Univision Bouncing Over Katz Deal Extension

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Will Univision Communication TV stations offering four English-language multichannel networks continue to do so for the next several years? The answer is ¡Sí! thanks to a new agreement forged between the Miami-based multimedia company targeting millennials and Latino consumers and Katz Broadcasting, now a unit of The E.W. Scripps Co.


The deal extends the affiliation agreements of Bounce, Escape, Grit and Laff through 2024.

The DT channels are tied an entity — Katz — that this month was acquired by Scripps in a deal valued at $302 million. Closing is expected to occur on Oct. 2.

The Katz networks reach upward of 80% of the U.S., and Univision multicasts of the network can be found in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas-Ft. Worth, San Francisco, Miami-Ft. Lauderdale, Tampa-St. Petersburg, Phoenix, Denver, Orlando, Sacramento and 10 additional Univision markets including Washington, D.C., where WFDC-14 will add the digital multicast network Bounce.

“The Katz-owned content we broadcast on our stations have proven valuable to our viewers and advertisers, and demonstrates an efficient use of our broadcast spectrum,” said Univision Chief Local Media Officer John Eck.

Bounce TV was founded in 2011 as “the first and only African-American broadcast network on television.”

Grit bowed in 2014 and targets men aged 25-54 with Western, war and action films.

The Escape network is aimed at middle-aged women with programs “anchored in stories of investigation and mystery.”

Lastly, the Laff network, which debuted in 2015, aims for 18-to-49 year-olds with sitcoms and comedic featured films.