Grit (TV network)

Grit
Type Digital broadcast television network
(Movies)
Country United States
Availability Nationwide via OTA digital television
(covering 86% of the U.S.)[1]
Founded April 3, 2014 (2014-04-03)
by Jonathan Katz
Slogan Television with Backbone
Headquarters Atlanta, Georgia
Owner Katz Broadcasting, LLC
(E. W. Scripps Company)
Parent Grit Media, LLC
Key people
 Jonathan Katz (president/CEO, Katz Broadcasting)
Bill Cox (SVP of programming, Grit)[2]
Launch date
 August 18, 2014 (2014-08-18)[3]
Picture format
Affiliates List of Grit affiliates
Official website
 www.grittv.com

Grit is an American digital multicast television network that is owned by Katz Broadcasting.[4] The network features classic TV series and feature films targeted at men between the ages of 25 and 55 years old.

The network is available in many media markets via the digital subchannels of broadcast television stations and on the digital tiers of select cable providers through a local affiliate of the network.

Originally, Katz sold the network to affiliated TV stations via ad split but by October 2015 had moved to paying carriage fees in exchange for distributing the network's ad inventory.[5]1 Grit used direct response advertising as a meter of viewers before switching to Nielsen rating C-3.[5]3 It is available on Dish Network channel 217.

History

Grit was announced by Katz Broadcasting along with a sister network Escape on April 3, 2014, with a formal launch scheduled for that summer with initial affiliates announced at this time being Univision Communications owned stations.[4] On August 11, 2014, Katz announced that the two networks would launch simultaneously on August 18. Grit launched at Noon Eastern Time on that date,[6] with the 1952 film High Noon as the network's inaugural broadcast, leading off a week-long festival of John Wayne films.[3]

Katz estimated, based on direct response advertising business by September 2015, the network had over 250,000 prime time viewer and available in 91 million homes and 81% of the country. At that time, Grit along with its sister network, Escape, were signing up for national ratings from Nielsen. Previously handling the network's direct response advertising, Marathon Ventures would continue after the change over with advertising and sponsorship sales.[7]

Programming

Grit's program schedule is a mix of action/adventure television series and westerns such as Death Valley Days, Laramie, and Zane Grey Theatre, and movies encompassingthe aforementioned genres.[8]

Katz Broadcasting president and CEO Jonathan Katz based the demographic-targeted concept of Escape and Grit after Bounce TV, a network Katz co-founded with Martin Luther King III and Andrew Young in 2011 that is targeted at African American audiences. Katz stated Grit and Escape are "the country’s first ever male-centric and female-centric broadcast networks," featuring different programming from other classic television multicast networks that Katz referred to as "generic brands with generic names, created by studios to serve the studios."[9]

Movies

Grit's program schedule features an extensive library of films through multi-year program licensing agreements with several major film studios: Warner Bros. Pictures,[10] Universal Pictures,[11] Paramount Pictures [12] and Sony Pictures Entertainment.[13]

Affiliates

As of June 2016, Grit has current or pending affiliation agreements with television stations covering approximately 78% of the United States.[14]

When the network was first announced, Grit entered into an affiliation agreement with Univision Communications, which launched the network in 24 markets served by a station owned by the group or operated through local marketing agreements with Entravision Communications – giving Grit affiliates in 12 of the 20 largest U.S. television markets (including markets such as New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Dallas-Fort Worth). The network immediately sought carriage on the digital subchannels of television stations owned by other broadcasting companies;[4] on June 17, 2014, Katz signed group deals to carry Grit on stations owned and/or operated by Raycom Media in 26 markets.[15]

On July 17, 2014, Katz announced affiliation deals with the Cox Media Group to carry Grit on WFTV in Orlando and KMYT-TV in Tulsa; as well as KJWP in the Philadelphia market, and Citadel Communications-owned stations in Providence (WLNE-TV) and Lincoln (KLKN). It also expanded its affiliation deal with Univision Communications to add stations in Washington, D.C., San Francisco, and Phoenix to the network's originally announced Univision-owned charter affiliates.[16][17]

On October 9, 2014, the Sinclair Broadcast Group announced that it would carry the network on stations it owns and/or operates in 47 markets.[18] The deal lasted for three years, and Sinclair dropped the network on their stations from February 2017 until the start of 2018 in preference for their co-owned network with MGM (and Grit's most direct competitor), Charge!.

