Ed Gordon Begins Production, Bounce TV’s First-Ever Primetime News Magazine Show to Debut Sept. 13

 

ATLANTA (June 29, 2016) — Bounce TV announced today that production has commenced on Ed Gordon, the network’s first entry into the primetime news magazine format, and the show’s premiere date has been scheduled for Tues. Sept. 13 at 10:00 p.m. (ET).

 

Multiple award-winning and well-respected television journalist Ed Gordon will produce and host the series of one-hour specials in which he’ll sit down for revealing interviews with top headline makers, entertainers and pop cultural figures. Ed Gordon will also include investigative pieces, celebrity profiles, current event segments and human interest feature stories.

 

“From President Obama to Louis Farrakhan, from Beyoncé to O.J. Simpson, Ed is a trusted confidante of African-American newsmakers who define our culture. His insightful reporting and courageous storytelling make him the perfect journalist to shepherd our first news magazine show,” said Ri-Karlo Handy, Senior Vice President of Original Programming for Bounce TV.

 

Gordon commented, “We are going to produce the kind of program I have always wanted to do. We’ll provide perspective and give our audience a more complete picture of the major issues. I’ll be able to talk one-on-one with the day’s newsmakers and celebrities and get them to open up. That’s always a challenge and something the audience has come to expect from me. At the same time, we will also tell a wide variety of stories that are rarely presented on television. I’m extremely excited about our new show and thrilled to be joining Bounce TV.”

 

Gordon has been a contributing correspondent for 60 Minutes, The Today Show and Dateline NBC, the host of “News and Notes with Ed Gordon” on NPR, anchorman for BET and is a weekly contributor to the national Steve Harvey Radio Show. He is also the recipient of an NAACP Image Award, as well as the prestigious Journalist of the Year Award from the National Association of Black Journalist.

 

Bounce TV is the fastest-growing African-American (AA) network on television and airs on the broadcast signals of local television stations and corresponding cable carriage. The network features a programming mix of original and off-network series, theatrical motion pictures, specials, live sports and more. Bounce TV has grown to be available in more than 94 million homes across the United States and 93% of all African American television homes, including all of the top AA television markets. Among the founders of Bounce TV are iconic American figures Martin Luther King, III and Ambassador Andrew Young. For more information, visit BounceTV.com.

 

Contact:         Jim Weiss                  770-672-6504             [email protected]

In Largest Multicast Network Distribution Launch in History, Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc., Mission Broadcasting, Inc. And White Knight Broadcasting, Inc. to Roll Out Escape, Grit, Laff and Bounce TV

130 Launches Across 81 Stations in 54 Markets
Will Drive Escape to 85% of U.S. and 99 Million Households (HHs),
Grit to 93%/108 Million HHs, Laff to 85%/99 Million HHs,
Bounce TV to 92% of African-American Homes/94 Million Total HHs

 

ATLANTA (June 15, 2016) — In the largest multicast distribution launch in the history of broadcast television, Katz Broadcasting and Bounce TV announced today that that stations owned or programmed by Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: NXST, “Nexstar”), Mission Broadcasting, Inc. and White Knight Broadcasting, Inc. will carry Escape, Grit, Laff and Bounce TV on 130 channel locations across 81 stations in 54 markets.

 

The announcement follows the execution of multi-year agreements with Nexstar, Mission and White Knight by Katz Broadcasting, which owns and operates Escape, Grit and Laff, and Bounce Media, the parent company of Bounce TV.

 

Bounce TV will partner with its’ Louisville affiliate WAVE-TV, owned and operated by Raycom Media, for the special event, airing WAVE’s local hometown coverage and insight nationwide.

 

The agreement will add:

  • 42 new Escape markets, driving Escape to 85% of the United States which represents 99 million homes.
  • 28 new markets for Grit, putting Grit in 93% of the U.S., 108M households.
  • 45 new Laff markets; Laff is now in 85% of the country, 99M homes.
  • 15 new markets for Bounce TV plus Bounce has been renewed by Nexstar in eight other markets and Mission in one market. Bounce TV is now in 81% U.S., 94M homes and 92% of African-American households.

