| Free TV Networks | |
| Type | Joint venture |
| Industry | Media |
| Predecessor | Circle (broadcast operations)[1] |
| Founded | November 7, 2023 |
| Founder | Jonathan 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) |
| Products | Television networks |
| Owner | |
| Website | freetvnetworks |
| 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 plans to launch two broadcast television networks and four FAST streaming networks that each carry programming with specified formats targeted at individual demographics. The company was founded and will be led by broadcasting veteran Jonathan Katz, who previously launched what is now the Scripps Networks division of competitor E. W. Scripps Company.
The venture plans to launch with two efforts, each resembling networks Katz originally launched; The365, a channel for Black audiences (compare to Bounce TV) and Outlaw, a network for Western programming (compare to Grit). Other channels to launch on AVOD platforms on that date include VCR Action, a channel for older action films, and VCR Haha, a network for older comedic programming (compare to Laff), under the joint venture on January 1, 2024.[2]
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.
- 1 2 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.
