Free TV Networks (FTN) is set to expand its over-the-air television empire with the launch of its fourth diginet, BUSTED, today, March 2, 2025. Aimed at a male-skewing audience craving high-adrenaline entertainment, BUSTED promises to deliver a gritty lineup of crime-focused, unscripted series. According to FTN’s press release, the channel will offer “endless thrills” and “vicarious real-life ride-alongs,” tapping into the growing resurgence of free over-the-air (OTA) television as a go-to option for cost-conscious viewers. The channel was first announced in January but is now finally going live.
BUSTED’s programming slate includes fan-favorite shows like COPS Reloaded, Jail, Bounty Tank, Court Cam, Neighborhood Wars, Customer Wars, and World’s Wildest Police Videos. These series will immerse viewers in the raw intensity of law enforcement and justice in action, a niche FTN believes is underserved in the broadcast space. “With riveting unscripted series, BUSTED is the only dedicated broadcast channel that takes audiences on vicarious real-life ride-alongs to witness justice in action,” said Jonathan Katz, President and CEO of Free TV Networks, in a statement.
The launch comes at a pivotal moment in the television industry. As cable subscriptions continue to decline and streaming wars heat up, free OTA TV is experiencing a renaissance. Nielsen data reveals that digital broadcast networks saw a 13% increase in viewing share during the 2023/2024 season, with roughly 35 million U.S. households—about one in three—using digital antennas. Industry forecasts predict this number could climb past 50 million by 2027. FTN is capitalizing on this trend, positioning its diginets as compelling alternatives for viewers seeking affordable entertainment without sacrificing quality.
BUSTED joins FTN’s expanding portfolio, which includes 365BLK, launched in January 2024 for African American audiences with blockbuster movies and hit series; OUTLAW, also debuted in January 2024, focusing on classic and contemporary Westerns; and DEFY, introduced in July 2024 with popular unscripted content. These channels, alongside their FAST (free ad-supported streaming TV) counterparts, already reach 90% of U.S. households, a reach BUSTED will inherit through partnerships with major broadcasters like Scripps, Gray Media, Nexstar, and HC2 Broadcasting.
BUSTED’s debut underscores FTN’s commitment to innovation in free TV, offering viewers a front-row seat to action-packed content without the price tag of cable or streaming subscriptions.
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