Fuse Greenlights New Original Series Slate

Fuse and its sister service FM will look to engage millennials with a slate of new, original unscripted series, the network announced Wednesday. 

Fuse will launch later this year such reality-themed shows as The Hollywood Puppet Sh!t Show, in which celebrities discuss outrageous true stories that are reenacted by marionettes and Picked Up, which explores the trend of millennials finding love during ride shares. On the documentary side, They Have A Dream, celebrates cultural heritage and identify while confronting issues and overcoming prejudice, said the network.

Fuse has also ordered a pilot for a hip hop magician series dubbed Smoothini, according to the network.

Fuse returning series include Big Freedia Bounces Back, Fluffy's Food Adventures, and Future - History.

On the FM front, the music-themed channel will launch later this year hip hop/sneaker fashion series Sole Searching, and well as music artists profile series The “X” Effect.

“We are committed to creating new, original content across all screens and providing value for our partners and consumers,” said Fuse Media President and CEO Michael Schwimmer in a statement. 

Added Fuse Media executive vice president of Ad Sales and Integrated Marketing Jason Miller:  “Our line-up of original content appeals to our core young multicultural audience who value entertainment that is engaging, authentic and relatable, while providing our advertising partners with the opportunity to reach these young consumers across platforms.”

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.