Tribune To Oversee This TV Programming

Tribune Broadcasting and MGM Television today announced a new programming operations relationship for This TV, the 24/7 free digital network that features movies from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s 4,000-plus library. Effective this fall, Tribune Broadcasting will oversee all programming operations for the digital network.

Launched in November of 2008, with Tribune joining as an affiliate partner in 2009, the network is now carried in more than 85% of the United States.  To kick off the new relationship between MGM and Tribune, the network will feature such box-office hits as the Academy Award-winning Platoon, Ronin, Barbershop 2, Get Shorty, Benny and Joon, Original Sin and Four Weddings and a Funeral.

The companies said MGM and Tribune’s existing long-term affiliation agreement for This TV will remain in place, with clearances on Tribune stations in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas, Miami, Washington, Portland, San Diego, St. Louis, Denver, Indianapolis, Hartford, New Orleans and Grand Rapids.

“MGM has partnered with Tribune on This TV because they are the best organization to optimize the network’s growth through new content development and distribution opportunities,” said John Bryan, president, Domestic Television Distribution, MGM Television. “We look forward to a long business relationship and expanding THIS TV to audiences across the country.”

Sean Compton, president of programming for Tribune Broadcasting, said:  “MGM has built This TV into a valuable programming network, and we believe this expanded partnership will further solidify This TV as a leader in the digital network space. This TV’s solid lineup of movie offerings is a perfect complement to the television series lineup on Antenna TV, Tribune’s existing digital network.”