 

“Escape, Grit, Laff and Bounce TV are unique brands that are complementary to our stations’ existing high quality, original, local news and other exclusive local and network-affiliated programming. Nexstar’s top priority is serving the needs of the people and communities where we operate and with the launch of these digital multicast networks across the companies’ broadcast platforms, we are delivering more exciting content to local viewers including classic and contemporary off-network sitcoms, original programming, popular movies, action series, documentaries, specials, live sports and more. Katz Broadcasting and Bounce TV are managed by seasoned and talented teams of television veterans who have a proven track record of success in both curating and producing excellent programming and we believe consumers in our markets will enjoy all four networks for many years to come,” commented Brian Jones, Nexstar Broadcasting Group, Inc. Executive Vice President and Co-Chief Operating Officer.

 

“These are monumental agreements for our networks and the emerging broadcasting business overall,” said Jeffrey Wolf, Chief Distribution Officer for Katz Broadcasting and Bounce TV. “Perry Sook and his team at Nexstar Broadcasting have always been innovators and we’re grateful for the tremendous confidence they’ve placed in our brands.”

 

The four networks will be carried in multiple combinations on the Nexstar/Mission/White Knight stations in the following markets: Washington, D.C./Hagerstown MD; Phoenix, AZ, Salt Lake City, UT; Memphis, TN; Fresno, CA; Wilkes Barre-Scranton, PA; Little Rock-Pine Bluff, AR; Charleston/Huntington, WV; Green Bay, WI; Roanoke-Lynchburg, VA; Ames-Des Moines, IA; Springfield, MO; Rochester, NY; Huntsville, AL; Shreveport, LA; Syracuse, NY; Champaign-Decatur-Springfield, IL; Harlingen-Weslaco-Brownsville, TX; Waco-Temple-Bryan, TX; El Paso, TX; Baton Rouge, LA; Burlington, VT; Fort Smith-Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR; Davenport, IA/Rock Island-Moline, IL; Evansville, IL; Johnstown-Altoona, PA; Tyler, TX; Peoria, IL; La Crosse-Eau Claire, WI; Amarillo, TX; Rockford, IL; Monroe, LA/El Dorado, AR; Lubbock, TX; Odessa-Midland, TX; Wichita Falls, TX/Lawton, OK; Sioux City, IA; Erie, PA; Joplin, MO; Panama City, FL; Terre Haute, IN; Bluefield/Beckley/Oak Hill, WV; Binghamton, NY; Abilene/Sweetwater, TX; Billings, MT; Clarksburg/Weston, WV; Utica, NY; Dothan, AL; Elmira, NY; Jackson, TN; Watertown, NY; Alexandria, LA; Marquette, WI; Grand Junction, CO and San Angelo, TX.

 

Escape reaches women 25-54 with a brand of programming anchored in stories of crime and mystery. Grit targets men 25-54 with a heavy focus on western and action theatrical motion pictures and series. Both Grit and Escape are C3 rated nationally by Nielsen Media Services while simultaneously expanding into general market advertising sales. Escape will launch into original programming production with five new true-crime series. Laff features a mix of contemporary off-network sitcoms and popular movies. The Laff brand crosses multiple platforms, with the linear network carried on the signals of local broadcast stations with corresponding cable carriage and digital content being curated, aggregated and available at Laff.com and on mobile via the Laff app. Katz Broadcasting was established in 2014 by former Turner Broadcasting executive Jonathan Katz.

 

Bounce TV – the only emerging broadcast network producing original scripted series – is the fastest-growing African-American (AA) network on television. Bounce TV features a programming mix of original and off-network series, theatrical motion pictures, specials, live sports and more. Among the founders of Bounce TV are iconic American figures Martin Luther King, III and former United Nations Ambassador and Civil Rights icon Andrew Young.

 

Nexstar Broadcasting Group is a leading diversified media company that leverages localism to bring new services and value to consumers and advertisers through its traditional media, digital and mobile media platforms. Nexstar owns, operates, programs or provides sales and other services to 104 full power television stations reaching 54 markets or approximately 18.1% of all U.S. television households. Nexstar’s portfolio includes primary affiliates of NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX, MyNetworkTV and The CW. Nexstar’s community portal websites offer additional hyper-local content and verticals for consumers and advertisers, allowing audiences to choose where, when and how they access content while creating new revenue opportunities.

