• by Wayne Friedman , April 3, 2014

More TV network launches are coming -- thanks to the still evolving TV platform of local TV digital multicast signals.

Jonathan Katz, founder/chief operating officer of Bounce TV -- itself a digitally based TV network based on local TV digital signals -- is starting two new networks, one targeted to women 25-54 called Escape, and another focused on men 25-54, called Grit, to be launched this summer.

Univision Television Group stations -- New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, Houston and Miami -- will be the basis for starting up the networks -- where the new networks will each have a footprint of 30% of U.S. TV homes' local TV. Bounce TV also has Univision TV stations as major affiliates.

Escape will offer up a mix of theatrical movies and off-network TV series, while Grit will program action-adventure TV shows and films “around the classic male hero archetype” -- with TV films starring John Wayne, Clint Eastwood and Chuck Norris.

The two networks will be part of Katz Broadcasting, a new company established by Jonathan Katz, who will be president/chief executive officer. He will continue as COO of Bounce TV.

Jeffrey Wolf, former executive vice president of U.S. syndication sales for Sony Pictures Television has been hired as the chief distribution officer of Katz Broadcasting.

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