simmons, Stan Lathan, Will Griffin, John Davies, Sean "Diddy" Combs and Jason Carbone. Pimp, a car-makeover series hosted by hip-hop star Xzibit, has also ranked first in its time period (Thursday at 10 p.m.) among viewers 12-34 against cable competitors. The Aug. 10 episode averaged 1.96 million total viewers.
Pimp is executive-produced by Rick Hurvitz, Bruce Beresford-Redman and Larry Hochberg. Mike Ireland is the executive in charge of production for MTV.
Markets Airing HD2 Multicast Programming to Soon Number Sixty-Eight!
HD Digital Radio Alliance Names Next 18 Markets; HD2 Continues to Roll Out Ahead of Schedule
ORLANDO, Florida - August 15, 2006 - The HD Digital Radio Alliance, a joint initiative of leading radio broadcasters to accelerate the rollout of HD digital radio, today announced that 18 new, local markets will begin HD2 multicast programming this fall, marking the third wave of stations rolling out side channels under the Alliance's format-selection program.
This latest wave will launch 140 additional HD2 channels and brings the total markets served by HD2 multicast programming to 68, all of which are in the top 100 markets In total, more than 600 radio stations nationwide belonging to Alliance members now offer HD2 multicast programming.
With the ability to offer unprecedented new content - now including news, talk, and music - HD2 channels bring fresh sounds to the airwaves. Formats debuting in the current rollout include Blues, Comedy, Christian CHR, Spanish Oldies, All Financial, Old School Hip Hop, Indie Rock and Party Mix. HD Digital Radio offers more programming choices and crystal-clear sound quality with no subscription fee. HD2 stations are initially being offered commercial free.
Since its inception in December 2005, the HD Digital Radio Alliance has continued to be ahead of schedule.
"We're even surprised by how fast this is moving," said Peter Ferrara, president and CEO of the HD Digital Radio Alliance. "It's only been eight months since the Alliance was formed and we are seeing HD digital radio broadcasts being launched at a much faster pace than expected. We are excited to be helping listeners discover the newest digital entertainment option around - and of course there's no subscription fee.
HD digital radio receivers are currently available from ABC Warehouse, Alamo Electronics, Audio Adviser, B&B Appliance, Bjorn's Stereo Designs, Car Toys, Crutchfield.com, eCost.com, Electronics Expo, Flanner's Audio & Video, Great Indoors (a unitof Sears Roebuck & Co.), HammacherSchlemmer.com, Harvey's, Hi-Fi Buys, Home Entertainment, Huppins Hi Fi, J & R Music, Listen Up, Magnolia Audio Video, One Call, Ovation AV, Pyramid Audio, Rudy's Autosound, Sound Advice, Spearit Sound, Tweeter and World of Sound. Links to national retailers selling HD Digital radios are at www.hdradio.com, which also features a HD Digital Radio Buyers Guide designed to assist consumers with this purchase.
HD digital radio receivers are currently manufactured by 18 companies, including Audio Design Associates, Kenwood, Alpine, Panasonic, Boston Acoustics, Cambridge SoundWorks, Polk, Day Sequerra, Radiosophy, Delphi, Rotel, DICE, Sanyo, Tivoli, Yamaha, Eclipse (Fujitsu), JVC and Visteon. More than 20 Asia-based manufacturers have HD Digital Radio receivers in development.
Nine automakers will be offering HD digital radio as a factory-installed option on 49 different car models in the next 18-24 months. With the latest wave of HD2 channels and further rapid deployment of HD radio in the future, drivers can be sure of a wealth of entertainment choices.
