Today, E.W. Scripps Company, the parent company of the ION TV network, is launching the ION Plus, a new free OTA TV network that is available in 90% of the United States television homes free over the air. The channel will replace Defy but that channel is not sitting down.
The Free TV Network will relaunch Defy on new channels today with a lineup of A+E Network shows and content. The Free TV Network originally planned to launch the channel under the Dare name but will now call it Defy. You can find out where to watch Defy 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.”
ION Plus has been free streaming on a wide range of services, including Samsung TV Plus, The Roku Channel, Vizio WatchFree+, LG Channels, and Amazon Freevee. You could also find it on Fubo but now it will start being broadcast for free to anyone with an antenna in its markets.
Here is how E.W. Scripps Company describes ION Plus “ION Plus features general entertainment programming, including fan-favorite television series and dramas, such as “MacGyver,” “Scorpion,” “Murdoch Mysteries,” “Leverage,” Hudson & Rex” and “Private Eyes.” It joins the flagship ION and ION Mystery as free, linear TV networks, extending ION brand’s reach to an even bigger audience.”
Update: We updated the story with the launch date of today for Defy.