 | |
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Media |
| Founded | November 7, 2023 (2023-11-07) |
| Founder | Jonathan Katz |
| Headquarters | Atlanta, Georgia ,United States |
Key people | Jonathan Katz (President/CEO) |
| Products | Television networks |
| Brands |
|
| Website | freetvnetworks |
Free TV Networks, LLC is an American specializeddigital multicasting andadvertising-supported video on demand networkmedia company. The company owns and operates fourbroadcast television networks. The company was founded and is led by broadcasting veteran Jonathan Katz, who previously launched what is now theScripps Networks division of competitorE. W. Scripps Company.
The venture launched with twodigital multicast television networks, The365 and Outlaw, on January 1, 2024, withGray Television making up the bulk of the network's affiliate base, though at an early cost of affiliating with low-power stations without cable coverage in markets with no Gray stations. The365 (since renamed 365BLK) targets anAfrican American audience. Outlaw airsWestern films and series.[1] Programming on 365BLK and Outlaw is similar to that ofBounce TV andGrit, respectively; the latter two broadcast networks were founded by Katz as part of Katz Broadcasting, which was later acquired by theE. W. Scripps Company, and becameScripps Networks.[2]
On July 1, 2021, Scripps' networkDefy TV debuted, primarily airingreality shows from the library ofA&E Networks. On July 1, 2024, Scripps' ownership of Defy TV ended as the network was relaunched (renamed simply as Defy) as a joint venture of Free TV Networks and A&E Networks,[3][4] though Scripps would re-add Defy to several Ion stations on July 1, 2025 under a new affiliation agreement.[5]
Free TV Networks launched a fourth network, Busted, on March 1, 2025. Its programming consists of reality series observing law enforcement.[6]