About the HD Digital Radio Alliance
The HD Digital Radio Alliance is a joint initiative of leading radio broadcasters to accelerate the successful rollout of HD digital radio. Current members include major radio groups and independent station owners: ABC Radio (in Los Angeles and Minneapolis), Beasley Broadcast Group, Bonneville International, CBS Radio, Citadel Broadcasting, Clear Channel Radio, Cumulus, Emmis Communications, Entercom, Greater Media and independent owner Jerry Lee with WBEB Philadelphia. For more information on HD digital radio, visit www.hdradio.co
Sport Compact Car and Forza 2 DVD
The news stand issues of November Sport Compact Car on-sale 9/19/06 will have 50 minutes of track and canyon racing action. Sport Compact Car and Forza 2 (www.ForzaMotorsport.Net.) provides this action packed DVD in conjunction with Best Motoring International. (www.BestMotoringVideo.com)
JBL" and New Era Cap Co., Inc., Premiere "Fit for the Streets" 60-Foot Articulated Bus At Gallery Event Featuring Renowned Celebrity Photographer Jonathan Mannion
Los Angeles (Aug. 10, 2006) - JBL and New Era recently teamed up to "party like rock stars" in a 60-foot, articulated Provost Bus they had custom built to be a mobile showroom/swank VIP lounge featuring JBL home, car and professional audio systems and New Era products. Part of the popular "Fit for the Streets" tour, the bus was on display at L.A.'s trendy 222 Gallery, site of a special evening honoring celebrity photographer Jonathon Mannion, who's famous for his shots of sport celebrities such as Kobe Bryant, David Beckham, Magic Johnson and Lance Armstrong.
JBL partnered with New Era, a global leader in the design and manufacture of headwear, to customize the bus with a state-of-the-art audio/video system. Gary Biggs, a world-renowned installer and application specialist with the Harman Consumer Group, oversaw the installation ofthe following products:
•9 P652 - JBL Power Series 6" two-way speakers
•3 GTO1204D - JBL Grand Touring Series 12" subwoofers
•4 GTO 75.4II - JBL GTO 4-channel car audio power amplifiers
•3 GTO601.1II - JBL GTO mono car audio subwoofer amplifiers
•4 GTO1004D - JBL GTO Series 10" subwoofers
•9 DVD 27 - Harman Kardon home DVD players
•1 AVR 340 - Harman Kardon home receiver
•1 SCS 300.7 - JBL home theater speaker system
•3 DP 1US - Harman Kardon Drive + Play? systems
•1 JBL Pro E-System 15 - PA system
•Numerous AKG microphones
The quintessential party bus wowed celebs, musicians and pro athletes in attendance at the Barcardi Apple Martini-sponsored event, held just prior to the BET Awards.
Chris Dragon, brand marketing director for Harman Consumer Group, said there were numerous reasons for the two brands to partner. "Like JBL, New Era recognizes the importance of event marketing and promoting products where consumers play," he said. "The `Fit for the Streets' tour schedule puts JBL products in front of people who love great music, and it allows us to showcase JBL as a solid brand that will deliver world-class sound on the road or at home."
The bus' interior is split into two sections. The front half is a showroom open to the public; it highlights New Era and its relationship with sports and music. In addition to JBL audio systems, there are New Era cap displays accompanied by six Technics turntables, six LG plasma TVs and a photo exhibit.
The second portion of the bus is a VIP lounge outfitted with product displays and plush magenta banquettes. It features a JBL/Harman Kardon sound system, two 42-inch LG plasma TVs and a wireless Xbox 360.
About New Era
New Era Cap is a Derby, NY-based sports headwear designer, developer and manufacturer, with sales offices in Canada, Europe and Japan. Making more than 25 million licensed andnonlicensed performance and fashion units per year, New Era is the exclusive manufacturer and marketer of Major League Baseball's official uniform caps, worn on the field of playby every Major and Minor League player; its other licenses include the National Basketball Association and the National Hockey League. Founded in 1920, New Era is a privately owned company employing more than 1,500 people in New York and Alabama, and overseas. New Era is a Category A affiliate of the Fair Labor Association.
About Harman Consumer Group
The Harman Consumer Group (HCG) is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of a wide range of high-fidelity loudspeakers, audio and video components, and multimedia systems for use in homes and automobiles, and with computers. The group's brands include JBL, Infinity, Harman Kardon, Mark Levinson, Revel, Audioaccess and Lexicon.
HCG is a division of Harman International Industries, Incorporated. Harman International (www.harman.com) is a leading manufacturer of high-quality, high-fidelity audio products and electronic systems for the automotive, consumer and professional markets. The company's stockis traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "HAR."
- JBL -
www.jbl.com
JBL, Harman International, Harman Kardon, Power Series, Grand Touring and AKG are registered trademarks, and Drive + Play is a trademark, of Harman International Industries, Incorporated.