Now, in a sign that cord cutting is growing, 130 new channels will be launched over the next year in 81 current stations (as in a new 8.3 sub-channel on an existing channel 8). This deal will bring Escape, GRIT, Laff, and Bounce to channels owned by Nexstar Broadcasting, Mission Broadcasting, and White Knight Broadcasting.
After all the stations are live Escape will be in 42 additional markets and reach 85% of the United States; Grit will add 28 markets and reach 93% of the United States; Laff gains 45 markets and will be in 85% of the United States; and Bounce TV will be in 15 new markets and 81% of the United States.
Grit, is aimed at male viewers; Escape targets females; and Laff, which features comedy programming, are owned by Jonathan Katz’s Katz Broadcasting. Katz is also COO of Bounce TV, which serves African Americans over the air.
“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,” said Brian Jones, executive VP and co-chief operating officer of Nexstar.
“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,” Jones said.
This is a great moment to remind everyone to rescan for new channels on their TVs. A few months ago I did that and found 2 new stations.
Don’t have an antenna? Check out AntennaRecommendations.com to find out what channels you should be able to pick up.
Here are the towns that will get the new stations:
- Washington, D.C.
- Hagerstown, Md.
- Phoenix, Ariz.
- Salt Lake City, Utah
- Memphis, Tenn.
- Fresno, Calif.
- Wilkes Barre-Scranton, Pa.
- Little Rock-Pine Bluff, Ark.
- Charleston/Huntington, W.Va.
- Green Bay, Wisc.
- Roanoke-Lynchburg, Va.
- Ames-Des Moines, Iowa
- Springfield, Mo.
- Rochester, N.Y.
- Huntsville, Ala.
- Shreveport, LA
- Syracuse, N.Y.
- Champaign-Decatur-Springfield, Ill.
- Harlingen-Weslaco-Brownsville, Texas
- Waco-Temple-Bryan, Texas
- El Paso, Texas
- Baton Rouge, La.
- Burlington, Vt.
- Fort Smith-Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, Ark.
- Davenport, Iowa/Rock Island-Moline, Ill.
- Evansville, Ill.
- Johnstown-Altoona, Pa.
- Tyler, Texas
- Peoria, Ill.
- La Crosse-Eau Claire, Wisc.
- Amarillo, Texas
- Rockford, Ill.
- Monroe, La./El Dorado
- Ark; Lubbock, Texas
- Odessa-Midland, Texas
- Wichita Falls, Texas/Lawton, Okla.
- Sioux City, Iowa
- Erie, Pa.
- Joplin, Mo.
- Panama City, Fla.
- Terre Haute, Ind.
- Bluefield/Beckley/Oak Hill, W.Va.
- Binghamton, N.Y.
- Abilene/Sweetwater, Texas
- Billings, Mont.
- Clarksburg/Weston, W.Va.
- Utica, N.Y.
- Dothan, Ala.
- Elmira, N.Y.
- Jackson, Tenn.
- Watertown, N.Y.
- Alexandria, La.
- Marquette, Wisc.
- Grand Junction, Colo.
- San Angelo, Texas
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