On November 16, 2015, Katz announced an affiliation deal with Media General adding the network to five more markets.[19]

On June 15, 2016, Katz announced a more affiliation deal with Nexstar Broadcasting Group and Cordillera Communications's KATC-TV.[20]

List of affiliates

Starting July 23, 2018

City of license/market Station[21] Virtual
channel		 Owner Launch date Notes †
BirminghamWBRC6.3Raycom MediaAugust 18, 2014
HuntsvilleWAFF48.3
MontgomeryWSFA12.3
Mobile-Pensacola-
Fort Walton Beach		WJTC44.2Deerfield MediaJanuary 1, 2015
Ozark (Dothan)WDFX-TV34.3Raycom MediaAugust 18, 2014
PhoenixKASW61.3Nexstar Media GroupAugust 2016
KTVW-DT33.3Univision CommunicationsAugust 18, 2014
TucsonKOLD-TV13.3Raycom Media
FayettevilleKNWA-TV51.3Nexstar Media GroupSeptember 2016
Hanford (Fresno)KFTV-DT21.4Univision CommunicationsAugust 18, 2014
Ontario (Los Angeles)KFTR-DT46.4
Vallejo (San Francisco–
Oakland–San Jose)		KFSF-DT66.4
San Francisco-Oakland–San JoseKRON-DT4.4Nexstar Media Group
Monterey–SalinasKMMD-CD39.3Caballero TelevisionJanuary 22, 2018
San Diego (San Diego)KFMB-TV8.3TEGNA IncJuly 2016
Santa Maria (Santa Barbara)KCOY-TV12.3News-Press & Gazette CompanyMarch 30, 2018
Stockton (Sacramento)KTFK-DT64.4Univision Communications
Sterling (Denver)KCDO-TV3.2Channel 3 TV Company LLC
New HavenWCTX59.2Nexstar Media Group
Wilmington (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)WDPN-TV2.3Maranatha Broadcasting Company, Inc.August 18, 2014
Fort MyersWGPS-LP22.6WGPS of Southwest Florida, LLC
JacksonvilleWRCZ-LD35.1DTV America CorporationOctober 2, 2017
Hollywood (Miami)WAMI-DT69.4Univision CommunicationsAugust 18, 2014
OrlandoWRDQ27.4Cox Media GroupApril 15, 2015
Panama CityWPGX28.3Raycom MediaAugust 18, 2014
Tampa–St. PetersburgWFTS-TV28.3E. W. Scripps CompanyApril 15, 2015
West Palm BeachWFLX29.3Raycom Media
(operated by the E. W. Scripps Company)		August 18, 2014
AtlantaWGCL-TV46.3Meredith Corporation[14]
AugustaWFXG54.3Raycom MediaAugust 18, 2014
ColumbusWTVM9.3
SavannahWTOC-TV11.3March 18, 2015
HonoluluKHNL13.3Raycom MediaAugust 18, 2014
BoiseKNIN9.3Raycom MediaMarch 2, 2017
Idaho Falls/PocatelloKPIF15.3Pocatello Channel 15, LLCOctober 2, 2017
ChampaignWCIA3.4Nexstar Media GroupAugust 23, 2016
Joliet (Chicago)WGBO-DT66.3Univision CommunicationsAugust 18, 2014
RockfordWTVO17.4Nexstar Media GroupSeptember 1, 2016
EvansvilleWFIE14.3Raycom MediaOctober 28, 2014
Fort WayneWEDX-LD29.1DTV America CorporationLaunch date TBD
IndianapolisWRTV6.2E. W. Scripps Company
Terre HauteWAWV-TV38.2Nexstar Media GroupAugust 23, 2016
Ottumwa–Keokuk, IA–Kirksville, MOKYOU-TV15.3American Spirit Media
(operated by Raycom Media)		August 18, 2014Moved from 15.2, which joined NBC January 24, 2018
Derby (Wichita)KDCU-DT31.2Entravision CommunicationsLaunched July 2, 2018
