Press release

Suzanne Satterfield Joins Free TV Networks as General Counsel

Company Promotes Joe Cantrell and Athanasios Tsiris

September 23, 2024 - Atlanta, GA) – Veteran entertainment legal executive Suzanne Satterfield has been named General Counsel at Free TV Networks, it was announced today by Jonathan Katz, President & CEO, Free TV Networks. Katz also announced the promotions of Joe Cantrell to Chief Distribution & Development Officer, and Athansios Tsiris to Senior Vice President, Digital, Distribution & Partnerships.

“We are incredibly fortunate to have a seasoned lawyer like Suzanne join our world-class team. In this ever-changing media landscape, she brings a unique blend of legal and media expertise with a focus on managing complex entertainment rights issues,” said Katz. “We’re also thrilled to recognize Joe and Athanasios’ successful accomplishments during our company’s first year and look forward to them continuing to drive growth and innovation for Free TV Networks.” 

Satterfield is a highly-respected legal executive with extensive experience in copyright law, intellectual property, and rights management, particularly within the entertainment and media sectors. She joins Free TV Networks from Warner Bros. Discovery, where she served as a trusted advisor in the legal department for 16 years.  During her tenure, she became an expert in content rights, including studio acquisitions and original programming, and helped the company navigate dramatic changes in technology, distribution strategy, and audience viewing behaviors.  As Vice President and Legal Counsel for Global Rights Management, a role she has held since July 2023, she led a team that was instrumental in the launch and expansion of the MAX streaming services in the U.S. and Europe. 

Satterfield began her legal career as a litigator with Troutman Sanders LLP, where she represented CNN and Court TV in actions to gain access to criminal courtroom proceedings.  Her career has been strongly influenced by her first job as a Writer and Producer for CNN Headline News.

Cantrell moves up to Chief Distribution and Development Officer from Executive Vice President, Network Operations & Development, a role he has held since October 2023. Cantrell now oversees distribution, network and technical operations, media management, digital and business development for Free TV Networks  Prior to that, he was at Teton Ridge, where he served as Senior Vice President of Business Development from February 2022 to September 2023. Previously, he served as Director of Strategic Planning and Development at Raycom Media from 2016 to 2018 and was Vice President of Strategic Marketing at Alfa Insurance from 2011 to 2015.

Reporting to Cantrell, Tsiris adds all of Free TV Networks’ digital initiatives to his oversight, as Senior Vice President, Digital, Distribution & Partnerships. He was previously Senior Vice President, Distribution & Partnerships, a role he has held since May 2024, leading strategic initiatives to expand digital distribution channels and drive content partnerships. Prior to Free TV Networks, Tsiris spent more than a year at Screen Media Ventures as Vice President of Content Acquisitions, and, before that as Senior Manager of Content Partnerships, where he spearheaded acquisitions for FAST and AVOD across Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment's OTT services. Before his tenure at Screen Media, Tsiris worked at Redbox Entertainment Inc. for over three years, holding various roles, including Senior Manager of Content Partnerships - FAST & AVOD and Sr. Content Partnerships Manager. He led digital content acquisitions for Redbox’s AVOD, FAST, and TVOD/EST platforms. 

This year, Free TV Networks has launched three national broadcast networks. DEFY, featuring unscripted hit series, THE365, which is focused on African American programming, and OUTLAW, which features the biggest stars in iconic Western films and series. Free TV Networks’ strategic partners include global content leaders Warner Bros. Discovery, Lionsgate, A+E Networks, and broadcast powerhouse Gray Television. Free TV Networks is capitalizing on the resurgence of over-the-air viewing, the rise of digital broadcast networks, and the rapid growth in ad-supported streaming channels. Today, nearly one in three U.S. households – about 35 million homes – have a digital antenna, with the market projected to surpass 50 million U.S. households by 2027. 

