Entertainment
FENDER RELEASES THE PLAYER II SERIES, A CATALYST TO UNITE THE NEXT-GENERATION OF PLAYERS
The World’s Best-Selling Guitar Series Just Got Better: Player II Boasts Premium Specs and Never-Released Vintage Car-Inspired Colorways
HOLLYWOOD, Calif. /PRNewswire/ — Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) today announces the arrival of the Player II Series – an update to Fender’s long-standing best-selling electric series, the Player Series – designed for musicians ready to take the next step in their creative journey.
Experience the full interactive Multichannel News Release here:
https://www.multivu.com/players/English/9221551-fender-releases-the-player-ii-series/
Since its inception in 2018, the Player Series has shown nearly 30% consecutive year-over-year growth globally and holds rank as Fender’s best-selling range of electric guitars of all time due to its accessible features that both capture the imagination of new players and satisfy the demands of more experienced guitarists alike. Available now, the Player II Series takes the best of its predecessor’s features and improves them with upgraded specs like rosewood fingerboards, modern “C” necks with rolled edges, and new vintage colors from the vaults exemplifying the innovation, culture, community, and lifestyle synonymous with Fender® Electrics.
At a time when data1 shows the global music industry is booming, with revenue at its highest since 1999 – the Player II series continues to inspire the next generation of musicians, ushering in a new kind of guitar player that takes creativity to a new level. The just-released lineup of models up the ante on the previous range with numerous innovative details and specs, new options for chambered ash and chambered mahogany bodies and never-released vintage colorways – Coral Red, Aquatone Blue, Hialeah Yellow and Birch Green – ’50s and ’60s vintage car colors pulled from the archives.
The 2024 campaign for the Player II Series, “The All New Player II” marks one of Fender’s most significant debuts yet. It begins with an electrifying hero film blending four distinctive renditions of The Kinks’ timeless hit, “All Day & All of the Night,” set in unique environments. For the film, All Day and All of the Night: The All New Player II Series | Fender®, Fender has partnered with acclaimed artists Julien Baker, singer-songwriter from Memphis and 1/3 of boygenius, DIIV, influential indie rock band, content creator and touring bassist (Fever 333) April Kae and alternative rock trio Wallows. The campaign includes four product marketing vignettes with the same artists and environments, skillfully highlighting key features of the Player II Series.
In addition to the hero film and ten product demo videos, Exploring the Player II Series, the multi-pronged campaign debuts various content pieces:
- Player II Sessions, featuring performances and interviews with the four campaign artists, Julien Baker, DIIV, Wallows and April Kae, each showcasing an original performance. Watch the first Fender Session, featuring interview and performance by Wallows: Wallows Sessions | The Player II Series | Fender
- New Fender series featuring Fender Next artists – Militarie Gun (Los Angeles), Joy Oladokun (Nashville), English Teacher (Leeds), Vacations (Australia), and additional content with artists based in Japan and China. Each docu-style episode will capture a “day in the life” of being a Player with the artists as they prepare for a show.
- The Modern Creator, campaign series features stories through the eyes of four content creators, Monica Valli, Mary Spender, Gabriel Takei and Dovydas, as they share their unique musical journeys.
- Player I vs. Player II Side By Sides, engaging select channels, such as Andy Ferris, for side-by-side comparisons highlighting the improvements from Player to Player II guitars and bases.
“The Player II Series represents our continued evolution in design and functionality,” said Justin Norvell, EVP of Product, FMIC. “We listened to the feedback from musicians around the world and incorporated their insights to refine and innovate our instruments. The re-introduction of rosewood fingerboards is a restoration of the ‘original Fender recipe’ and will no doubt be a fan favorite – but we didn’t want to stop there. We’ve also incorporated our rolled fingerboard edges for a broken-in feel, upgraded hardware, and have some new body options as well- which underscores our commitment to providing players and creators with the tools they need to express their unique sound and style. The Player II Series is not just an upgrade, it’s a detailed re-imagining of our core silhouettes, highlighting our dedication to quality and the continuous refinement of our instruments.”
Additionally, Player II offers new options for chambered ash and chambered mahogany bodies for the Player II Stratocaster and Telecaster models, which will be available in October. Designed for musicians ready to elevate their craft, the Player II Series sets a new standard for quality and performance in the mid-price range. Series includes:
- Player II Stratocaster®
- Player II HSS Stratocaster®
- Player II Telecaster®
- Player II Jazzmaster®
- Player II Jaguar®
- Player II Mustang®
- Player II LH Stratocaster®
- Player II HH Telecaster®
- Player II LH Telecaster®
- Player II Precision Bass®
- Player II Jazz Bass®
- Player II Mustang Bass®
“Music is about a multisensory experience and the P-Bass provides that. It feels great to wear, it sounds great and it looks incredible. It’s classic but always feels current. It always feels relevant and that’s not something that can be said about any product let alone a guitar.” April Kae.