Lawrence–Kansas City, MOKMCI-TV38.4E. W. Scripps CompanyLaunched April 15, 2015
WichitaKGPT-CD26.3Great Plains Television Network
Bowling GreenWCZU-LD39.5DTV America CorporationSeptember 23, 2016
LouisvilleWAVE3.2Raycom MediaAugust 18, 2014
Newport (Cincinnati, Ohio)WXIX-TV19.3July 2015
Baton RougeWBXH-CD39.3Raycom MediaAugust 1, 2015
LafayetteKATC-TV3.3Cordillera CommunicationsJune 28, 2016
Lake CharlesKPLC7.4Raycom MediaDecember 31, 2015Moved to KPLC-TV DT4 when the CW was added in its old DT2 slot on August 31, 2017
Monroe/El DoradoKARD14.3Nexstar Media GroupSeptember 12, 2016
New OrleansWVUE-DT8.3Louisiana Media Company
(operated by Raycom Media)		August 18, 2014
ShreveportKSLA12.2Raycom MediaDecember 31, 2015
SalisburyWGDV-LD32.6Marquee BroadcastingOctober 2016
Marlborough (Boston)WUTF-DT66.4Univision Communications
(operated by Entravision Communications)		April 1, 2017
New Bedford (Providence, Rhode Island)WLNE-TV6.2Citadel CommunicationsAugust 18, 2014
Battle Creek–Kalamazoo–Grand RapidsWOTV41.3Nexstar Media GroupJanuary 2016
Lake City–Cadillac–Traverse CityWMNN-LD26.5Freelancer Television Broadcastingearly 2016Replaced original Grit affiliate WPBN-DT3
Mount Clemens–DetroitWADL38.2Adell Broadcasting CorporationJuly 15, 2015
Mankato-St. JamesK16CG-D16.6Cooperative Television
Minneapolis-St. PaulK33LN-D33.7HC2 Holdings
Redwood FallsK46FY-D46.1Redwood TV Improvement Corporation
JacksonWDBD40.3Raycom MediaOctober 2014
Cape Girardeau–Paducah, KYKFVS-TV12.3Raycom MediaOctober 6, 2014
Columbia–Jefferson CityKQFX-LD22.3News-Press & Gazette CompanyApril 6, 2018
JoplinKODE12.2Nexstar Media GroupAugust 25, 2016
SpringfieldKOLR10.3August 20, 2016
St. JosephKNPG-LD21.5News-Press & Gazette CompanyApril 6, 2018
Billings–HardinKHMT4.3Nexstar Media GroupSeptember 2, 2016
LincolnKLKN8.2Citadel CommunicationsAugust 18, 2014
Paterson (New York City)WXTV-DT41.4Univision CommunicationsAugust 18, 2014
AlbuquerqueKWBQ19.2Tamer MediaJanuary 11, 2016
RoswellKRWB-TV21.2
BuffaloWKBW-TV7.4E. W. Scripps CompanyJune 2017
UticaWUTR20.3Mission Broadcasting
(operated by Nexstar Media Group)		September 3, 2016
CharlotteWBTV3.3Raycom MediaOctober 8, 2014
GreenvilleWPDU-LD45.1DTV America CorporationTBD
WilmingtonWSFX-TV26.3American Spirit Media
(operated by Raycom Media)		August 18, 2014
Bismarck/MinotKNDB26.3BEK Sports Network, IncAugust 2018
KNDM24.3
Fargo/Valley City/Grand ForksKRDK-TV4.6 (38)Major Market BroadcastingJanuary 2015
CincinnatiWXIX-TV19.3Raycom MediaJuly 2015
ClevelandWEWS-TV5.2E. W. Scripps CompanyApril 14, 2017Replaced Cozi TV[22]

The network was originally carried on WUAB 43.3 from August 18, 2014 until January 5, 2018 when its subchannel was deactivated. WUAB 43.3 continued to carry Grit, even after WEWS 5.2 picked up the network.

