Free TV Networks
 | |
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Media |
| Founded | November 7, 2023 |
| Founder | Jonathan Katz |
| Headquarters | Atlanta, Georgia , |
Key people | Jonathan Katz (President/CEO) |
| Products | Television networks |
| Brands |
|
| Parent | Versant |
| Website | freetvnetworks |
Free TV Networks, LLC is an American broadcasting company. Owned by Versant, it operates digital multicast and free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) networks.
The company was founded by Jonathan Katz, who had previously run Katz Broadcasting prior to its sale to the E. W. Scripps Company in 2017.
History
In November 2023, Jonathan Katz—who had owned Katz Broadcasting prior to its sale to the E. W. Scripps Company in 2017—announced a new venture known as Free TV Networks, which would similarly operate digital multicast television networks, as well as free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) services. The new company planned to launch two networks on January 1, 2024, including The365 (later renamed 365BLK)—which would focus on programming targeting African Americans, and Outlaw—which would broadcast Westerns. The new company reached agreements with Lionsgate and Warner Bros. Discovery to provide content, and Gray Media to provide an initial affiliation base serving at least 80% of the country at launch.[1]
Among the new company's initial board members were boxing promoter Al Haymon and civil rights activist Martin Luther King III, who were both among the original investors in Katz's Bounce TV.[2][1]
In April 2024, Free TV Networks announced a third network known as Dare, a joint venture with A+E Networks that would feature unscripted programming from its library.[3] On July 1, 2024, the network launched as Defy, after Scripps Networks discontinued its version of the channel (which had also carried A+E Networks programming, and was replaced by Ion Plus) and Free TV Networks assumed rights to the branding.[4][5] Defy returned to selected Ion Media stations in July 2025 as part of an affiliation agreement with Scripps.[6]
On March 1, 2025, Free TV launched a fourth network, Busted, devoted to reality and "caught on camera"-based true crime programs following law enforcement (such as Cops Reloaded, Court Cam, Jail, and World's Wildest Police Videos among others).[7]
In December 2025, Versant—a then-upcoming spin-off of Comcast and NBCUniversal—announced that it would acquire Free TV Networks.[8] The acquisition was completed in January 2026, with Free TV Networks becoming a business unit within Versant, and Katz joining the company as an executive to continue managing the networks' day-to-day operations.[9]
In February 2026, Paramount Skydance network, Fave TV, quietly shut down, and all affiliates were replaced with either Outlaw or 365BLK.[10]
References
- ^ a b Hayes, Dade (November 7, 2023). "Warner Bros. Discovery, Lionsgate And Gray Television Team With Free TV Networks, A New Programmer With A Presence On Broadcast TV And Streaming". Deadline. Retrieved January 28, 2026.
- ^ Jessell, Harry A. (October 13, 2015). "OTA The Bedrock of Katz's Growing Diginets". TVNewsCheck. Retrieved October 15, 2015.
- ^ Rice, Lynette (April 3, 2024). "Free TV Networks To Launch New Over-The-Air Channel In Partnership With A+E". Deadline. Retrieved January 28, 2026.
- ^ "Defy Hits The Air". Free TV Networks (Press release). July 1, 2024. Retrieved July 1, 2024.
- ^ Keys, Matthew (July 1, 2024). "Free TV Networks rebrands multicast network Dare as Defy". The Desk. Retrieved October 12, 2024.
- ^ "Free TV Networks Expands Reach With New Affiliate Launches For 365BLK And Defy" (Press release). TVNewsCheck. July 8, 2025. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
- ^ "Free TV Networks To Launch Fourth Diginet". Radio–Television Business Report. January 31, 2025. Retrieved February 2, 2025.
- ^ Porter, Rick (December 4, 2025). "Versant Plans Fandango FAST Offering, Acquires Digital Broadcast Operator Free TV Networks". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 5, 2025.
- ^ Clover, Julian (January 14, 2026). "Versant completes Free TV Networks acquisition". Broadband TV News.
- ^ Durr, Matt (February 5, 2026). "Paramount shuts down TV network available in major US cities without warning". MLive. Retrieved February 17, 2026.