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Contact:  Scott Rowe 

SRowe2000@gmail.com

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OVER-THE-AIR CHANNEL FROM FREE TV NETWORKS STARTS BROADCASTING IN 85% OF THE COUNTRY TODAY, JULY 1

National Ad-Supported Broadcast Network Features Popular Library Unscripted Series Including “American Pickers,” “Storage Wars,” “Pawn Stars,” “Alone,” “Swamp People,” “Counting Cars,” and “Ax Men” 

(July 1, 2024 - Atlanta, GA) – DEFY (announced in April as DARE) officially started broadcasting at 6 AM ET today (July 1), when Free TV Networks launched the new over-the-air ad-supported network featuring unscripted hit series including “American Pickers,” “Storage Wars,” “Pawn Stars,” “Alone,” “Swamp People,” “Counting Cars,” and “Ax Men” to name a few. DEFY is debuting in 85% of the US. Free TV Networks threw the switch at 6 AM ET, broadcasting the network across the United States to consumers watching with over-the-air antennas. Viewers can find DEFY in their market here.

     “With an existing large and growing audience, the DEFY network features distinctive, compelling, and, above all, entertaining programming that viewers truly can’t get enough of,” said Jonathan Katz, President & CEO, Free TV Networks. “DEFY offers value-conscious consumers a differentiated and world-class reality channel delivered for free, over-the-air, with addictive series proven to deliver for advertisers.”

     In only a few short months, Free TV Networks has launched three national broadcast networks. DEFY joins THE365 which is focused on African American programming and OUTLAW which features the biggest stars in iconic Western films and series. Both networks are in partnership with global content leaders Warner Bros. Discovery and Lionsgate and broadcast powerhouse Gray Television. Free TV Networks is capitalizing on the resurgence of over-the-air viewing, the rise of digital broadcast networks, and the rapid growth in ad-supported streaming channels. Today, nearly one in three U.S. households – about 35 million homes – have a digital antenna, with the market projected to surpass 50 million U.S. households by 2027. 

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Contact:  Scott Rowe 

SRowe2000@gmail.com

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March 18, 2024

THE365 Quickly Grows to 89% U.S. Coverage, OUTLAW Climbs to 87% 

Company Taps Elverage Allen And His Multicultural Ad Sales Rep Firm “Step By Step Communications” to Handle Sponsorship and General Market Advertising For Recently Launched “THE365” 

(Atlanta, GA) – Free TV Networks (FTN), the new company serving value-conscious consumers with a portfolio of national ad-supported over-the-air networks and FAST channels, today announced a major expansion of broadcast distribution for THE365 and OUTLAW through new carriage agreements with TEGNA, Sunbeam, HC2 Broadcasting and other station groups. The announcement was made by Joe Cantrell, Executive Vice President, Network Operations and Development, Free TV Networks. 

By the second quarter of this year, THE365 will reach 89% of all U.S. television households which equates to 111 million homes, including 96% of African American households. Twenty-nine new markets for the network will include Seattle (KING), Miami (WSVN), Grand Rapids, Mich. (WZZM), Norfolk, Va. (WVEC), Greensboro, N.C. (WFMY), Spokane, Wash. (KSKN), Portland, Maine (WCSH) and Beaumont, Texas (KBMT). Similarly, OUTLAW will now reach 87% of U.S. television households or 109 million homes. Twenty-eight new OUTLAW markets include Austin, Texas (KVUE), Grand Rapids, Mich. (WZZM), Norfolk, Va. (WVEC), Greensboro, N.C. (WFMY), Spokane, Wash. (KREM), and Portland, Maine (WCSH). Both networks also boast significant cable carriage. 

“The addition of these powerful stations in so many key markets widens the already robust coverage for our two growing young networks,” Cantrell said. 