“This guitar feels like a magic guitar that fell into my hands and it’s perfect. I feel like I’m constantly chasing that one guitar and this is just perfect.” Zachary Cole Smith, DIIV
“The Player II Series Stratocaster feels like a great guitar and I was impressed by how it played very easy and simple. The tones are great. I think people are going to enjoy it.” Braeden Lemasters, Wallows
High-resolution artist, lifestyle, and product images can be found HERE.
For technical specs, additional information on new Fender products and to find a retail partner near you, visit www.fender.com. Join the conversation on social media by following @Fender.
1 Billboard states the music industry’s total revenue in 2024 is $28.6 billion, which is the highest it’s been since 1999, not accounting for inflation.
PLAYER II SERIES MODELS:
Player II Stratocaster® ($799.99 – $899.99 USD, £739.00 – £809.00 GBP, €869.00 – €949.00 EUR, $1,299.00 – $1,449.00 AUD, ¥104,500 – ¥121,000 JPY) The Player II Stratocaster® radiates timeless Fender charm, but under the hood, it’s primed for today’s players. Everything about the neck is designed for fast and fluid playability, from the Modern “C”-profile with silky satin urethane finish on the back to the comfy 9.5″-radius slab rosewood or maple fingerboard with smooth rolled edges and 22 medium jumbo frets. Choose from alder, chambered ash or chambered mahogany bodies available in both classic Fender finishes and never-before-seen colors unearthed from the archives. Player Series Alnico V Single-Coil Strat® pickups offer crystalline highs, musical mids and tight lows that elevate any genre. The 5-way blade switch lets you dial in everything from glassy neck pickup cleans to rowdy bridge pickup snarl and all points in between, while a 2-point tremolo and ClassicGear™ tuners ensure precise tuning stability for the flexibility to explore endless sonic possibilities. Available in LH model. Offered in Chambered Ash and Chambered Mahogany bodies.
Player II HSS Stratocaster® ($829.99 – $929.99 USD, £759.00 – £829.00 GBP, €889.00 – €969.00 EUR, $1,349.00 – $1,499.00 AUD, ¥108,900 -126,500 JPY ) The Player II Stratocaster® HSS radiates timeless Fender charm, but under the hood, it’s primed for today’s players. Everything about the neck is designed for fast and fluid playability, from the Modern “C”-profile with silky satin urethane finish on the back to the comfy 9.5″-radius slab rosewood or maple fingerboard with smooth rolled edges and 22 medium jumbo frets. Choose from alder, chambered ash or chambered mahogany bodies available in both classic Fender finishes and never-before-seen colors unearthed from the archives. Player Series Alnico V Single-Coil Strat® pickups and a Player Series Alnico II humbucker offer crystalline highs, musical mids and tight lows that elevate any genre. The 5-way blade switch lets you dial in everything from glassy neck pickup chime to rowdy bridge pickup roar and all points in between, while a 2-point tremolo and ClassicGear™ tuners ensure precise tuning stability for the flexibility to explore endless sonic possibilities.
Player II Telecaster® ($799.99 – $899.99 USD, £739.00 – £809.00 GBP, €869.00 – €949.00 EUR, $1,299.00 – $1,449.00 AUD, ¥104,500 – ¥121,000 JPY) The Player II Telecaster® radiates timeless Fender charm, but under the hood, it’s primed for today’s players. Everything about the neck is designed for fast and fluid playability, from the Modern “C”-profile with silky satin urethane finish on the back to the comfy 9.5″-radius slab rosewood or maple fingerboard with smooth rolled edges and 22 medium jumbo frets. Choose from alder, chambered ash or chambered mahogany bodies available in both classic Fender finishes and never-before-seen colors unearthed from the archives. Player Series Alnico V Single-Coil Tele® pickups offer crystalline highs, musical mids and tight lows that elevate any genre. The 3-way blade switch lets you dial in everything from smooth neck pickup chime to cutting bridge pickup twang and all points in between, while a 6-saddle bridge, block steel saddles and ClassicGear™ tuners ensure precise tuning stability for the flexibility to explore endless sonic possibilities. Available in LH model. Offered in Chambered Ash and Chambered Mahogany bodies.
