At exactly 6am Eastern on Saturday, March 1, the fourth digital multicast network to be offered by an Atlanta-based entity led by President/CEO Jonathan Katz signed on the air. Promising “endless thrills through first-hand, high-adrenaline, crime-focused programming,” the diginet launched with more than 90% coverage of U.S. households.
Geared toward male viewers, “BUSTED” joins Free TV Networks’ lineup of digital multicast networks with a big out-of-the gate boost, thanks to distribution agreements with The E.W. Scripps Co., Gray Media, Nexstar Media Group, and HC2 Broadcasting TV stations across the U.S.
BUSTED joins “DEFY,” which was announced in April 2024 under working name “DARE” and launched in July 2024; and two networks launched on January 1, 2024: African American-focused “365BLK” and Classic Westerns-driven “OUTLAW.”
Katz commented, “With consumers shifting away from cable, Free TV Networks will continue to grow by serving audiences that combine antenna usage with streaming.”
Free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) channels are a big part of Free TV Networks’ growth effort, as Katz seeks to capture cord-cutters and “cord-nevers” who are not cable TV service subscribers. In this space, Free TV Networks on January 21 launched a FAST channel curated by actress and African American activist Pam Grier. It is presently available on The Roku Channel and on Plex.tv.
Where can one watch “BUSTED”? RBR+TVBR received the channel lineup, and viewers will need to scan their digital televisions if they use an antenna to find the offerings.