Sinclair Broadcast Group To Launch Grit In 47 Markets

ATLANTA, Oct. 9, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:  SBGI), one of the largest and most diversified television broadcasting companies in the country today, will carry Grit - the first-ever male-centric over-the-air broadcast television network - in 47 markets as part of a major new distribution agreement with Katz Broadcasting announced today by Jeffrey Wolf, Chief Distribution Officer for Grit.

Among some of the markets where Sinclair stations will launch Grit include Seattle, Minneapolis, St. Louis, Portland (OR), Pittsburgh, Raleigh, Baltimore, Nashville, Columbus (OH), Milwaukee, Oklahoma City, Norfolk, Asheville and Buffalo. The Sinclair carriage will drive the current coverage of Grit to 73% of all television households in the United States.

Action-oriented Grit targets men 25-54 with a heavy focus on western, war and action theatrical motion pictures.  Grit - and its sister network Escape which targets women and is currently seen in 50% of the U.S. - launched August 18.

This is the third major distribution agreement for Grit. Univision Television Group carries Grit in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., Houston, Miami and other markets, while Raycom Media carries Grit in Cleveland/Akron, Charlotte, Cincinnati, West Palm Beach, Birmingham, Louisville and more.

"To have Sinclair, one of the strongest station groups in the country, roll out Grit in such a tremendous manner reinforces our belief that demo-specific networks as Grit and Escape will help station groups and owners grow and prosper in this new world as consumers combine over-the-air television with over-the-top services," commented Wolf.

"Grit features unique programming that is complementary to some of our other programming and viewer demographics," commented David Amy, Chief Operating Officer of Sinclair Broadcast Group.  "Broadcast television is the most effective distribution medium for any content owner wanting to reach mass audiences."

Grit is expanding its programming as well as its distribution. The network just recently acquired the television rights to a package of demo-targeted theatrical motion pictures from Sony Pictures Television and has similar movie deals with Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution and NBCUniversal Television & New Media Distribution, U.S. & Canada.

Grit is part of Katz Broadcasting, a new company established by current Bounce TV founder/COO and former Turner Broadcasting executive Jonathan Katz.

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SOURCE Katz Broadcasting