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NATPE News: Fox Owned Stations Sign Up for New Digital Game Show Channel from FreemantleMedia, Distributed by Debmar-Mercury

Jan 20, 2015  •  Post A Comment

BUZZR TV, a new digital game show network, will debut in the markets of all 17 Fox owned-and-operated TV stations.

BUZZR TV is from FreemantleMedia North America, which owns more than 40,000 hours of game shows, including such well-known titles as “Family Feud,” “The Price is Right,” “Password” and “Let’s Make a Deal.”

The channel is being distributed by Debmar-Mercury.

In a statement attributed to Debmar-Mercury co-presidents Ira Bernstein and Mort Marcus, they said, “There is nothing else like BUZZR TV. It will be the only game show network operating in the digital multicast universe, providing stations with a highly marketable asset. We believe the depth of the FremantleMedia library will allow the network to secure its future, offering viewers a proven, quality and unique alternative to other digital channels.”

Thom Beers, CEO of FremantleMedia North America, said in a statement, “FremantleMedia has consistently been the leader in the game show space, with long-running and more-popular-than-ever titles such as ‘Family Feud’ and ‘The Price is Right.’ When I joined the company two years ago, it became instantly clear that there was a huge opportunity for us to not only be a producer in the space, but also a programmer. We are thrilled to have Fox, one of the nation’s largest owned-and-operated network broadcast groups, as our launch partner on BUZZR TV. Jack Abernethy and Frank Cicha’s enthusiasm for both the channel and our product was clear from the get-go, and we look forward to bringing this beloved genre to viewers across the country.”

Cicha, who is the senior vice president of programming for the Fox Television Stations, said in a statement, “BUZZR will be a great addition to our D2 portfolio. The possibilities to have fun creatively, and to make it fun for the viewer, are endless.  And in a D2 landscape this competitive, the ability to control your own product is a big plus.  FremantleMedia can certainly do that.”

Currently BUZZR is also a channel on YouTube.

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