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E.W. Scripps Company to Launch Grit and Escape, Expand LAFF Distribution

May 18, 2015  •  Post A Comment

Press release from Katz Broadcasting and E.W. Scripps Co., May 18, 2015:

The E.W. Scripps Company will carry the three emerging Katz Broadcasting television networks – launching Escape and Grit in multiple markets while expanding distribution of LAFF – as part of a major new affiliation agreement announced today.

In the multi-year agreement, Scripps will launch:

  • Escape on its stations in: Detroit (WMYD-TV), Indianapolis (WRTV-TV), Kansas City (KMCI-TV), Milwaukee (WTMJ-TV), Cincinnati (WCPO-TV), Buffalo (WKBW-TV), Fort Myers (WFTX-TV), Green Bay (WACY-TV), Omaha (KMTV-TV), Boise (KIVI-TV) and Twin Falls (KSAW-TV).
  • LAFF in Nashville (WTVF-TV), Milwaukee (WTMJ-TV), Las Vegas (KTNV-TV), Fort Myers (WFTX-TV), Green Bay (WGBA-TV), Tucson (KGUN-TV), Omaha (KMTV-TV), Boise, (KIVI-TV) and Twin Falls (KSAW-TV).
  • Grit in Tampa (WFTS-TV), Kansas City (KSHB-TV), Las Vegas (KTNV-TV) and Green Bay (WACY-TV).

With the Scripps distribution in place, Grit will be available in 93 million homes and 80 percent of the country, Escape in 70 million homes/60 percent and LAFF will be in 64 million households/55 percent of the U.S.

Scripps already carries LAFF on its stations in Detroit (WXYZ-TV), Phoenix (KNXV-TV), Tampa (WFTS-TV), Denver (KMGH-TV), Cleveland (WEWS-TV), Indianapolis (WRTV-TV), Baltimore (WMAR-TV), San Diego (KGTV-TV), Kansas City (KSHB-TV), Cincinnati (WCPO-TV), West Palm Beach (WPTV-TV), Buffalo (WKBW-TV) and Tulsa (KJRH-TV).

Action-oriented Grit reaches men ages 25-54, and is built around the classic male hero archetype with a heavy focus on westerns, war and action movies. Escape targets women ages 25-54 with a mix of theatrical movies, and off-network series anchored in stories of crime and mystery. Grit and Escape just launched eight months ago. LAFF, which just debuted on April 15, features a mix of contemporary off-network sitcoms and popular movies, with a target audience of adults ages 18-49.

“Grit, Escape and LAFF are unique and attractive demo-specific networks that will add great value to our stations in these markets, as we’ve seen with our current LAFF distribution,” commented Brian Lawlor, senior vice president for the Scripps broadcast division. “With the acquisition of the Journal stations now complete, we wanted to expand that distribution even further.”

“Scripps is a great distribution partner that understands very well that demo-targeted networks like LAFF, Grit and Escape will help their stations grow and prosper,” said Jeffrey Wolf, Chief Distribution Officer for Katz Broadcasting. “We are thrilled to expand our relationship with them.”

THE POYNTER INSTITUTE THE E. W. SCRIPPS COMPANY

One Comment

  1. Hey I have a pin for James e scripps 50 years of public service 1873 1923 if it was stolen from you I would like to return it and if it’s worth anything I would like a reward

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