NOYZ was an American television network owned and operated by Seattle-based Blue Frog Media. Blue Frog also established BULLA, a Hispanic music channel similar to NOYZ. BULLA was discontinued in December 2007 due to budget and staffing cuts.
| Type | Television network |
|---|---|
| Branding | "NOYZ" |
| Country | |
| Availability | United States |
| Owner | Blue Frog Media |
Launch date | January 2006 |
| Dissolved | January 10, 2008 |
| Affiliates | Several over-the-air television stations |
History
editFounding by Blue Frog Media
editNOYZ was an American television network owned and operated by Seattle-based Blue Frog Media.
Blue Frog Media was a Seattle mobile media and entertainment company co-founded by Ron Erickson.[1] Originally called Blue Frog Mobile, it sold ringtones, wallpaper images, and games to cell-phone users.[2] Erickson was chairman and CEO[3] of the company until 2007.[4]
In addition to NOYZ, Blue Frog also established BULLA, a Hispanic music channel similar to NOYZ. BULLA was discontinued in December 2007 due to budget and staffing cuts.[5]
Start of NOYZ
editIn 2006 Blue Frog became best known for founding NOYZ, a television network that aired mostly pop and hip hop music videos, where members could send text messages to be placed on the air.[4] The videos featured a continuing interactive chat on the bottom third of the screen, where members could talk using text messages transmitted to the network to be placed on air. Each message cost 99¢, and had to be broadcast-safe to be featured on-air.
Discontinuation
editThe network aired beginning in 2007 overnights on the men's digital cable network MAVTV, but as of January 10, 2008 that network discontinued airing it, suggesting NOYZ went off-the-air. Shortly after, the network's website was taken offline and would lead to a domain parking page. Blue Frog Media had burned through $16 million of venture capital funding over three years and was unable to raise any more money, and filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy on February 1, 2008, with $1 million in liabilities from service providers, television stations and other creditors.[6] Blue Frog had planned further expansion before their bankruptcy in 2008, using the funds from the shutdown of BULLA to establish Noyz Country (a country-oriented channel), and UR Noyz, which would focus on Christian music.[7]
See also
edit- The Box - former over-the-air music network similar to NOYZ, later evolved into MTV2
- MTV2 - available in some areas over-the-air
- Mas Musica - former over-the-air music network, evolved into MTV Tr3s
- MTV Tr3s - available in some areas over the air
References
edit- ^ "Ronald Erickson: Profile". Forbes. 2013. Archived from the original on December 12, 2013. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
- ^ Woodward, Curt (August 23, 2012). "Meet Double Down's Lone Investor: Ron Erickson Talks Online Gambling". Xconomy. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
- ^ "Board of Trustees: Ron Erickson". Central Washington University. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
- ^ a b Cook, John (December 14, 2007). "Seattle's Blue Frog Media cuts staff". Seattle PI. Retrieved 2013-11-15.
- ^ Seattle PI: Blue Frog
- ^ Cook, John (4 February 2008). "Blue Frog files for bankruptcy". seattlepi.com. Retrieved 25 April 2024.
- ^ Cook, John (December 14, 2007). "Seattle's Blue Frog Media cuts staff". Seattle Post-Intelligencer.
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