 

Contact:         Jim Weiss                  770-672-6504             [email protected]

Bounce TV to Air Muhammad Ali Procession and Memorial Service Live, Uninterrupted and Commercial-Free on Friday

The Greatest (1977), Starring Ali as Himself, To Be Seen Between Events

 

Special Ali Tributes Also Featured Sunday Night In Premier Boxing Champions – The Next Round

 

Farewell to The Greatest

ATLANTA (June 8, 2016) — Bounce TV will carry Muhammad Ali’s farewell procession through the streets of Louisville and his memorial service live, uninterrupted and commercial-free this Friday, June 10.

 

Bounce TV will also air the memorial service scheduled for 2:00 p.m. ET, which will include eulogies by President Bill Clinton, Bryant Gumbel and Billy Crystal.

 

Bounce TV will partner with its’ Louisville affiliate WAVE-TV, owned and operated by Raycom Media, for the special event, airing WAVE’s local hometown coverage and insight nationwide.

 

Between the procession and the service, Bounce TV will present The Greatest, the 1977 motion picture in which Ali stars as himself. A dramatization of Ali’s life, The Greatest begins with Cassius Clay winning gold at the 1960 Olympic Games and then follows his stunning victory over Sonny Liston, his conversion to Islam and name change, Ali’s refusal of the military draft on religious grounds and subsequent nearly four-year long court battle to fight again. Ali wins the legal victory and then returns to the ring and takes part in what many consider some of the greatest boxing matches of all time.

 

Bounce TV will also include several special tributes to the late icon and his tremendous impact on boxing throughout the telecast of Premier Boxing Champions – The Next Round Sunday night, June 12 starting at 9:00 p.m. ET.

 

Bounce TV is the fastest-growing African-American (AA) network on television and airs on the broadcast signals of local television stations and corresponding cable carriage. The network features a programming mix of original and off-network series, theatrical motion pictures, specials, live sports and more. Among the founders of Bounce TV are iconic American figures Martin Luther King, III and Ambassador Andrew Young.

 

Contact:         Jim Weiss                  770-672-6504             [email protected]

The Greatest

Bounce TV to Pay Tribute to Muhammad Ali with The Greatest (1977) Monday, June 6 at 10:00 P.M. (ET), 9:00 P.M. (CT)

The Greatest

ATLANTA (June 4, 2016) — Bounce TV will celebrate the incredible life of Muhammad Ali, the global icon who passed away Friday at the age of 74, with a special presentation of The Greatest, the 1977 motion picture in which Ali stars as himself, on Monday night, June 6 at 10:00 p.m. Eastern Time, 9:00 p.m. Central.

 

The Greatest is a dramatization of Ali’s life and starts with his rise to fame winning the heavyweight gold medal at the 1960 Olympic Games, when he was known as Cassius Clay. He then stuns Sonny Liston to become heavyweight champion of the world and soon after converts to Islam and changes his name. When he is suddenly classified 1A by the Draft Board that earlier rejected him, Ali refuses the draft on religious grounds, which leads to the stripping of his title. Embarking on — and ultimately winning — a nearly four-year long court battle, Ali then returns to the ring and takes part in what many consider some of the greatest fights of all time.  Against all odds, he defeats George Foreman in the legendary “Rumble in the Jungle” to win back the heavyweight title.

 

The Greatest was based on a book written by Ali and others and the boxing footage is largely from the actual fights. The film includes the song The Greatest Love of All, written for the movie and performed by George Benson; it was later remade by Whitney Houston.

 

Bounce TV is the fastest-growing African-American (AA) network on television and airs on the broadcast signals of local television stations and corresponding cable carriage. The network features a programming mix of original and off-network series, theatrical motion pictures, specials, live sports and more. Among the founders of Bounce TV are iconic American figures Martin Luther King, III and Ambassador Andrew Young.