Player II HH Telecaster® ($829.99 USD, £769.00 GBP, €899.00 EUR, $1,349.00 AUD, ¥108,900 JPY) The Player II Telecaster® HH radiates timeless Fender charm, but under the hood, it’s primed for today’s players. Everything about the neck is designed for fast and fluid playability, from the Modern “C”-profile with silky satin urethane finish on the back to the comfy 9.5″-radius slab rosewood or maple fingerboard with smooth rolled edges and 22 medium jumbo frets. A classic alder body is available in both timeless Fender finishes and never-before-seen colors unearthed from the archives. Player Series Alnico II humbuckers offer articulate highs, muscular mids and chunky lows that elevate any genre. The 3-way blade switch lets you dial in everything from creamy neck pickup warmth to rowdy bridge pickup roar and all points in between, while a 6-saddle bridge, bent steel saddles and ClassicGear™ tuners ensure precise tuning stability for the flexibility to explore endless sonic possibilities.
Player II Jaguar® ($829.99 USD, £759.00 GBP, €889.00 EUR, $1,349.00 AUD, ¥108,900 JPY) The Player II Jaguar® radiates timeless Fender charm, but under the hood, it’s primed for today’s players. Everything about the neck is designed for fast and fluid playability, from the Modern “C”-profile with silky satin urethane finish on the back to the comfy 9.5″-radius slab rosewood fingerboard with smooth rolled edges and 22 medium jumbo frets. A classic alder body is available in both timeless Fender finishes and never-before-seen colors unearthed from the archives. Player Series Alnico V (Bridge) and Alnico II (Neck) Single-Coil Jaguar® pickups offer crystalline highs, musical mids and tight lows that elevate any genre. The 3-way blade switch lets you easily dial in everything from glassy neck pickup chime to cutting bridge pickup bite and all points in between, while a 6-saddle Jaguar bridge with Floating Tremolo, upgraded Mustang® saddles and ClassicGear™ tuners ensure precise tuning stability for the flexibility to explore endless sonic possibilities.
Player II Jazzmaster® ($829.99 USD, £759.00 GBP, €889.00 EUR, $1,349.00 AUD, ¥108,900 JPY) The Player II Jazzmaster® radiates timeless Fender charm, but under the hood, it’s primed for today’s players. Everything about the neck is designed for fast and fluid playability, from the Modern “C”-profile with silky satin urethane finish on the back to the comfy 9.5″-radius slab rosewood fingerboard with smooth rolled edges and 22 medium jumbo frets. A classic alder body is available in both timeless Fender finishes and never-before-seen colors unearthed from the archives. Player Series Alnico V Single-Coil Jazzmaster pickups offer crystalline highs, musical mids and tight lows that elevate any genre. The 3-way toggle switch lets you easily dial in everything from glassy neck pickup chime to cutting bridge pickup bite and all points in between, while a 6-saddle Jazzmaster bridge with Floating Tremolo, upgraded Mustang® saddles and ClassicGear™ tuners ensure precise tuning stability for the flexibility to explore endless sonic possibilities.
Player II Mustang® ($799.99 USD, £619.00 GBP, €729.00 EUR, $1,299.00 AUD, ¥104,500 JPY) The Player II Mustang® radiates timeless Fender charm, but under the hood, it’s primed for today’s players. Everything about the neck is designed for fast and fluid playability, from the Modern “C”-profile with silky satin urethane finish on the back to the comfy 9.5″-radius slab rosewood or maple fingerboard with smooth rolled edges and 22 medium jumbo frets. A classic alder body is available in both timeless Fender finishes and never-before-seen colors unearthed from the archives. Player Series Alnico V Single-Coil Mustang® pickups offer crystalline highs, musical mids and tight lows that elevate any genre. The 3-way toggle switch lets you easily dial in everything from glassy neck pickup chime to cutting bridge pickup snarl and all points in between, while a 6-saddle hardtail bridge, bent steel saddles and ClassicGear™ tuners ensure precise tuning stability for the flexibility to explore endless sonic possibilities.
