Nexstar Media Group to Launch Bounce, Escape, Grit & Laff on 43 New Channels, Renews and Extends 21 Current Station Agreements

ATLANTA, Nov. 1, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- In 2016, Nexstar Media Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: NXST,"Nexstar"), in conjunction with Mission Broadcasting, Inc. ("Mission") and White Knight Broadcasting, Inc. ("White Knight") entered the largest multicast distribution launch in the history of broadcast television.  Nexstar, Mission, White Knight, along with new partners Shield Media LLC ("Shield"), Tamer Media, LLC ("Tamer") and Vaughan Media LLC ("Vaughan"), have agreed to add Bounce, Escape, Grit and Laff, the four leading new generation broadcast networks, on 43 more channels and has renewed affiliation agreements for 21 current stations with all affiliations extending well into the next decade.

Once the new launches are in place, Katz networks will be available on over 200 channels from these broadcasters across the country.

The new multi-year agreements cover 52 stations in 41 markets that are now owned or programmed by Nexstar following its acquisition of Media General in January 2017. Among the highlights:

• Bounce will be launched in Austin, Albuquerque, Colorado Springs and Albany, NY (on a station owned by Shield) with renewals in Indianapolis, Hartford, Norfolk, Grand Rapids, Providence and four other markets. 
• Escape will be added to 16 stations including in Tampa, Raleigh, Austin and Birmingham and has been renewed in Grand Rapids, Albuquerque (on a station owned by Tamer), Dayton and Topeka.
• Grit will be launched in eight markets including San Francisco, Raleigh and Nashville while being renewed in Hartford, Austin, Grand Rapids and Albuquerque (on a station owned by Tamer).
• Laff will be carried in 13 new markets including Washington D.C., Columbus, OH and Harrisburg, PA and Birmingham and renewed in Austin, Grand Rapids, Albuquerque (on a station owned by Tamer) and 10 other DMAs.

The latest distribution gains will drive Bounce to 86 percent of the United States and 95 percent of African-American households, while Escape, Grit and Laff will now reach 89 percent, 87 percent and 90 percent of all U.S. TV households, respectively.

"Our new distribution agreements with Bounce, Escape, Grit and Laff will bring new value to our acquired Media General stations as all four networks have a proven track record delivering exciting and valued programming to our viewers. 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 that is complementary to our stations' existing high quality, locally originated news and other exclusive local and network-affiliated programming," commented Brian Jones, Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer.

"Nexstar has been a terrific partner for Bounce, Escape, Grit and Laff and we are thrilled to expand and extend our relationship with them for many years to come," said Jonathan Katz, President and Chief Executive Officer of Katz Networks.

About Nexstar Media Group, Inc.
Nexstar Media 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 170 television stations and related digital multicast signals reaching 100 markets or approximately 39% 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. For more information please visit www.nexstar.tv.

About Katz Networks
The Katz networks are targeted, demo-specific brands leading a new generation of fast-growing broadcast networks created to serve cord-cutters, cord-nevers and subscription-video-on-demand (SVOD) subscribers. Bounce, seen in 86 percent of U.S. households and 95 percent of all target-market, African-American television homes, is the first and only African-American broadcast network and features a programming mix of original and off-network series, theatrical motion pictures, specials, live sports and more. Escape, currently in 89 percent of the U.S., reaches women 25-54 with a brand of programming anchored in stories of investigation and mystery. Grit, available in 87 percent of U.S. households, targets men 25-54 with a lineup of western and action movies and series. Laff, covering 90 percent of the U.S., is the nation's first over-the-air network devoted to comedy around-the-clock, and presents contemporary off-network sitcoms and popular movies geared toward an audience of adults 18-49.

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

SOURCE Katz