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Free TV Networks
Company typeJoint venture
IndustryMedia
PredecessorCircle (broadcast operations)[1]
FoundedNovember 7, 2023 (2023-11-07)
FounderJonathan Katz
Headquarters
Atlanta, Georgia
,
United States
Key people
Jonathan Katz (President/CEO)
David Decker (President, Content Sales, Warner Bros. Discovery)
Jim Packer (President of Worldwide Television Distribution, Lionsgate)
Pat LaPlatney (President/Co-CEO, Gray Television)
ProductsTelevision networks
Brands
Owners
Websitefreetvnetworks.com
Footnotes / references
[2]

Free TV Networks is an American specialized digital multicasting and advertising-supported video on demand network media company owned as a joint venture between Warner Bros. Discovery, Lionsgate and Gray Television. The company owns and operates two broadcast television networks and plans to launch four FAST streaming networks that each carry programming with specified formats targeted at individual demographics. The company was founded and is led by broadcasting veteran Jonathan Katz, who previously launched what is now the Scripps Networks division of competitor E. W. Scripps Company.

Structure

The venture launched with two digital multicast television networks on January 1, 2024, each resembling networks Katz originally launched, which are The365, a channel for Black audiences (similar to Bounce TV) and Outlaw, a network for Western programming (similar to Grit). The venture launched its third broadcast network, Defy, on July 1, 2024 in partnership with A&E Networks, which features action and male-targeted reality programming from A&E Network's library; Scripps's Defy TV (which previously carried said library) ended operations the day before with the move of that programming library to Defy and was replaced by Ion Plus.[3] Other channels to launch at a later time on AVOD platforms include FAST streaming versions of the former two networks as well as VCR Action (similar to Ion Mystery), a channel for older action/crime programming, and VCR Haha, a network for older comedic programming (similar to Laff).[2]

Programming

The365

Outlaw

Defy

Main articles: List of programs broadcast by A&E and List of programs broadcast by the History Channel

Notes

  1. ^ Through its Warner Bros. Discovery Networks division.

References

  1. ^ Bouma, Luke (November 10, 2023). "The OTA TV Network Circle Is Shutting Down & Will Be Replaced By Warner Bros. Discovery's New Network". Cord Cutter News. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
  2. ^ a b Hayes, Dade (November 7, 2023). "Warner Bros. Discovery, Lionsgate And Gray Television Team With Free TV Networks, A New Programmer With A Presence On Broadcast TV And Streaming". Deadline. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
  3. ^ "Defy Hits The Air". Free TV Networks (Press release). July 1, 2024. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
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