Player II Precision Bass® ($799.99 USD, £839.00 GBP, €979.00 EUR, $1,299.00 AUD, ¥104,500 JPY) The Player II Precision Bass® radiates timeless Fender charm, but under the hood, it’s primed for today’s players. Everything about the neck is designed for fast and fluid playability, from the Modern “C”-profile with silky satin urethane finish on the back to the comfy 9.5″-radius slab rosewood or maple fingerboard with smooth rolled edges and 20 medium jumbo frets. A classic alder body is available in both timeless Fender finishes and never-before-seen colors unearthed from the archives. Player Series Alnico V Split-Coil P Bass® pickups offer sweet highs, musical mids and seismic lows that elevate any genre. An adjustable 4-saddle bridge, single-groove steel saddles and open-gear tuners ensure precise tuning stability for the flexibility to explore endless sonic possibilities.
Player II Jazz Bass® ($799.99 USD, £839.00 GBP, €979.00 EUR, $1,299.00 AUD, ¥104,500 JPY) The Player II Jazz Bass® radiates timeless Fender charm, but under the hood, it’s primed for today’s players. Everything about the neck is designed for fast and fluid playability, from the Modern “C”-profile with silky satin urethane finish on the back to the comfy 9.5″-radius slab rosewood or maple fingerboard with smooth rolled edges and 20 medium jumbo frets. A classic alder body is available in both timeless Fender finishes and never-before-seen colors unearthed from the archives. Player Series Alnico V Single-Coil J Bass® pickups offer sweet highs, growling mids and seismic lows that elevate any genre. An adjustable 4-saddle bridge, single-groove steel saddles and open-gear tuners ensure precise tuning stability for the flexibility to explore endless sonic possibilities.
Player II Mustang® Bass ($799.99 USD, £679.00 GBP, €799.00 EUR, $1,299.00 AUD, ¥104,500 JPY) The Player II Mustang® Bass PJ radiates timeless Fender charm, but under the hood, it’s primed for today’s players. Everything about the neck is designed for fast and fluid playability, from the Modern “C”-profile with silky satin urethane finish on the back to the comfy 9.5″-radius slab rosewood or maple fingerboard with smooth rolled edges and 20 medium jumbo frets. A classic alder body is available in both timeless Fender finishes and never-before-seen colors unearthed from the archives. Player Series Alnico V Split-Coil P Bass® and Single-Coil J Bass® pickups offer sweet highs, growling mids and seismic lows that elevate any genre. The 3-way toggle switch lets you easily dial in everything this versatile pickup set has to offer, while an adjustable 4-saddle bridge, single-groove steel saddles and open-gear tuners ensure precise tuning stability for the flexibility to explore endless sonic possibilities.
ABOUT FENDER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION:
Since 1946, Fender has revolutionized music and culture as one of the world’s leading musical instrument manufacturers, marketers and distributors. Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC)–whose portfolio of owned and licensed brands includes Fender®, Squier®, Gretsch® guitars, Jackson®, EVH®, Charvel®, Bigsby® and PreSonus® – follows a player-centric approach to crafting the highest-quality instruments and digital experiences across genres. Since 2015, Fender’s digital arm has introduced a new ecosystem of products and interactive experiences to accompany players at every stage of their musical journey. This includes innovative apps and learning platforms designed to complement Fender guitars, amplifiers, effects pedals, accessories and pro-audio gear, and inspire players through an immersive musical experience. FMIC is dedicated to unlocking the power of musical expression for all players, from beginners to history-making legends. In 2021, Fender celebrated 75 years of giving artists “wings to fly,” carrying on the vision of its founder, Leo Fender, and connecting players through a shared love of music.
Fender (standard and stylized), Stratocaster, Strat, Telecaster, Tele, Jazzmaster, Jaguar, Mustang, Precision Bass, P Bass, Jazz Bass, J Bass are trademarks of Fender Musical Instruments Corporation and/or its affiliates, registered in the U.S. and other countries. ClassicGear is a trademark of Fender Musical Instruments Corporation and/or its affiliates.
All other product and company names may be trademarks of their respective owners and may be used herein under license. Use of them does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by or of the respective owners.
SOURCE Fender Musical Instruments Corp.
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Cineverse Partners With VA Media to Expand YouTube Monetization Strategy
Cineverse has announced a strategic partnership with VA Media to accelerate growth and digital monetization across its expanding portfolio of fandom-focused YouTube channels.
The agreement will bring a YouTube-first strategy to Cineverse’s channel network, including longform and shortform content planning, channel optimization, financial modeling, and broader monetization support. The partnership will begin with Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan, which Cineverse identified as its top revenue-generating YouTube channel.
Cineverse said its owned or operated YouTube channels currently account for more than 10 million subscribers and over 200 million video views. The company’s digital portfolio spans genres including horror, anime, romance, indie film, Asian cinema, and other fandom-driven categories.
