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On January 18, 2015, Katz Broadcasting announced the launch of its third specialty network, [[Laff (TV network)|Laff]], a comedy-focused network that was tapped for an April 15 debut with [[ABC Owned Television Stations]] and the [[E. W. Scripps Company]] serving as its core charter affiliate groups.<ref name=bc0>{{cite news|title=Exclusive: Comedy Multicast Net Launching on ABC, Scripps|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/currency/exclusive-comedy-multicast-net-launching-abc-scripps/137199|author=Jon Lafayette|periodical=Broadcasting & Cable|publisher=NewBay Media|date=January 18, 2015|accessdate=January 28, 2015}}</ref> On March 24, 2015, Katz signed a multi-network agreement with the [[Meredith Corporation]] that would add all three Katz-owned networks to Meredith-owned stations in five markets, boosting Laff's national coverage to 50%, Escape's to 58%, and Grit's to 78% of all U.S. television markets.<ref>{{cite news|title=Meredith To Carry Grit, Escape, LAFF Networks|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/programming/meredith-carry-grit-escape-laff-networks/138986|author=Jon Lafayette|periodical=Broadcasting & Cable|publisher=NewBay Media|date=March 20, 2015|accessdate=March 24, 2015}}</ref> Escape and Grit switched from direct response advertising as a meter of viewers to [[Nielsen ratings#Commercial ratings|Neilsen rating C-3]] late 2015 with Laff expected to follow suit.<ref name=tnc/><sup>:3</sup>
On January 18, 2015, Katz Broadcasting announced the launch of its third specialty network, [[Laff (TV network)|Laff]], a comedy-focused network that was tapped for an April 15 debut with [[ABC Owned Television Stations]] and the [[E. W. Scripps Company]] serving as its core charter affiliate groups.<ref name=bc0>{{cite news|title=Exclusive: Comedy Multicast Net Launching on ABC, Scripps|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/currency/exclusive-comedy-multicast-net-launching-abc-scripps/137199|author=Jon Lafayette|periodical=Broadcasting & Cable|publisher=NewBay Media|date=January 18, 2015|accessdate=January 28, 2015}}</ref> On March 24, 2015, Katz signed a multi-network agreement with the [[Meredith Corporation]] that would add all three Katz-owned networks to Meredith-owned stations in five markets, boosting Laff's national coverage to 50%, Escape's to 58%, and Grit's to 78% of all U.S. television markets.<ref>{{cite news|title=Meredith To Carry Grit, Escape, LAFF Networks|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/programming/meredith-carry-grit-escape-laff-networks/138986|author=Jon Lafayette|periodical=Broadcasting & Cable|publisher=NewBay Media|date=March 20, 2015|accessdate=March 24, 2015}}</ref> Escape and Grit switched from direct response advertising as a meter of viewers to [[Nielsen ratings#Commercial ratings|Neilsen rating C-3]] late 2015 with Laff expected to follow suit.<ref name=tnc/><sup>:3</sup>


On June 15, 2016, Katz Broadcasting signed a multi-network agreement with [[Nexstar Media Group|Nexstar Broadcasting Group]] and operated affiliated TV station companies that would bring all three Katz-owned networks (as well as Bounce TV) to stations owned and/or operated by Nexstar in 54 markets, jumping national coverage of both Escape and Laff to 85% and Grit's coverage to 93%.<ref>{{cite news|title=Bounce TV, Grit, Escape, Laff Multicast Deal Covers 81 Stations, 54 Markets|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/currency/bounce-tv-grit-escape-laff-multicast-deal-covers-81-stations-54-markets/157330|author=Jon Lafayette|periodical=Broadcasting & Cable|publisher=NewBay Media|date=June 15, 2016|accessdate=June 20, 2016}}</ref>
On June 15, 2016, Katz Broadcasting signed a multi-network agreement with [[Nexstar Media Group|Nexstar Broadcasting Group]] and operated affiliated TV station companies that would bring all three Katz-owned networks (as well as Bounce TV) to stations owned and/or operated by Nexstar in 54 markets, jumping national coverage of both Escape and Laff to 85% and Grit's coverage to 93%.<ref>{{cite news|title=Bounce TV, Grit, Escape, Laff Multicast Deal Covers 81 Stations, 54 Markets|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/currency/bounce-tv-grit-escape-laff-multicast-deal-covers-81-stations-54-markets/157330|author=Jon Lafayette|periodical=Broadcasting & Cable|publisher=NewBay Media|date=June 15, 2016|accessdate=June 20, 2016}}</ref>


On August 1, 2017, E.W. Scripps announced the purchase of Katz and its three networks plus [[Bounce TV|Bounce]] which Katz operates, for $292 million, acquiring the other 95% of the company.<ref name=bc1>{{cite news|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/local-tv/ew-scripps-buys-katz-networks-302m-deal/167592|title=E.W. Scripps Buys Katz Networks in $302M Deal |last=Marszalek|first=Diana|date=August 1, 2017|work=[[Broadcasting & Cable]]|accessdate=August 2, 2017}}</ref>
On August 1, 2017, E.W. Scripps announced the purchase of Katz and its three networks plus [[Bounce TV|Bounce]] which Katz operates, for $292 million, acquiring the other 95% of the company.<ref name=bc1>{{cite news|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/local-tv/ew-scripps-buys-katz-networks-302m-deal/167592|title=E.W. Scripps Buys Katz Networks in $302M Deal |last=Marszalek|first=Diana|date=August 1, 2017|work=[[Broadcasting & Cable]]|accessdate=August 2, 2017}}</ref>

