Sinclair Broadcast Group says it is launching a new “comfort food” style digital broadcast network that will replace its sports-oriented channel Stadium on broadcast stations across the country.
The new channel, called The Nest, will feature general entertainment, true crime and reality-based lifestyle programming when it debuts on October 30.
“We’re excited to bring this breadth of hit library series to add another layer to The Stack, Sinclair’s portfolio of linear networks featuring Comet, Charge and TBD,” Scott Ehrlich, the chief innovation officer at Sinclair, said in a statement Wednesday morning. “The Nest couples the power and growth of free-to-consumer, over-the-air distribution with great content that viewers love. We’re confident the combination will deliver a premium experience for audiences and a great environment for advertisers.”
Sinclair said the following programs will air on The Nest, with more to be announced at a later date:
- American Justice
- Cajun Pawn Stars
- Cold Case Files
- Dance Moms
- Dog the Bounty Hunter
- Flipping Boston
- Flipping San Diego
- Gene Simmons: Family Jewels
- Growing Up Gotti
- Ice Road Truckers
- Little Women: LA
- Ozzy & Jack’s World Detour
- Sell This House
- Steven Segal: Lawman
- Wahlburgers
At launch, Sinclair says The Nest will become immediately available to 50 percent of American TV viewers across the country. Affiliates are already lined up in top-tier television markets like New York City, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Dallas, San Francisco, Boston and Seattle, where The Nest will replace Stadium.
Less clear is what will become of Stadium once The Nest debuts. In addition to being distributed on over-the-air television, Stadium is available as a free, ad-supported streaming channel on platforms like Plex, Pluto TV, Tubi, Amazon’s Freevee, The Roku Channel and Sinclair’s own streaming service STIRR.
