With free TV experiencing a mini-renaissance, a pioneer in the digital broadcast space is launching a new venture — with help from several big players.
Jonathan Katz, who founded Katz Broadcasting (Bounce TV, Court TV, Laff), is launching Free TV Networks with two diginets on Jan. 1. The new channels will be offered over the air and via free, ad-supported streaming in partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery and Lionsgate — which will both provide content for the channels — and station owner Gray Television.
The two channels set to launch on New Year’s Day are The365, aimed at Black viewers, and Outlaw, which will feature classic westerns. Both will be available in about 80 percent of the United States. Streaming versions of the two channels will launch later next year, along with channels titled Vcr Action and Vcr Haha, featuring movies from “the VHS era” (i.e., the 1980s and ’90s).
“Never underestimate the power of ‘free,...
Jonathan Katz, who founded Katz Broadcasting (Bounce TV, Court TV, Laff), is launching Free TV Networks with two diginets on Jan. 1. The new channels will be offered over the air and via free, ad-supported streaming in partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery and Lionsgate — which will both provide content for the channels — and station owner Gray Television.
The two channels set to launch on New Year’s Day are The365, aimed at Black viewers, and Outlaw, which will feature classic westerns. Both will be available in about 80 percent of the United States. Streaming versions of the two channels will launch later next year, along with channels titled Vcr Action and Vcr Haha, featuring movies from “the VHS era” (i.e., the 1980s and ’90s).
“Never underestimate the power of ‘free,...
- 11/7/2023
- by Rick Porter
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Free TV Networks, a new programming entity with a presence in both over-the-air broadcast and streaming, has enlisted Warner Bros. Discovery, Lionsgate and Gray Television as partners and suppliers.
The new company is founded and led by Jonathan Katz, who gained attention a decade ago by creating multicast networks, or “diginets” using spectrum made available via the TV industry’s conversion to high-definition signals during the 2000s. That portfolio of networks, including Bounce, Escape and Grit was acquired in 2017 by E.W. Scripps for $292 million.
The first channels from Free TV will be networks centered on African-American programming and Westerns. Launching New Year’s Day as a diginet, the flagship brand will be The365. It will cater to African-American viewers with a lineup of movies and series like
Warner Bros.’ I Am Legend, Purple Rain and Queen Sugar along with Lionsgate titles like Crash, Monster’s Ball,...
The new company is founded and led by Jonathan Katz, who gained attention a decade ago by creating multicast networks, or “diginets” using spectrum made available via the TV industry’s conversion to high-definition signals during the 2000s. That portfolio of networks, including Bounce, Escape and Grit was acquired in 2017 by E.W. Scripps for $292 million.
The first channels from Free TV will be networks centered on African-American programming and Westerns. Launching New Year’s Day as a diginet, the flagship brand will be The365. It will cater to African-American viewers with a lineup of movies and series like
Warner Bros.’ I Am Legend, Purple Rain and Queen Sugar along with Lionsgate titles like Crash, Monster’s Ball,...
- 11/7/2023
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
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