Free TV Networks partnered with global content leaders Warner Bros. Discovery and Lionsgate and broadcast powerhouse Gray Television in launching two national ad-supported over-the-air channels on January 1, which are free to consumers. Featuring blockbuster movies and hit series, FTN’s first networks are focused on African 

American programming (THE365) and Westerns (OUTLAW). The new company is capitalizing on the resurgence of over-the-air viewing, the rise of diginets, and the rapid growth in ad-supported streaming channels. Today, nearly one in three U.S. households – about 35 million homes – have a digital antenna, with the market projected to surpass 50 million U.S. households by 2027. 

Jonathan Katz, President and CEO of Free TV Networks, also announced today that FTN has retained Elverage Allen and his African American-owned media sales company Step By Step Communications to handle sponsorship and general market advertising for THE365, FTN’s flagship national network serving African American viewers. Step By Step Communications is a State Certified Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) led by Allen, who previously worked as the Executive Vice President of Ad Sales for the Katz Networks, including Bounce TV. 

“With best-in-class programming and accelerated distribution, THE365 is fast becoming a favorite of African American audiences. We are thrilled to once again work with Elverage whose minority-owned general market ad sales firm will bring national brands new opportunities to reach our desirable audience of scale,” Katz said. 

“THE365 has quickly emerged as a strong platform for advertisers and brands to reach Black consumers,” said Allen. “With premiere content partners and vast reach, THE365 will continue to grow as a destination for millions of viewers. As we approach the 2024/2025 upfront season, it’s clear that the future of TV viewing is moving away from paid platforms and towards FREE, which advertisers already recognize as an important part of their budget mix.” 

About Step By Step Communications 

Step By Step Communications is a leading African American-owned media sales company known in the industry for its strong advertising partnerships and effective campaigns that resonate with diverse audiences. A State Certified Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), the company, and its leader Elverage Allen, have been recognized for outstanding contributions to diversity marketing. Allen was named the Ad Sales Executive of the Year by Broadcast & Cable Magazine in 2016. Allen previously worked at Sunwise Media, the Katz Networks and TV One. 

Media Contact: 

Free TV Networks 

Scott Rowe SRowe2000 Media srowe2000@gmail.com 

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November 7, 2023 

DIGINET PIONEER JONATHAN KATZ FORMS STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP WITH CONTENT LEADERS WARNER BROS. DISCOVERY AND LIONSGATE AND BROADCAST POWERHOUSE GRAY TELEVISION CREATING NEW BROADCAST-DRIVEN COMPANY: FREE TV NETWORKS

Free TV Networks to Serve Value-Conscious Consumers with Portfolio of National Ad-Supported Over-The-Air and FAST Channels.

Two New Diginets to Launch in 80% of the U.S. on New Year’s Day 

Founders include Martin Luther King III and Alan Haymon who will serve on Board of Directors 

Company Announces Senior Leadership Team 

(November 7, 2023 - Atlanta, GA) - Free TV Networks (FTN), founded and led by Jonathan Katz, a digital broadcast network entrepreneur and pioneer, is partnering with global content leaders Warner Bros. Discovery and Lionsgate and broadcast powerhouse Gray Television to launch national ad-supported over-the-air and streaming channels that are free-to-consumers. Featuring world-class programming from Warner Bros. Discovery and Lionsgate, the first channels will be focused on the demand for both African- American programming and Westerns. The new company and network launch plans were unveiled today by Jonathan Katz, President & CEO, Free TV Networks; David Decker, President, Content Sales, Warner Bros. Discovery; Jim Packer, President of Worldwide Television Distribution, Lionsgate; and Pat LaPlatney, President & Co-CEO, Gray Television.

Launching New Year’s Day as a “diginet” (digital broadcast network), Free TV Networks’ flagship brand will be THE365 (positioned as “Black, All Day, Every Day”), serving African American viewers with blockbuster movies and hit series including Warner Bros.’ I Am Legend, Purple Rain and Queen Sugar along with Academy Award winners Crash and Monster’s Ball, Quentin Tarantino’s Jackie Brown, Tyler Perry’s Madea’s Family Reunion and the satirical comedy/drama Dear White People from Lionsgate.

