Bounce TV Adds Weigel Broadcasting Stations in Chicago and Milwaukee as Rapid Expansion Continues

ATLANTA, Aug. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Bounce TV (http://bouncetv.com), the first-ever over-the-air broadcast television network for African-Americans launching September 26, has seen unprecedented growth since being announced on April 4.  That rapid expansion continued today as the network announced the additions of Chicago (WWME) and Milwaukee (WBME) in a new affiliation agreement with Weigel Broadcasting Co.

In just the past seven days, Bounce TV has added the Weigel stations in Chicago and Milwaukee, Gannett Broadcasting's WATL-TV in Atlanta, the number two African American television market in the country, as well as signed Toyota USA as the network's first national advertiser.

"It has been an incredible week and, given the strong demand for Bounce TV, we anticipate more weeks like it as our launch draws closer," commented Bounce TV executive vice president of distribution Jeffrey Wolf.  "We are ecstatic to be in business with Weigel Broadcasting Co.  Given their strength in the diginet business, Weigel brings a tremendous amount of value and credibility to our efforts with both affiliate and advertiser sales."

"Weigel Broadcasting's Chicago stations have long served a diverse group of underserved communities, especially the African American community," commented Neal Sabin, president of content and networks for Weigel Broadcasting Co.  "Chicago's African American community first saw "A Blacks View of the News" and "Soul Train," prior to its historic syndication run, on our stations. Affiliating with Bounce TV continues that tradition and enhances the Weigel heritage with an important segment of our viewers."

Bounce TV now has affiliation agreements with Weigel, Gannett, Belo Corp., Nexstar Communications, LIN TV Corp. and Raycom Media. The new network expects to be available in at least 50% of the country by its launch.  The network will be seen in Chicago, Atlanta, Houston, Cleveland/Akron, Milwaukee, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Hartford/New Haven, Norfolk, Dayton, West Palm Beach, Birmingham, Memphis, Louisville and Richmond, VA among other markets to date.

Bounce TV will target African Americans primarily between the ages of 25-54 with a programming mix of theatrical motion pictures, live sporting events, documentaries, specials, inspirational faith-based programs, off-net series, original programming and more.  Bounce TV will air twenty four hours a day, seven days a week as a digital terrestrial network designed for carriage on the digital signals of local television stations.  

About Weigel Broadcasting Co.

Weigel Broadcasting Co. and affiliate companies own and operate The U/WCIU-TV 26.1, The U Too/ WCIU-TV 26.2, Me-TV/WCIU-TV 26.3, Me-Too/WCIU-TV 26.4, THIS/ WCIU-TV 26.5, WWME-CA 23, The U Too/WMEU-CA 48 in Chicago, IL; CBS/WDJT-TV 58.1, WMLW/WDJT-TV 58.2, THIS/WDJT-TV 58.3, Shorewest TV/WDJT-TV 58.4, WMLW-CA 41, WMLW-LD 41.1, Me-TV/WBME-TV 49.1, Telemundo/WBME-TV 49.4, Telemundo/WYTU-LD 63.1, Me-TV/WYTU-LP 63 in Milwaukee, WI; and ABC/WBND-LD 57.1, Me-TV/WBND-LD 57.2, CW/WCWW-TV 25.1, THIS/WCWW-TV 25.2, My Michiana/WMYS-TV 69.1 in South Bend, IN.  Weigel Broadcasting Co. also owns and operates the Me-TV, Memorable Entertainment Television network and in collaboration with MGM, created and operates THIStv Network.

SOURCE Bounce TV