Ryan Seacrest to Launch His Own TV Network, AXS TV

According to The Huffington Post, Ryan Seacrest will be joining with Mark Cuban's HDNet to launch his own television network, AXS TV (pronounced "access"). The new network will offer an array of live entertainment and lifestyle programming beginning this summer. Joining forces with AEG, the network will be granted backstage looks at concerts, award shows and other media events.  

AXS TV will be able to offer viewers a chance to see the complete genesis of a concert tour, beginning with the development of the show through the rehearsal process and finally, showing last minute sound checks, the actual performance and even the after-party celebration. 

Mark Cuban, owner of the NBA Dallas Mavericks explained, "This is a major step on our way to offering more live programming than any other entertainment and lifestyle network. AXS TV will unquestionably be able to leverage our unique assets to do things no other network will be able to replicate."

In a statement, AEG president and CEO Timothy J. Leiweke added, "The ability to give fans the opportunity to experience 'live' in a different way is something we have been looking for a way to do for years."

Included in the new venture, DISH, the pay TV provider, will be able to offer viewers a unique set of music services, including video-on-demand concerts.

The hope of the new collaboration is that AXS TV will be able to reach more than 35 million North American households. Seacrest is not expected to appear on the new TV network.