April 3, 2024
“DARE” Will Be A National Ad-Supported Broadcast Network Featuring Popular Library Unscripted Series Including “American Pickers,” “Storage Wars,” “Pawn Stars,” “Alone,” “Swamp People,” “Counting Cars,” and “Ax Men”
(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 that it will launch a third national broadcast network called DARE featuring popular unscripted series from the library of A+E Networks®. The new network will include many hit series including “American Pickers,” “Storage Wars,” “Pawn Stars,” “Alone,” “Swamp People,” “Counting Cars,” and “Ax Men” to name a few. DARE, which will debut in more than 80% of the US on July 1 and challenge viewers to “DARE TO DEFY,” marks the third broadcast network for FTN following the successful launches on January 1 of THE365 and OUTLAW. The new network was announced today by Jonathan Katz, President & CEO, Free TV Networks.
“We are thrilled to partner with A+E Networks and offer value-conscious consumers a differentiated and world-class reality channel delivered for free, over-the- air,” said Katz. “All of DARE’s unscripted and popular programming has been proven to deliver a growing audience of scale for advertisers. With our first two networks already exceeding initial viewership and revenue expectations, DARE moves us closer to becoming the country’s leading independent owner and operator of premium, digital broadcast networks.”
Free TV Networks partnered with global content leaders Warner Bros. Discovery and Lionsgate and broadcast powerhouse Gray Television to launch 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). Free TV Networks 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.
Media Contact:
Scott Rowe
Free TV Networks 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:
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
Warner Bros. Discovery
Blake Bryant
Lionsgate
Laurel Pecchia
Gray Television
Pat LaPlatney
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