FTN’s second over-the-air network, OUTLAW (“The Western Channel”), also premiering Jan.1, 2024, will serve male demographics with iconic and legendary tales of the Old West, including Warner Bros. movies Unforgiven, Chisum, Pale Rider and Wyatt Earp.

The over-the-air networks will launch with distribution in 80% of the U.S., anchored by Free TV Networks partner Gray Television. Additional distribution for the networks will be across RNN Media Group and HC2 Broadcasting’s footprint of overthe-air stations.

In addition, Free TV Networks will launch several ad-supported FAST (free ad-supported streaming television) networks in the coming months driven by acquired content, including streaming versions of THE365 and OUTLAW, along with channels featuring pop-culture fan-favorite movies and series from the VHS era titled VCR ACTION and VCR HAHA.

Free TV Networks will capitalize on the resurgence of over-the-air viewing, the rise of  diginets, and the rapid growth in ad-supported streaming channels. Today, nearly 1 in 3 U.S. households – about 35 million homes – have a digital antenna, with the market projected to surpass 50 million U.S. households by 2027. “Never underestimate the power of ‘free.’ Audiences and advertisers have driven the thriving ad market for digital broadcast networks to well over $1 Billion, with FAST channel revenues now more than $5 Billion,” said Katz. “The Free TV Networks team has a successful and profitable track record scaling well-defined brands designed to serve the ever-growing number of value-conscious consumers combining free over-the-air and FAST channels with their favorite streaming services.”

“We have a long and successful strategy licensing our world-class content to every platform—from networks and syndication to digital and streaming,” said Decker. “Free TV Networks fits this perfectly, and we’re happy to offer our hit films and television shows to their audiences.”

“These digital broadcast and FAST channels bring together two content leaders, one of the nation’s largest broadcast companies, and a respected industry pioneer in support of a strong lineup of African American and Western programming,” said Packer. “This is a great opportunity to serve two large and scalable demos with world-class IP in a well-defined market segment.”

“Serving diverse communities is a key piece of our strategy at Gray and has served us well for decades,” said LaPlatney. “Our partnership with Free TV Networks is another illustration of our strong commitment to the continued growth of broadcast television within today’s media ecosystem and the importance of delivering high-value entertainment without high costs to our viewers.”

Serving as advisors to support management’s strategic growth initiatives, Free TV Networks founders and Board Directors include human rights activist and philanthropist, Martin Luther King III, and Alan Haymon, a legendary businessman in entertainment, who has been a dominant force in music, television and boxing. 

Katz also announced his senior leadership team featuring accomplished broadcast, cable and streaming executives, including:

• Maria Harvey, Chief Financial Officer (Scripps Networks, Katz Networks, Deloitte)
• Phil Oppenheim, Chief Content Officer (Epix, Lionsgate, Turner Broadcasting)
• Richard Steiner, Chief Digital Officer (Scripps Networks, Warner Media, Turner Broadcasting, STARZ)
• Jackie Trube, Chief People Officer (Scripps Networks, Katz Networks, Turner Broadcasting)
• Jon Marks, Chief Research Officer (Scripps Networks, Turner Broadcasting)
• Noriko Ishihara, Executive Vice President, Ad Sales Operations (Scripps Networks, Katz Networks, Turner Broadcasting)
• Joe Cantrell, Executive Vice President, Network Operations & Development (Teton Ridge, Raycom Media)
• Bryan Slonaker, Executive Vice President, Creative Services (Scripps Networks, Katz Networks, Turner Broadcasting)
• Tracy Underwood, Chief of Staff (Scripps Networks, Katz Networks, Turner Broadcasting)
• Jim Mitchell, Senior Vice President, Chief of Technical Operations (Scripps Networks, Katz Networks, Encompass, Harris Corp.)
• Amber Hrabovsky, Senior Vice President, Content Operations (Scripps Networks, Katz Networks, Turner Broadcasting)
• Jeff Carr, Vice President, Content (Warner Media, Turner Broadcasting)
• Nia Dozier, Vice President, Standards and Practices (Scripps Networks, Katz Networks, Turner Broadcasting)