ToledoWTOL11.3Raycom MediaNovember 18, 2014
Oklahoma CityKSBI52.4Griffin CommunicationsLaunched October 1, 2018[23][24]
KTOU-LD21.8HC2 Holdings2018
TulsaKMYT-TV41.3Cox Media GroupAugust 18, 2014
ErieWFXP66.3Nexstar Media GroupAugust 28, 2016
Johnstown/Altoona/State CollegeWTAJ-TV10.4Nexstar Media GroupOctober 2017
Wilkes-Barre/ScrantonWBRE-TV28.3August 27, 2016
PittsburghWPCW19.3CBS CorporationJuly 1, 2017
CulebraW46EO-D45.1TV Red de Puerto Rico, Inc.
CharlestonWCSC-TV5.3Raycom MediaDecember 31, 2015
ColumbiaWIS10.2
GreenvilleW28DB-D28.3Carolina Christian BroadcastingJuly 30, 2018
Myrtle BeachWMBF-TV32.3Raycom MediaAugust 18, 2014
Chattanooga[[Wdef 12.4 Altennga BroadcastingJanuary 8, 2018
KnoxvilleWTNZ43.3Raycom MediaAugust 18, 2014
MemphisWMC5.3December 31, 2015
NashvilleWKRN-TV2.4Nexstar Media Group2017
AbileneKRBC-TV9.2Nexstar Media GroupAugust 25, 2016
Alvin (Houston)KFTH-DT67.3Univision CommunicationsAugust 18, 2014
AmarilloKCIT14.2Nexstar Media GroupAugust 25, 2016
AustinKNVA54.2January 29, 2016[25]
Del Rio (San Antonio)KYVV-TV28.1Stryker Media LLCJuly 1, 2018
El PasoKINT-TV26.2Entravision CommunicationsJune 2018
Irving (Dallas–Fort Worth)KSTR-DT49.3Univision CommunicationsAugust 18, 2014
LaredoKETF-CD31.4Entravision CommunicationsJuly 23, 2018
LubbockKCBD11.3Raycom MediaAugust 18, 2014
Midland-OdessaKMID2.4Nexstar Media GroupSeptember 2016
San AngeloKLST8.3August 25, 2016
San AntonioKWEX-DT41.3Univision CommunicationsAugust 18, 2014
Wichita FallsKJTL18.3Nexstar Media GroupSeptember 1, 2016
Provo (Salt Lake City)KUCW30.3Nexstar Media GroupSeptember 2, 2016
BurlingtonWVNY22.3Nexstar Media GroupAugust 23, 2016
Arlington (Washington, D.C.)WFDC-DT14.3Univision Communications
(operated by Entravision Communications		August 18, 2014
Ashland (Richmond)WUPV65.3Raycom Media
Tacoma-SeattleKSTW11.3CBS Corporation2017
Vancouver (Portland, Oregon)KPDX49.4Meredith CorporationFebruary 2017
Huntington-CharlestonWOWK-TV13.4Nexstar Media GroupOctober 2017
Green BayWACY-TV32.2E. W. Scripps CompanyAugust 11, 2015
La CrosseWLAX25.4Nexstar Media GroupAugust 30, 2016
MadisonWIFS57.8Byrne Acquisition Group, LLCApril 30, 2018
MilwaukeeWTMJ-TV4.4E. W. Scripps CompanyMarch 2018moved to WTMJ from WCGV-DT3 (24.3), which left the air January 8, 2018[26]

