ATLANTA, June 15, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- In the largest
multicast distribution launch in the history of broadcast
television, Katz Broadcasting and Bounce TV announced today that
that stations owned or programmed by Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: NXST,
"Nexstar"), Mission Broadcasting, Inc. and White Knight
Broadcasting, Inc. will carry Escape, Grit, Laff and Bounce TV on
130 channel locations across 81 stations in 54 markets.
The announcement follows the execution of multi-year agreements
with Nexstar, Mission and White Knight by Katz Broadcasting, which
owns and operates Escape, Grit and Laff, and Bounce Media, the
parent company of Bounce TV.
The agreement will add:
- 42 new Escape markets, driving Escape to 85% of the United States which represents 99 million
homes.
- 28 new markets for Grit, putting Grit in 93% of the U.S., 108M
households.
- 45 new Laff markets; Laff is now in 85% of the country,
99M homes.
- 15 new markets for Bounce TV plus Bounce has been renewed by
Nexstar in eight other markets and Mission in one market.
Bounce TV is now in 81% U.S., 94M homes and 92% of
African-American households.
"Escape, Grit, Laff and Bounce TV are unique brands that are
complementary to our stations' existing high quality, original,
local news and other exclusive local and network-affiliated
programming. Nexstar's top priority is serving the needs of the
people and communities where we operate and with the launch of
these digital multicast networks across the companies' broadcast
platforms, we are delivering more exciting content to local viewers
including classic and contemporary off-network sitcoms, original
programming, popular movies, action series, documentaries,
specials, live sports and more. Katz Broadcasting and Bounce
TV are managed by seasoned and talented teams of television
veterans who have a proven track record of success in both curating
and producing excellent programming and we believe consumers in our
markets will enjoy all four networks for many years to come,"
commented Brian Jones,
Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc. Executive Vice President and
Co-Chief Operating Officer.
"These are monumental agreements for our networks and the
emerging broadcasting business overall," said Jeffrey Wolf, Chief Distribution Officer for
Katz Broadcasting and Bounce TV. "Perry Sook and his team at Nexstar Broadcasting
have always been innovators and we're grateful for the tremendous
confidence they've placed in our brands."
The four networks will be carried in multiple combinations on
the Nexstar/Mission/White Knight stations in the following
markets: Washington,
D.C./Hagerstown MD;
Phoenix, AZ, Salt Lake City, UT; Memphis, TN; Fresno, CA; Wilkes Barre-Scranton, PA; Little
Rock-Pine Bluff, AR;
Charleston/Huntington, WV; Green Bay, WI; Roanoke-Lynchburg,
VA; Ames-Des Moines, IA; Springfield, MO; Rochester, NY; Huntsville, AL; Shreveport, LA; Syracuse, NY; Champaign-Decatur-Springfield,
IL; Harlingen-Weslaco-Brownsville,
TX; Waco-Temple-Bryan,
TX; El Paso, TX;
Baton Rouge, LA; Burlington, VT; Fort
Smith-Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers,
AR; Davenport,
IA/Rock Island-Moline, IL; Evansville, IL; Johnstown-Altoona,
PA; Tyler, TX; Peoria, IL; La
Crosse-Eau Claire, WI;
Amarillo, TX; Rockford, IL; Monroe, LA/El
Dorado, AR; Lubbock, TX;
Odessa-Midland, TX; Wichita
Falls, TX/Lawton, OK;
Sioux City, IA; Erie, PA;
Joplin, MO; Panama City, FL; Terre Haute, IN; Bluefield/Beckley/Oak Hill,
WV; Binghamton, NY;
Abilene/Sweetwater, TX; Billings, MT; Clarksburg/Weston,
WV; Utica, NY; Dothan, AL; Elmira,
NY; Jackson, TN;
Watertown, NY; Alexandria, LA; Marquette, WI; Grand
Junction, CO and San Angelo,
TX.
Escape reaches women 25-54 with a brand of programming anchored
in stories of crime and mystery. Grit targets men 25-54 with a
heavy focus on western and action theatrical motion pictures and
series. Both Grit and Escape are C3 rated nationally by Nielsen
Media Services while simultaneously expanding into general market
advertising sales. Escape will launch into original programming
production with five new true-crime series. Laff features a mix of
contemporary off-network sitcoms and popular movies. The Laff
brand crosses multiple platforms, with the linear network carried
on the signals of local broadcast stations with corresponding cable
carriage and digital content being curated, aggregated and
available at Laff.com and on mobile via the Laff app. Katz
Broadcasting was established in 2014 by former Turner Broadcasting
executive Jonathan Katz.
Bounce TV - the only emerging broadcast network producing
original scripted series - is the fastest-growing African-American
(AA) network on television. Bounce TV features a programming mix of
original and off-network series, theatrical motion pictures,
specials, live sports and more. Among the founders of Bounce
TV are iconic American figures Martin
Luther King, III and former United Nations Ambassador and
Civil Rights icon Andrew Young.
Nexstar Broadcasting Group is a leading diversified media
company that leverages localism to bring new services and value to
consumers and advertisers through its traditional media, digital
and mobile media platforms. Nexstar owns, operates, programs or
provides sales and other services to 104 full power television
stations reaching 54 markets or approximately 18.1% of all U.S.
television households. Nexstar's portfolio includes primary
affiliates of NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX, MyNetworkTV and The CW. Nexstar's
community portal websites offer additional hyper-local content and
verticals for consumers and advertisers, allowing audiences to
choose where, when and how they access content while creating new
revenue opportunities.
Contact:
|
Jim Weiss
|
770-672-6504
|
JWeiss@KatzBroadcasting.com
|
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SOURCE Katz Broadcasting