GlassBOX Television and its multi-platform AUX music channel will make its debut as a new digital specialty channel in October, and its programming will also be available online and via portable media devices.
AUX, seen as the first Internet broadcaster in Canada to expand into a TV station, will debut its full programming line-up on Rogers Cable channel 107, along with new additions to its on-air talent roster.
Programming is exclusively focussed on music and music culture, the station describes.
"AUX is a visual counterpart to Canada's exploding music culture,” said Raja Khanna, Co-CEO GlassBOX Television and Founder and President of AUX. “We're capturing the amazing energy that you can feel and see in venues across the country and we're bringing it all to a TV channel created specifically for music fans."
HARD, AUX Weekly, Talk Show Night at Juicebox Manor, AUX Chart, and AUX Live are the new original titles coming to AUX. Exclusive imports include the renowned artist showcase series, Later... with Jools Holland, and the world television premiere of Soft Focus, produced by VBS.tv. New add, Classic Albums, complements AUX’s programming assets alongside acclaimed music docs, specials, and films.
“AUX is an effective way to reach a distinct audience that is completely immersed in quality music content across all of our media platforms,” said Ryan Fuss, Director of Sales, GlassBOX Media Group. “We always encourage and embrace creative media solutions when it comes to advertising on GlassBOX Television properties, and AUX is an exciting addition to our network roster that truly is redefining the scope of possibilities for marketers and their brands across Canada.”
Full-length music videos from groundbreaking artists are slated to play in packs of video flow and during themed music video blocks spanning rock, hip hop, and dance genres. Other AUX original series include MasterTracks, Band Foto, ExploreMusic with Alan Cross, Cypher, Strange Notes hosted by George Pettit of Alexisonfire, Camera Music, Volume, Alt.Sessions, Exclaim! TV’s Garageland, and CBC Radio 3’s R3TV.
Barry Taylor is among the new additions to AUX’s stable of on-air hosts and music authorities. Barry is set to co-host AUX Weekly. This former Toronto radio DJ is widely acknowledged for his instrumental role in breaking some of Canada’s top indie acts including City and Colour, Alexisonfire, Bedouin Soundclash, and Ill Scarlett. Chris Cornell, Dave Grohl, Kings of Leon, Perry Farrell, and Silversun Pickups are just a handful of artists that he has interviewed over the years.
Andrew Alba and Lavonne Allen are also on board to join Barry Taylor as co-hosts of AUX Weekly. AUX brass couldn’t resist Andrew’s infectious energy and love of music. So they quickly upped this self-proclaimed music junkie from intern to music coordinator to co-host of AUX Weekly since he began working for the channel in June 2008. Andrew was born and raised in Prince George, BC.
Lavonne Allen just signed on with AUX. This Kitchener, ON, native is no stranger to the Canadian music scene with stints fronting and managing various bands. Alan Cross, Alexisonfire’s George Pettit, Philman George (a.k.a. I.E.), Ingrid Johansson, Laurence Currie, Moe Berg, and Sam Sutherland are all of the previously announced AUX hosts.
Viewers can visit www.aux.tv on Thursday, September 24 to watch the evening’s AUX music television launch event, including the performance by Moneen. AUX programming continues to be available at www.aux.tv. Beginning October 1, entire episodes from all AUX series will be posted online after they air on television. At the same time, an extensive new library of online music videos will be unveiled, featuring all the premium acts seen on AUX.
Select AUX properties are currently available on mobile through Rogers Wireless and Bell Mobility. A weekly two-hour AUX program pack airs Mondays at 9 p.m. EST on BiteTV, GlassBOX Television’s Emmy-winning multiplatform channel.
AUX music television debuts on Rogers Digital VIP, a service enjoyed by the majority of Rogers Digital Cable subscribers. It is available at no extra cost to Digital VIP subscribers, with placement on the same tier as some of Canada’s most popular digital specialty channels.
GlassBOX Television received CRTC approval for a category 2 specialty television license for AUX this past March.
Launched online in November 2008, it features a mix of music content including videos, live performances, artist interviews, in-depth profiles, behind-the-scenes docs, news, and insider reports on top industry events. AUX plans to be available anywhere its core audience of 18-49s wants it, with a strong focus on reaching 18-34 year olds.
GlassBOX Television Inc. (www.glassbox.tv) operates cross-platform broadcast and VOD channels that engage audiences across the globe with targeted, multiple content streams. GlassBOX’s first channel BITE TV (www.bite.ca) has led the way in defining a new generation of multi-platform interactive television services. Winner of the coveted International Interactive Emmy Award for Best Interactive Channel, BITE TV is now available on cable, satellite, IPTV and mobile carriers. Newly launched AUX, is Canada’s first and only interactive, cross-platform channel dedicated to emerging music (www.aux.tv).