 | |
| Type | Digital multicast television network |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Broadcast area | (64% U.S coverage) |
| Headquarters | Atlanta, Georgia |
| Programming | |
| Language(s) | English |
| Picture format | |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | E. W. Scripps Company (2021–24) Free TV Networks (2024–present) |
| Parent | Scripps Networks (2021–24) Free TV Networks /A&E Networks (2024–present) |
| History | |
| Launched | July 1, 2021; 3 years ago (2021-07-01) |
| Replaced by | Ion Plus (Scripps version) |
| Former names | Defy TV (2021–24) |
| Links | |
| Website | defynetworktv |
Defy (also known by its original nameDefy TV) is an Americandigital multicast television network owned byFree TV Networks in partnership withA&E Networks, airing primarilyreality shows from the latter company, having launched on July 1, 2021, with broadcast coverage of 64% of theUnited States.
On March 2, 2021, Scripps announced that it would launch two new multicast networks—Defy andTrueReal—in the wake of its acquisition ofIon Media and television transmitters shuttingQubo andIon Plus down across the United States.[1] The channels are part of Scripps's strategy to increase perception amongcord cutters that do not have traditional pay TV packages.[2]
The services launched on July 1, 2021 with 92% national coverage, mostly on Ion transmitters but also on subchannels of some Scripps local TV stations and by agreement with other station groups.[3]
On March 10, 2023, Scripps announced thatTrueReal would shut down on March 27, 2023, merging its programming into Defy TV.[4]
On June 17, 2024, Scripps quietly announced on Defy's social media platforms that a refreshed version ofIon Plus would return on Defy TV's channel space on July 1, 2024.[5] The A&E programming library would move to a new over-the-air digital network, Dare, owned by theFree TV Networks joint venture.[6]
Shortly before the network's launch on July 1, 2024, Free TV Networks acquired the rights to the Defy branding from Scripps Networks and launched a new version of the network at 6:00 a.m. ET the same day, nixing its plan to launch under the originally announced Dare name. The "TV" portion of the original Defy name was removed prior to its immediate relaunch.[7]
The network's schedule is mainly made up of repeats of unscripted shows from the library ofA&E Networks (mainlyA&E andHistory channels), including reality programs:Swamp People,American Pickers,Ax Men,Counting Cars,UFO Hunters,Forged in Fire andPawn Stars.[8]
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