Katz Broadcasting To Launch Laff Diginet
The comedy-driven broadcast television network will debut on April 15 on
ABC Owned Television Stations in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago,
Philadelphia, San Francisco, Houston, Raleigh, N.C., and Fresno, Calif.,
as well as Scripps stations in 13 markets. The ABC O&Os will also
continue to air the Live Well Network.
By Staff, TVNewsCheck
January 18, 2015 2:31 PM EST
http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/82299/katz-broadcasting-to-launch-laff-diginet
Katz Broadcasting is launching what it calls “the country’s first-ever,
over-the-air broadcast television network devoted to comedy
around-the-clock” with the premiere of Laff on April 15.
Laff will feature a mix of contemporary off-network sitcoms and popular
theatrical motion pictures, with a target audience of adults 18-49. The
Laff brand will cross multiple platforms, with the linear network
carried by television stations and corresponding cable carriage while
companion digital content will be available at Laff.com and via the Laff
app.
Katz Broadcasting also announced two major distribution agreements for Laff:
The ABC Owned Television Stations will carry Laff in New York (WABC),
Los Angeles (KABC), Chicago (WLS), Philadelphia (WPVI), San Francisco
(KGO), Houston (KTRK), Raleigh, N.C. (WTVD) and Fresno, Calif. (KFSN).
The E.W. Scripps Co. will also launch Laff on its stations in Detroit
(WXYZ), Phoenix (KNXV), Tampa (WFTS), Denver (KMGH), Cleveland (WEWS),
Indianapolis (WRTV), Baltimore (WMAR), San Diego (KGTV), Kansas City
(KSHB), Cincinnati (WCPO), West Palm Beach (WPTV), Buffalo (WKBW) and
Tulsa, Okla. (KJRH).
These initial agreements will make Laff available to more than 35% of
the country, with more distribution additions expected to be announced
shortly.
The ABC O&Os will continue to air Live Well Network, its homegrown
lifestyle network, in addition to Laff.
"LAFF will be an excellent addition to our subchannel lineup," said
Rebecca Campbell, president of the ABC Owned Television Station Group.
"We are also committed to keeping Live Well Network up and running in
our own markets, so that we can continue to provide unique local
programming and pursue corporate synergy opportunities."
Laff joins Grit, a multicast network targeting men, and Escape, designed
for women, in the Katz Broadcasting portfolio. Katz Broadcasting was
established in 2014 by Bounce TV founder/COO and former Turner
Broadcasting executive Jonathan Katz.
“In launching three television networks within ten months, we are
clearly very bullish on the renaissance of free broadcast television,”
commented Katz. “This burgeoning new broadcast ecosystem resembles the
early days of basic cable, expanding to offer viewers diverse new
choices and complementing the growing number of over-the-top
subscription services.”
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