Yet another free broadcast channel is launching with a scheduled filled with reality-based re-runs.
On Wednesday, Free TV Networks said it will debut a new network called Dare that will offer “value-conscious consumers” a new destination on broadcast TV to watch comfort food reality programming.
The channel will launch on July 1 with shows like “Ax Men,” “Counting Cars,” “American Pickers,” “Pawn Stars” and “Storage Wars” — shows from A+E Networks that have been available on similarly-themed digital broadcast networks over the past few years.
When it debuts, Free TV Networks says Dare will cover 80 percent of the country via over-the-air broadcast stations, though specific distribution agreements were not revealed in a press release sent to reporters on Wednesday.
“We are thrilled to partner with A+E Networks and offer value-conscious consumers a differentiated and world-class reality channel delivered for free, over-the-air,” Jonathan Katz, the founder of Free TV Networks, said in a statement. “All of Dare’s unscripted and popular programming has been proven to deliver a growing audience of scale for advertisers. With our first two networks already exceeding initial viewership and revenue expectations, Dare moves us closer to becoming the country’s leading independent owner and operator of premium, digital broadcast network.”
Dare complements two other channels launched by Free TV Networks over the past few months: Western-format Outlaw and Black-centric The365.
Free TV Networks said it is trying to capitalize on the momentum of consumers moving away from traditional pay television like cable and satellite in pursuit of cheaper — and, often, free — options like broadcast TV. Citing industry studies, Free TV Networks said around 35 million homes across the United States have a digital antenna, with the market expected to surpass 50 million homes by 2027.
