It’s the creation of Jonathan Katz, who founded the former Katz Broadcasting some 15 years ago and sold it to Scripps Networks in December 2020. Free TV Networks serves consumers with over-the-air digital broadcast networks and free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) channels.
Now, two of those “diginets” have widened their respective distribution thanks to a pair of agreements with two of the biggest broadcast TV ownership groups in the U.S.
Digital broadcast networks 365BLK and OUTLAW are now available via digital multicast channels associated with TV stations owned by The E.W. Scripps Co. and Gray Media, respectively.
“Expanding Free TV Networks’ distribution is crucial in continuing our mission to provide the widest possible audience with access to premium programming at no cost,” said Joe Cantrell, Chief Distribution and Development Officer of Free TV Networks. “Our new distribution with Scripps and Gray Media allows us to reach deeply into communities across the country and serve viewers who are increasingly looking for free entertaining and engaging alternatives to paying for TV.”
The 18-month old 365BLK, Free TV Networks’ flagship brand, serves African American viewers with second-run series and feature films.
Gray-owned stations are adding 365BLK as a multicast offering. They are:
- KALB-5.7 in Alexandria, La.
- KEYU-31.8 in Amarillo, Tex.
- WLOX-13.7 in Biloxi-Gulfport, Miss.
- KFVS-12.7 in Cape Girardeau, Mo.-Paducah, Ky.
- WBXC-18.5 in Champaign-Decatur-Springfield, Ill.
- WFIE-14.5 in Evansville, Ind.
- WAFF-48.7 in Huntsville, Ala.
- KAIT-8.4 in Jonesboro, Ark.
- KPLC-7.7 in Lake Charles, La.
- WTOK-11.7 in Meridian, Miss.
- WSFA-12.5 in Montgomery, Ala.
- KOLO-8.7 in Reno-Sparks, Nev.
- WNDU-16.2 in South Bend, Ind.
Gray and Scripps-owned stations are agreeing to add the DEFY network, created in partnership with A+E Networks as a home for such unscripted TV series as American Pickers, Storage Wars, Pawn Stars, Alone, Swamp People, Counting Cars and Ax Men.
Scripps-owned stations adding DEFY are:
- WPXA-14.5 in Atlanta
- KZCS-18.3 in Colorado Springs
- KPXD-68.4 in Dallas
- KPXC-59.6 in Denver
- WPXD-31.4 in Detroit
- KPXB-49.8 in Houston
- WPXE-55.4 in Milwaukee
- WPPX-61.4 in Philadelphia
- KWPX-33.4 in Seattle
- KWBA-58.5 in Tucson
Two stations licensed to Inyo Broadcasting that are operated by Scripps via shared services agreements are also adding DENY: WPXJ-51.3 in Buffalo and WPXP-67.3 in West Palm Beach.
Gray stations adding DEFY are:
- WBQC-25.7 in Cincinnati
- WOIO-19.3 in Cleveland
- KSWO-7.4 in Wichita Falls, Tex.-Lawton, Okla.
- KPTV-12.3 in Portland, Ore.
- WVUE-8.6 in New Orleans
