Escape, Grit Diginets Expand Market Reach

Katz Broadcasting’s new multicast networks Escape (targeted to women) and Grit (for men) today announced the addition of more markets as they continue to ramp up for launch later this summer:

• Univision Television Group will launch both networks as multicast channels in Washington, San Francisco and Phoenix.

• Cox Media Group will carry Grit in Orlando, Fla.; Escape in Charlotte, N.C., and both networks in Tulsa, Okla.

• Independent KJWP Philadelphia will carry Escape and Grit.

• Citadel Communications will launch both networks on its stations in Providence, R.I., and Lincoln, Neb.

The newly-announced distribution drives both Escape and Grit past 50% of the country currently.

Univision Television Group previously announced carriage of the two networks on stations in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, Houston and Miami. Raycom Media will carry one or both of the networks on its stations in markets including Cleveland-Akron, Ohio;  Charlotte, N.C.; Cincinnati; West Palm Beach, Fla.; Birmingham, Ala.; Memphis;  Louisville, Ky.;  Knoxville, Tenn.;  Honolulu;, Tucson, Ariz.; Columbia, S.C.; and Huntsville, Ala.

“The interest in both Escape and Grit is strong and growing and we can firmly say that networks will be available to half the country when they launch – at the least,” Jeffrey Wolf, chief distribution officer for Escape and Grit. “There is a new broadcast television landscape emerging and it resembles the origins of basic cable 35-40 years ago.  Distributing demo-specific networks Escape and Grit alongside the successful Bounce TV can help station groups and owners grow and prosper in this new world as consumers combine over-the-air television with over-the-top services.”

Escape will target women 25-54 with a mix of theatrical motion pictures and off-network series anchored in stories of crime and mystery.  Action-oriented Grit will reach men 25-54 and be built around the classic male hero archetype with a heavy focus on western, war and action theatrical motion pictures.

Escape and Grit are owned and operated by Katz Broadcasting, a new company established by Bounce TV founder-COO and former Turner Broadcasting executive Jonathan Katz. Katz is president-CEO of the two new networks while continuing as COO of African-American targeted Bounce TV.