Revision as of 02:37, 3 August 2017

Katz Broadcasting, LLC
Company typePrivate limited liability company
IndustryMedia
FoundedFebruary 3, 2014 (2014-02-03)
FounderJonathan Katz[1]
Headquarters,
Key people
Jonathan Katz (president/CEO)[2]
Jeffrey Wolf (chief distribution officer)[1]
ProductsTelevision networks
Owners
ParentE. W. Scripps Company (pending purchase)[1]
Subsidiaries
Websitekatzbroadcasting.com

Katz Broadcasting, LLC, is an American media company specializing in digital multicasting, owning (as of 2016) three television networks that each carry programming with specified formats targeted at individual demographics. Katz and Bounce Media share staff from the former company's launch, including Jonathan Katz (who serves as president and chief executive officer of Katz, while continuing to serve as chief operating officer) and Jeffrey Wolf (Katz's chief distribution officer and Bounce's executive vice president of network distribution).[1][2]

Originally, Katz sold the network to affiliated TV stations via ad split, but by October 2015, had moved to carriage fees in exchange for the network getting the ad inventory due to greater inventory with stations adding a third or fourth subchannel.[3]:1 Their networks used direct response advertising as a meter of viewers before switching to Neilsen rating C-3.[3]:3

History

Katz Broadcasting, LLC was founded on February 3, 2014[4] by Jonathan Katz, who serves as chief operating officer of Bounce TV and formerly served as an executive at the Turner Broadcasting System. The company was announced concurrently with the announced launches of its first two networks, Escape and Grit, which were both launched that April with Univision and UniMás owned-and-operated stations run by Univision Communications serving as its charter station group; both of Katz's initial networks are targeted at individual genders (with Grit aimed at men and Escape aimed at women).[1] Besides Jonathan Katz, some of the initial investors included some Bounce investors notably |Raycom Media and Al Haymon.[3] At some point, E. W. Scripps Company also becomes a owner purchasing 5% of the company.[5] Katz and Bounce continued to share executive staff with the hiring announcement of Jim Weiss (a former executive at sports marketing agency CSE) as the former's senior vice president of corporate communications in August.[2]

On January 18, 2015, Katz Broadcasting announced the launch of its third specialty network, Laff, a comedy-focused network that was tapped for an April 15 debut with ABC Owned Television Stations and the E. W. Scripps Company serving as its core charter affiliate groups.[6] On March 24, 2015, Katz signed a multi-network agreement with the Meredith Corporation that would add all three Katz-owned networks to Meredith-owned stations in five markets, boosting Laff's national coverage to 50%, Escape's to 58%, and Grit's to 78% of all U.S. television markets.[7] Escape and Grit switched from direct response advertising as a meter of viewers to Neilsen rating C-3 late 2015 with Laff expected to follow suit.[3]:3

On June 15, 2016, Katz Broadcasting signed a multi-network agreement with Nexstar Broadcasting Group and operated affiliated TV station companies that would bring all three Katz-owned networks (as well as Bounce TV) to stations owned and/or operated by Nexstar in 54 markets, jumping national coverage of both Escape and Laff to 85% and Grit's coverage to 93%. Katz will remain based out of Marietta, Georgia as an autonomous division of Scripps.[8]

On August 1, 2017, E.W. Scripps announced the purchase of Katz and its three networks plus Bounce which Katz operates, for $292 million, acquiring the other 95% of the company.[5]

Major assets

Television networks

  • Escape (Escape Media, LLC) A digital broadcast network which specializes in programming for women, featuring series and films focusing on mystery and true crime stories.
  • Grit (Grit Media, LLC) A digital broadcast network which specializes in programming for men, featuring mainly action, western, and crime drama films.
  • Laff (Laff Media, LLC) A digital broadcast network specializing in comedic series and feature films.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Jon Lafayette (April 3, 2014). "Exclusive: Bounce TV Exec Plans Two New Channels". Broadcasting & Cable. NewBay Media. Retrieved January 28, 2015.
  2. ^ a b c Kaitlyn Durocher (August 7, 2014). "Longtime PR Executive Joins Katz Broadcasting, Bounce Network". The Hollywood Reporter. Guggenheim Digital Media. Retrieved January 28, 2015.
  3. ^ a b c d e Jessell, Harry A. (October 13, 2015). "OTA The Bedrock of Katz's Growing Diginets". TVNewsCheck. Retrieved October 15, 2015.
  4. ^ "Katz Broadcasting, LLC Control Number: 14012024". state.ga.us. Georgia Secretary of State. Retrieved January 28, 2015.
  5. ^ a b Marszalek, Diana (August 1, 2017). "E.W. Scripps Buys Katz Networks in $302M Deal". Broadcasting & Cable. Retrieved August 2, 2017.
  6. ^ Jon Lafayette (January 18, 2015). "Exclusive: Comedy Multicast Net Launching on ABC, Scripps". Broadcasting & Cable. NewBay Media. Retrieved January 28, 2015.
  7. ^ Jon Lafayette (March 20, 2015). "Meredith To Carry Grit, Escape, LAFF Networks". Broadcasting & Cable. NewBay Media. Retrieved March 24, 2015.
  8. ^ Jon Lafayette (June 15, 2016). "Bounce TV, Grit, Escape, Laff Multicast Deal Covers 81 Stations, 54 Markets". Broadcasting & Cable. NewBay Media. Retrieved June 20, 2016.