With the resurgence of free TV, a leader in the digital broadcast space is launching a new venture with help from major players in the industry. Jonathan Katz, the founder of Katz Broadcasting (known for networks like Bounce TV, Court TV, and Laff), is launching Free TV Networks with two diginets set to debut on January 1. The new channels will be available over the air and through free, ad-supported streaming, in partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery and Lionsgate, both of which will provide content for the channels, as well as Gray Television.
The two channels set to launch on New Year’s Day are The365, targeting Black viewers, and Outlaw, featuring classic westerns. Both channels will be accessible in about 80 percent of the United States. Streaming versions of the two channels will be released later next year, along with additional channels titled VCR Action and VCR Haha, showcasing movies from the “VHS era” of the 1980s and ’90s.
“Never underestimate the power of ‘free,’” Katz said in a statement. “Audiences and advertisers have driven the thriving ad market for digital broadcast networks to well over $1 billion, with FAST channel revenues now more than $5 billion. The Free TV Networks team has a successful and profitable track record scaling well-defined brands designed to serve the ever-growing number of value-conscious consumers combining free over-the-air and FAST channels with their favorite streaming services.”
Free TV Networks boasts a board of founders and members that include human rights activist and philanthropist Martin Luther King III and music manager Alan Haymon. Jonathan Katz will serve as the president and CEO, with Maria Harvey joining the company as CFO, and Phil Oppenheim as the chief content officer.
“We have a long and successful strategy licensing our world-class content to every platform — from networks and syndication to digital and streaming,” said David Decker, president content sales at Warner Bros. Discovery. “Free TV Networks fits this perfectly, and we’re happy to offer our hit films and television shows to their audiences.”
“These digital broadcast and FAST channels bring together two content leaders, one of the nation’s largest broadcast companies, and a respected industry pioneer in support of a strong lineup of African American and Western programming,” said Jim Packer, president worldwide television distribution for Lionsgate. “This is a great opportunity to serve two large and scalable demos with world-class IP in a well-defined market segment.”
Gray Television president and co-CEO Pat LaPlatney added, “Serving diverse communities is a key piece of our strategy at Gray and has served us well for decades. Our partnership with Free TV Networks is another illustration of our strong commitment to the continued growth of broadcast television within today’s media ecosystem and the importance of delivering high-value entertainment without high costs to our viewers.”
Jonathan Katz, the founder of Katz Broadcasting, was the president of Chicken Soup for the Soul Entertainment before launching Free TV Networks. His experience includes heading program planning and acquisitions for Turner Entertainment.
With the launch of Free TV Networks, the company aims to tap into the thriving ad market for digital broadcast networks and offer valuable content to a growing number of value-conscious consumers who are seeking a combination of free over-the-air and FAST channels with their favorite streaming services. The partnership with major content providers like Warner Bros. Discovery and Lionsgate, along with the support of Gray Television, positions Free TV Networks as a promising player in the free TV and ad-supported streaming space.