American digital multicasting and FAST network media company
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
Notes
References
^ 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 .
^ 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 .
^ "Defy Hits The Air" . Free TV Networks (Press release). July 1, 2024. Retrieved July 1, 2024 .
External links
Major Public Specialty
Domestic news, business and weather International news Sports Minority
Reality and lifestyle Music Legal & true crime Classic Films Comedy Westerns Drama & action Niche & genre Religious Home shopping
Major commercial Minor commercial Public Specialty
News Sports Home shopping Music
c - Now cable-only, i - Now internet-only, d - Dual feeds for channel in California, and nationwide
Major domestic Minor domestic Major imported Religious Specialty Defunct
TBN Networks English
Spanish French Defunct
Additional resources on North American television
North America Canada Mexico United States
Links to related articles
Executives
Board of directors Senior management
Warner Bros. Entertainment
Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group Warner Bros. Television Group
United States International
Other units
U.S. linear networks
Factual and Lifestyle Group Entertainment Group Kids & Family Group (The Cartoon Network, Inc. ) FAST channels
Free TV Networks JV
The365
Outlaw
Dare (50%)
VCR Action
VCR Haha
WBTV
Watchlist
Keeping It Real
All Together
Sweet Escapes
Paws & Claws
Slice of Life
Welcome Home
At the Movies
How To
Supernatural
Crime Series
Mysteries
Love & Marriage
Family Rules
Cartoon Rewind
Home Box Office CNN Worldwide TNT Sports Global Streaming & Interactive Entertainment Global Brands and Experiences
International Networks
CanadaJV Latin America, the Caribbean and Brazil
Pan-Asia East Asia South Asia Southeast Asia Australasia
Online Defunct
France, Belgium & Switzerland Germany , Benelux & CEEItaly Scandinavia Iberia UK & Ireland Turkey Middle East & Africa Defunct
TV channels
FAST channels Online services
Other assets
Former units
from WB from Turner from HBO from Discovery & Scripps
See also
Broadcasting and FAST streaming group The Cartoon Network, Inc. Entertainment Group Lifestyle & Factual Group
Defunct and former ventures
TimeWarner/WarnerMedia Discovery, Inc.
Lionsgate Studios
Motion pictures Television production and distribution Themeparks
Media assets
Former or defunct assets and predecessors Key personnel
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