Katz is best known as the founder of the Katz Networks, a pioneering digital over-the-air networks company whose portfolio included broadcast networks Bounce (African American), Escape (true-crime), Grit (westerns), Laff (comedy) and Court TV, along with corresponding free ad-supported streaming services. The Katz Networks were acquired by the E.W. Scripps Company in 2017, and then combined with Ion Media in 2021, at which point Katz became the Chief Operating Officer and Head of Entertainment for the Scripps Networks, a new national television business, where he led both the ION broadcast network and the Katz Networks’ portfolio.

Prior to that, Katz was Senior Vice President & General Manager, Worldwide Program Planning & Acquisitions for the Turner Entertainment Group, leading the division responsible for acquiring all licensed and key original content for Turner’s Entertainment Networks (TBS, TNT, TCM, Court TV/Tru TV) and Animation, Young Adults & Kids Media businesses (Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Boomerang) as well as The WB broadcast network. Most recently, Katz was President of publicly traded Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment (CSSE). In that role, Katz was responsible for the Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment operating businesses, including Redbox (DVD/TVOD/AVOD/FAST), Crackle (AVOD/FAST), Chicken Soup for the Soul (AVOD/FAST), Screen Media Ventures (distribution) and Halcyon Studios (original production).

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About Warner Bros. Discovery

Warner Bros. Discovery (NASDAQ: WBD) is a leading global media and entertainment company that creates and distributes the world’s most differentiated and complete portfolio of content and brands across television, film and streaming. Available in more than 220 countries and territories and 50 languages, Warner Bros. Discovery inspires, informs and entertains audiences worldwide through its iconic brands and products including: Discovery Channel, Max, discovery+, CNN, DC, Eurosport, HBO, HGTV, Food Network, OWN, Investigation Discovery, TLC, Magnolia Network, TNT, TBS, truTV, Travel Channel, MotorTrend, Animal Planet, Science Channel, Warner Bros. Film Group, Warner Bros. Television Group, Warner Bros. Games, New Line Cinema, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Turner Classic Movies, Discovery en Espa.ol, Hogar de HGTV and others. For more information, please visit www.wbd.com.

About Lionsgate

Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF.A, LGF.B) encompasses world-class motion picture and television studio operations aligned with the STARZ premium global subscription platform to bring a unique and varied portfolio of entertainment to consumers around the world. The Company's film, television, subscription and location-based entertainment businesses are backed by an 18,000-title library and a valuable collection of iconic film and television franchises. A digital age company driven by its entrepreneurial culture and commitment to innovation, the Lionsgate brand is synonymous with bold, original, relatable entertainment for audiences worldwide.

About Gray Television:

Gray Television, Inc. is a multimedia company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Gray is the nation’s largest owner of top-rated local television stations and digital assets in the United States. Its television stations serve 113 television markets that collectively reach approximately 36 percent of US television households. This portfolio includes 80 markets with the top-rated television station and 102 markets with the first and/or second highest rated television station. Gray also owns video program companies Raycom Sports, Tupelo Media Group, and PowerNation Studios, as well as the studio production facilities Assembly Atlanta and Third Rail Studios. Gray owns a majority interest in Swirl Films. For more information, please visit www.gray.tv.

Media Contacts:

Free TV Networks

Scott Rowe

SRowe2000 Media

srowe2000@gmail.com

Warner Bros. Discovery

Blake Bryant

blake.bryant@wbd.com

Lionsgate

Laurel Pecchia

lpecchia@lionsgate.com

Gray Television

Pat LaPlatney

pat.laplatney@gray.tv