Sinclair Broadcast Group has announced a significant partnership with ABC Owned Television Stations, bringing the CHARGE! network to viewers across more than 100 U.S. markets this fall. CHARGE!, known for its lineup of iconic police procedural franchises such as “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” and “CSI NY,” will now be accessible on ABC Owned Television Stations’ Diginet 3 channel slots.
This collaboration serves as a strategic move for CHARGE!, allowing it to tap into ABC’s leading market positions and significantly expand its reach. Starting today, the network will be broadcast on ABC’s powerhouse stations, including WABC-TV New York, KABC-TV Los Angeles, and WLS-TV Chicago, among others. This expansion adds four million new households to CHARGE!’s viewership, enhancing its presence in the broadcasting landscape.
Lee Schlazer, SVP of Distribution at Sinclair, expressed enthusiasm over this new move, explaining, “We are thrilled to launch CHARGE! and broaden our partnership with ABC Owned Television Stations. Sinclair continues to grow our multicast networks and securing big- 4 network row positioning for the launch of CHARGE! on all eight ABC powerhouse stations was a key strategic initiative.”
This agreement comes at a pivotal moment for Amazon, as Prime Video transitions to an ad-supported model, with Freevee at the forefront of this shift. Sinclair’s move to secure prime channel positioning for CHARGE! on ABC’s stations underscores the growing importance of multicast networks in the today’s still-evolving media ecosystem.
Multicast networks similar to CHARGE! offer a blend of nostalgic favorites and new adventures, presenting an appealing choice to a broad audience seeking diverse entertainment options. As Sinclair continues its upfront discussions with buyers, the focus is on highlighting the value of multicast networks as an effective medium for reaching audiences traditionally served by cable.
As CHARGE! secures its place on ABC’s Diginet 3 across key markets, viewers can look forward to easy access to their favorite shows, heralding a new era of free, quality entertainment accessible to millions more across the United States. This collaboration not only exemplifies the growing significance of multicast networks in providing diverse viewing options but also reinforces the commitment of both Sinclair and ABC to enrich the traditional television landscape for audiences nationwide.