130 Launches Across 81 Stations in 54 Markets
Will Drive Escape to 85% of U.S. and 99 Million Households (HHs),
Grit to 93%/108 Million HHs, Laff to 85%/99 Million HHs,
Bounce TV to 92% of African-American Homes/94 Million Total HHs
ATLANTA (June 15, 2016) — In the largest multicast distribution launch in the history of broadcast television, Katz Broadcasting and Bounce TV announced today that that stations owned or programmed by Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: NXST, “Nexstar”), Mission Broadcasting, Inc. and White Knight Broadcasting, Inc. will carry Escape, Grit, Laff and Bounce TV on 130 channel locations across 81 stations in 54 markets.
The announcement follows the execution of multi-year agreements with Nexstar, Mission and White Knight by Katz Broadcasting, which owns and operates Escape, Grit and Laff, and Bounce Media, the parent company of Bounce TV.
Bounce TV will partner with its’ Louisville affiliate WAVE-TV, owned and operated by Raycom Media, for the special event, airing WAVE’s local hometown coverage and insight nationwide.
The agreement will add:
- 42 new Escape markets, driving Escape to 85% of the United States which represents 99 million homes.
- 28 new markets for Grit, putting Grit in 93% of the U.S., 108M households.
- 45 new Laff markets; Laff is now in 85% of the country, 99M homes.
- 15 new markets for Bounce TV plus Bounce has been renewed by Nexstar in eight other markets and Mission in one market. Bounce TV is now in 81% U.S., 94M homes and 92% of African-American households.
“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. 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,” commented Brian Jones, Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc. Executive Vice President and Co-Chief Operating Officer.
“These are monumental agreements for our networks and the emerging broadcasting business overall,” said Jeffrey Wolf, Chief Distribution Officer for Katz Broadcasting and Bounce TV. “Perry Sook and his team at Nexstar Broadcasting have always been innovators and we’re grateful for the tremendous confidence they’ve placed in our brands.”
The four networks will be carried in multiple combinations on the Nexstar/Mission/White Knight stations in the following markets: Washington, D.C./Hagerstown MD; Phoenix, AZ, Salt Lake City, UT; Memphis, TN; Fresno, CA; Wilkes Barre-Scranton, PA; Little Rock-Pine Bluff, AR; Charleston/Huntington, WV; Green Bay, WI; Roanoke-Lynchburg, VA; Ames-Des Moines, IA; Springfield, MO; Rochester, NY; Huntsville, AL; Shreveport, LA; Syracuse, NY; Champaign-Decatur-Springfield, IL; Harlingen-Weslaco-Brownsville, TX; Waco-Temple-Bryan, TX; El Paso, TX; Baton Rouge, LA; Burlington, VT; Fort Smith-Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR; Davenport, IA/Rock Island-Moline, IL; Evansville, IL; Johnstown-Altoona, PA; Tyler, TX; Peoria, IL; La Crosse-Eau Claire, WI; Amarillo, TX; Rockford, IL; Monroe, LA/El Dorado, AR; Lubbock, TX; Odessa-Midland, TX; Wichita Falls, TX/Lawton, OK; Sioux City, IA; Erie, PA; Joplin, MO; Panama City, FL; Terre Haute, IN; Bluefield/Beckley/Oak Hill, WV; Binghamton, NY; Abilene/Sweetwater, TX; Billings, MT; Clarksburg/Weston, WV; Utica, NY; Dothan, AL; Elmira, NY; Jackson, TN; Watertown, NY; Alexandria, LA; Marquette, WI; Grand Junction, CO and San Angelo, TX. Escape reaches women 25-54 with a brand of programming anchored in stories of crime and mystery. Grit targets men 25-54 with a heavy focus on western and action theatrical motion pictures and series. Both Grit and Escape are C3 rated nationally by Nielsen Media Services while simultaneously expanding into general market advertising sales. Escape will launch into original programming production with five new true-crime series. Laff features a mix of contemporary off-network sitcoms and popular movies. The Laff brand crosses multiple platforms, with the linear network carried on the signals of local broadcast stations with corresponding cable carriage and digital content being curated, aggregated and available at Laff.com and on mobile via the Laff app. Katz Broadcasting was established in 2014 by former Turner Broadcasting executive Jonathan Katz. Bounce TV – the only emerging broadcast network producing original scripted series – is the fastest-growing African-American (AA) network on television. Bounce TV features a programming mix of original and off-network series, theatrical motion pictures, specials, live sports and more. Among the founders of Bounce TV are iconic American figures Martin Luther King, III and former United Nations Ambassador and Civil Rights icon Andrew Young. Nexstar Broadcasting Group is a leading diversified media company that leverages localism to bring new services and value to consumers and advertisers through its traditional media, digital and mobile media platforms. Nexstar owns, operates, programs or provides sales and other services to 104 full power television stations reaching 54 markets or approximately 18.1% of all U.S. television households. Nexstar’s portfolio includes primary affiliates of NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX, MyNetworkTV and The CW. Nexstar’s community portal websites offer additional hyper-local content and verticals for consumers and advertisers, allowing audiences to choose where, when and how they access content while creating new revenue opportunities. Contact: Jim Weiss 770-672-6504 [email protected]
