Meredith To Add Three Katz Diginets

Meredith Corp. will carry the three emerging Katz Broadcasting multicast networks, Grit, Escape and Laff, in five markets as part of a distribution agreement announced today.

Meredith will launch:

• Grit in Atlanta on WGCL (On ch. 46.3)

• Escape in Portland, Ore. on KPDX (49.2); in Hartford, Conn., on WFSB (3.2); in Greenville, S.C., on WHNS (21.3); and in Las Vegas on KVVU (5.2)

• Laff in Portland, Ore., on KPTV (12.3) and Hartford on WFSB (3.3)

This is the first distribution agreement between the two companies. With the Meredith distribution, Grit will be available in 78% of the U.S.; Escape in 58%; and Laff in 50%.

“Katz Broadcasting is creating unique and attractive demo-specific networks for the digital landscape in the broadcasting industry. Grit, Escape and Laff will add great value to our stations in these markets,” said Doug Lowe, EVP of Meredith local media group.

“It is our privilege to be in business with Meredith Corporation,” said Jeffrey Wolf, chief distribution officer for Katz Broadcasting. “Meredith understands very well that in this new world where consumers are continuing to combine over-the-air television with over-the-top services, offering demo-targeted networks like Grit, Escape and Laff will help their stations grow and prosper.”

Action-oriented Grit reaches men 25-54, and is built around the classic male hero archetype with a heavy focus on westerns, war and action movies. Escape targets women 25-54 with a mix of theatrical movies, and off-network series anchored in stories of crime and mystery. The comedy-driven Laff, which debuts April 15, will feature a mix of contemporary off-network sitcoms and popular movies, with a target audience of adults 18-49.