VA Media, which specializes in YouTube strategy and social video monetization, will work with Cineverse to improve discoverability, strengthen channel performance, and unlock new revenue opportunities across YouTube and adjacent platforms.
The partnership reflects the growing role of YouTube as a core distribution and monetization channel for premium entertainment content.
For more information, visit Cineverse.
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STM Daily News’ Entertainment section delivers the latest on movies, television, music, pop culture, events, and industry buzz. From breaking news and trending stories to feature coverage and community-centered entertainment reporting, it keeps readers connected to what’s happening on screen, on stage, and beyond.
McDonald’s is blending fast food, fandom and Korean-inspired flavors in a new collaboration with Netflix tied to the hit film KPop Demon Hunters. Beginning March 31, the chain will roll out two limited-time adult meals inspired by the movie’s rival groups, HUNTR/X and the Saja Boys, along with collectible photocards and app-based fan experiences. The promotion will be available at participating McDonald’s restaurants nationwide.
McDonald’s KPop Demon Hunters meals
The campaign introduces two themed meals built around the film’s central rivalry. The Saja Boys Breakfast Meal includes a Spicy Saja McMuffin, hash browns and a small soft drink, while the HUNTR/X Meal features a 10-piece Chicken McNuggets, medium soft drink, Ramyeon McShaker Fries, Hunter Sauce and Demon Sauce. McDonald’s said the menu was inspired in part by flavors from its South Korea restaurants, aiming to connect fans to the movie through food as well as pop culture.
The promotion also includes collectible card packs with each meal. Customers will receive a photocard featuring either HUNTR/X or the Saja Boys, plus a Derpy access card that can be scanned and entered in the McDonald’s app by April 26 to unlock early access to exclusive content and a special reveal tied to the “Battle for the Fans.” A new Derpy McFlurry, made with vanilla soft serve, berry popping pearls and wild berry sauce, will also be sold separately during the promotion.
McDonald’s and Netflix both described the collaboration as a way to bring fans deeper into the world of KPop Demon Hunters through menu items and interactive experiences. For STM Daily News readers in the food and drink section, the release highlights how major brands are increasingly turning entertainment partnerships into immersive dining promotions that combine limited-time flavors, collectible merchandise and digital engagement.
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Entertainment
One More Christmas Begins Production as Great American Media Unveils 2026 Holiday Original
Great American Media has announced One More Christmas, a new original holiday film starring Candace Cameron Bure and Jonathan Scarfe, now in production for Great American Christmas 2026. The film adds another early title to the network’s seasonal lineup as it heads into its sixth year of Christmas programming built around faith, family, hope, and redemption.
In the film, Bure plays Anna, a woman who has been divorced from James Campbell, played by Scarfe, for five years. The former couple reunites over Christmas after their daughter invites the family to a Smoky Mountain cabin to meet her serious boyfriend. What starts as an uneasy holiday gathering shifts when a major ice storm traps Anna and James together, forcing them to revisit the past and consider whether their story is really over.
Why It Stands Out
The setup gives One More Christmas a built-in second-chance romance angle, but the family dynamic may be what gives it the most emotional pull. Great American Media is clearly leaning into the kind of heartfelt, values-driven storytelling its audience expects, while continuing to build Candace Cameron Bure’s presence across its holiday slate.
Bure is also serving as an executive producer on the film. Great American Media said she will star in two original movies for the 2026 season and executive produce another holiday feature still to be announced. Bill Abbott, President and CEO of Great American Media, said Bure continues to help define the tone and quality of the network’s Christmas programming.
Creative Team
One More Christmas is executive produced by Candace Cameron Bure, Jeffery Brooks, Ford Englerth, and Tim Owens for CandyRock Entertainment, with Eric Jarboe and Holly Hines executive producing for Happy Accidents. The screenplay is written by Taylor Kalupa and Masey McLain.
CandyRock Entertainment, Bure’s joint venture with Ford Englerth and Jeffery Brooks, has produced and distributed more than 40 television and film projects focused on family-friendly entertainment.
What to Watch For
As Great American Media continues to expand its holiday lineup, One More Christmas looks positioned as one of the network’s early attention-grabbers for 2026. Between Bure’s ongoing creative role, Scarfe’s addition, and the familiar mix of Christmas setting and emotional reconciliation, the film fits squarely within the network’s brand while giving viewers a story built around family tension, weather-forced closeness, and possible renewal.
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