The new Katz Broadcasting plans to launch Escape, aimed at women, and Grit, which will target men. Both will debut on the Univision Television Group, covering 30% of the U.S.
Two New Diginets To Launch This Summer
Two new demo-specific broadcast networks created by the architect and COO of Bounce TV will launch this summer.
Escape will target women 25-54 with programming that it’s calling “daring, sexy and anchored in stories of crime and mystery.” The network’s mix of theatrical motion pictures and off-net series will emphasize heroines and heroes that slip away from pursuit or peril, while providing viewers themselves the opportunity to escape from their daily lives.
With a heavy focus on western and war genres, action-oriented Grit will be a new television brand built around the classic male hero archetype. Featuring stars like John Wayne, Clint Eastwood and Chuck Norris, the network will reach men 25-54 with theatricals and off-network series.
The two new networks will be part of Katz Broadcasting, a new company established by Bounce TV founder-COO and former Turner Broadcasting executive Jonathan Katz. Katz Broadcasting will own and operate the two new networks. Katz will serve as president -CEO while continuing as COO of Bounce TV.
“Free broadcast television is experiencing a renaissance in this new age of media disruption, as more and more consumers combine over-the-air with over-the-top services,” Katz says. “Distributing Escape and Grit alongside successful demo-specific networks like Bounce TV makes the burgeoning new broadcast ecosystem closely resemble the early days of basic cable, providing viewers diverse new choices.”
Univision Television Group, which owns and/or operates television stations in major U.S. markets, will launch both Escape and Grit as a multicast channel on stations representing more than 30% of U.S. television households. Initial markets include New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, Houston and Miami.
BRAND CONNECTIONS
Katz has tapped Bounce TV EVP of network distribution, Jeffrey Wolf, former EVP of U.S. syndication sales for Sony Pictures Television, to serve as chief distribution officer. “We are being very strategic and selective when determining our partners for these new networks,” Wolf says. “Bounce TV has enjoyed an extremely successful relationship with Univision and we couldn’t be more thrilled to call Univision the launch group for both new networks. We look forward to another mutually-beneficial partnership for many years to come.”
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