References

  1. ↑ Buckman, Adam (July 26, 2016). "Diginets Keep Growing, Despite Auction Cloud". TVNewsCheck. NewsCheck Media. Retrieved November 7, 2016.
  2. ↑ "Cox, Naar named Grit, Escape Programmers". TVNewsCheck. July 22, 2014. Retrieved August 11, 2014.
  3. 1 2 "Grit, Escape Diginets To Launch Aug. 18". TVNewsCheck. August 11, 2014. Retrieved August 12, 2014.
  4. 1 2 3 Lafayette, Jon (April 3, 2014). "Exclusive: Bounce TV Exec Plans Two New Channels". Broadcasting & Cable. NewBay Media, LLC. Retrieved January 28, 2015.
  5. 1 2 Jessell, Harry A. (October 13, 2015). "OTA The Bedrock of Katz's Growing Diginets". TVNewsCheck. Retrieved October 15, 2015.
  6. ↑ "New Grit and Escape Networks Set For August 18 Launch". August 11, 2014. Retrieved August 12, 2014.
  7. ↑ Lafayette, Jon (September 15, 2015). "Diginets Grit and Escape Sign Up for National Ratings". Broadcasting & Cable. NewBay Media. Retrieved October 30, 2015.
  8. ↑ Lafayette, Jon (June 3, 2015). "Grit Network Buys Rights to 'Walker'". Broadcasting & Cable. NewBay Media, LLC. Retrieved February 3, 2016.
  9. ↑ Guider, Elizabeth (June 18, 2014). "Classic TV Diginets Make The Old New Again". TVNewsCheck. Retrieved August 12, 2014.
  10. ↑ Downey, Kevin (June 10, 2014). "Grit, Escape Diginets In Warner Bros. Deal". TVNewsCheck. Retrieved August 12, 2014.
  11. ↑ "Grit & Escape Add 157 NBCU Movies To Library". TVNewsCheck. June 24, 2014. Retrieved August 12, 2014.
  12. ↑ "Paramount Movies Added to Escape, Grit Networks". Broadcasting & Cable. July 22, 2014. Retrieved August 12, 2014.
  13. ↑ "Grit, Escape Add Sony Pictures Films". TVNewsCheck. September 3, 2014.
  14. 1 2 Lafayette, Jon (March 20, 2015). "Meredith To Carry Grit, Escape, LAFF Networks". Broadcasting & Cable. NewBay Media, LLC. Retrieved March 24, 2015.
  15. ↑ "Raycom To Carry New Escape, Grit Diginets". TVNewsCheck. June 17, 2014. Retrieved August 12, 2014.
  16. ↑ "Escape, Grit Diginets Expand Market Reach". TVNewsCheck. July 17, 2014. Retrieved August 12, 2014.
  17. ↑ Kondolojy, Amanda (July 17, 2014). "Cox, Univision & Others to Launch New Networks Escape and Grit in Major Markets". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on August 12, 2014. Retrieved August 12, 2014.
  18. ↑ Lafayette, Jon (October 9, 2014). "Sinclair to Carry New Grit Multicast Network". Broadcasting & Cable. NewBay Media, LLC. Retrieved February 3, 2015.
  19. ↑ http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/katz-broadcasting-announces-major-distribution-agreements-with-media-general-and-tribune-media-300179251.html
  20. ↑ http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/95521/katz-bounce-boost-diginet-distribution
  21. ↑ "Stations for Network - Grit". RabbitEars.info. Retrieved August 12, 2014.
  22. ↑ Dawidziak, Mark (April 14, 2017). "WEWS replaces Cozi TV programming with Grit on 5.2 channel". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved July 19, 2017.
  23. ↑ "Over-The-Air Viewers Get 4 New Channels Starting Monday". KWTV-DT. Griffin Communications. October 1, 2018.
  24. ↑ "New over-the-air TV channels coming to Oklahoma". Guthrie News-Leader. Ramsey Publishing Co. September 25, 2018. Retrieved October 1, 2018.
  25. ↑ Gary Dinges (November 16, 2015). "Austin viewers get 2 new over-the-air TV networks". Austin American-Statesman.
  26. ↑ Foran, Chris (8 March 2018). "Grit TV returns to Milwaukee's airwaves — on Channel 4.4". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved 8 March 2018.

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