Katz Networks Names New Distribution SVP

Katz Networks today appointed Bruce Levinson to the newly-created position of senior vice president of distribution.

He will be responsible for the negotiation of distribution agreements for the company’s portfolio of networks, Bounce, Grit, Escape and Laff, with all multichannel video providers and new media distributors in the United States. He will be based in Dallas and report to Katz Networks distribution chief Jeffrey Wolf.

“Bruce is one of the most-well respected executives in television distribution and has a tremendous pedigree of success, negotiating mutually-beneficial agreements and driving distribution for major brands, start-ups and networks sized in-between,” said Wolf. “Bounce, Grit, Escape and Laff are enjoying on-going rapid ratings growth in their universes and Bruce’s experience and relationships will be great assets as we further distribution for our networks to MVPD’s and virtual outlets.”

A 25-year distribution sales veteran, Levinson was most recently VP of content distribution for TheBlaze, a news, information and entertainment network available on television and online, where he was responsible for the growth and distribution of TheBlaze’s television network with cable, telco and satellite providers nationwide.

Prior to TheBlaze, Levinson spent 14 years with NBCUniversal in a similar role for NBCU properties including USA, Syfy, CNBC, MSNBC and Oxygen. Levinson has also helped shape distribution agreements for Bravo Networks, Fox Cable Networks and Starz.

The Katz networks are part of The E.W. Scripps Co.