NewsNet Launches In New York, Los Angeles

After five months on-air, NewsNet, a 24/7 news channel now reaches the top three TV markets in the country, and is continuing to expand its reach nationwide.

NewsNet launched Jan. 1 as a subchannel on 18 TV stations across the country. Launch markets included Chicago, Houston, San Francisco and Detroit, and the network has expanded its reach since launch.

In April, NewsNet debuted on KFLA Los Angeles on ch. 8.1, and last month, it was added to WJLP New York (ch. 33.6). The diginet is now on-air in six of the country’s top 10 markets, with 36 affiliates now carrying the network. Five additional stations have committed to carrying it in the coming weeks, and NewsNet is finalizing affiliation agreements with several other stations as well.

“We’re thrilled to be working with WJLP and KFLA as we continue to expand our reach,” said Eric Wotila, NewsNet president. “Thanks to these stations and our many other affiliates, our network can now be received via antenna in over 25% of households nationwide.”

NewsNet targets cord-cutters, aiming to bring 24-hour news to a growing audience that doesn’t want to pay for cable or satellite. The network follows a traditional “news wheel” format providing a quick look at the headlines every half hour, without any talk or opinion-based programming.

“We’ve found that there’s a strong demand for no-nonsense, straight-to-the-facts reporting, and that’s what we’re delivering,” Wotila said.

Last month, NewsNet broke ground on an addition to its Michigan-based facility, which will add three new studios and control rooms as well as additional office space. Continued growth is in the works, it says.

“We have some great things in store later this year,” Wotila said, “and we can’t wait to show them off once our building expansion is complete.”