On Monday (3/2), RBR+TVBR learned that The E.W. Scripps Co. had added their digital multicast networks onto stations it has obtained through its blockbuster acquisition of ION Media.
While this immediately created a doubling up of clearance for certain networks, it is now known that it’s only temporary.
Scripps is launching two new national TV networks as the company says it continues to capitalize on its position “as a full-scale national television company.”
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Starting July 1, the networks will bow.
Their names? Doozy and Defy TV.
Once launched, Doozy and Defy TV will give Scripps Networks a portfolio of nine networks, reaching what Scripps claims is nearly every U.S. television home.
“By creating compelling new network programming to distribute through ION’s spectrum, Scripps is expanding the ways it creates value from our ownership of ION and its powerful distribution platform,” said Scripps Networks President Lisa Knutson, who was recently placed in charge of the national media arm of the company.
The two new networks will be demo-specific and reality-based. Doozy and Defy TV will each carry “some of the most-popular and top-rated unscripted shows, nearly 70 in all,” Scripps says.
What, exactly, will Doozy air?
Scripps says the diginet will serve women ages 25-54 and cravetheir ” strong interest in can’t-stop-watching, unscripted drama that’s surprising and true.”
Doozy will feature such off-network shows as “Storage Wars,” “Married at First Sight,” “Hoarders,” “Little Women: LA” and more.
Meanwhile, Defy TV will reach men ages 25-54. How? Scripps says its programming is all about “celebrating the fascinating people living life to the fullest by being who they want to be and doing what they want to do.” Shows include off-network series such as “Pawn Stars,” “Forged in Fire,” “American Pickers,” “The Curse of Oak Island” and more.
At launch, the two networks will be available in at least 75% of U.S. television homes, with more carriage agreements to be announced.
“These new networks solidify Scripps’ position as the leader in free TV, serving viewers across the country with premium programming they can access on any television set,” Knutson said. “Over-the-air television is growing rapidly, as more and more consumers ‘self-bundle’ by combining free television with subscription video-on-demand services. Doozy and Defy TV join our other networks in providing consumers even more entertaining, engaging – and free – programming. And they reinforce our ability to provide advertisers with effective and diverse reach.”
Doozy and Defy TV join ION, Bounce, Laff, Grit, Court TV, Court TV Mystery and Newsy in the Scripps Networks portfolio.
