Nexstar To Launch Rewind TV, Digital Channel Airing Classics

[MA]

https://www.nexttv.com/news/nexstar-...1HqOCdG-xhlbYk

Network features 80s and 90s hits ‘Drew Carey,’ ‘Murphy Brown,’ ‘Growing Pains’

Nexstar Media said it plans to launch Rewind TV, a new digital subchannel airing classic sitcoms from the 1980s and 1990s, on Sept. 1.

With cord-cutting more viewers are turning not just to streaming, but to over the air digital multicast channels, and broadcasters are launching channels featuring vintage series to take advantage of the demand.

Rewind TV will reach 50 million homes at launch, or about 40% of U.S. television households, Nexstar said. It will be carried on digital subchannels by TV stations, including outlets in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago.

The new network will feature shows from the 1980s and 1990s, including The Drew Carey Show, Murphy Brown, The Facts of Life, Growing Pains, Wings, Sabrina The Teenage Witch, Who’s the Boss and Family Ties.

Nexstar already owns one of the oldest digital broadcast networks with Antenna TV, originally started by Tribune Broadcasting, which Nexstar acquired. Antenna TV will focus on programming from the 1960s and 1970s, including reruns of Johnny Carson on weeknights.

“This year marks Antenna TV’s 10-year anniversary, and it continues growing and finding new audiences,” said Sean Compton, president of Nexstar Media Inc.’s Networks Division. “To complement Antenna TV’s strong following with Baby Boomers, we created Rewind TV to give Gen X viewers a network dedicated to their own nostalgic comedy classics.”

Nexstar is not the only company launching digital channels, which are becoming a substantial business.

Earlier this month, Tegna launched Twist, a digital multicast channel aimed at women with unscripted lifestyle shows including Dance Moms, Tabatha Takes Over and Flipped Out. Twist was initially available in 43 markets.

Tegna bought two other multicast networks from Cooper Media for $77 million in 2019. The networks are adventure-oriented Quest and Justice, which was relaunched as True Crime last year.

E.W. Scripps plans to launch two new multicast networks on July 1, One is Defy, with unscripted programming aimed at men with the slogan “Here’s to the Mavericks.” . The other is TrueReal, featuring reality shows, mainly off-cable from A+E Networks, aimed at women 25 to 54. TrueReal was originally called Doozy, but it was quickly rebranded.

In 2017, Scripps bought Katz Networks for $302 million, Katz operated Bounce, Escape, Grit and Laff channels featuring vintage shows targeting viewers based on genres and demographics. It has since launched additional channels including Court TV.

The Katz Networks had profits of $62.5 million, up 45% in 2020, on revenue of $257.5 million, up 13.4%.

The Katz Networks are now part of Scripps National Networks unit along with Ion Media.

Some of the stations that had carried Katz networks will be carrying Nexstar’s new Rewind TV. Scripps is moving its channels to Ion stations it now owns, reducing the distribution fees it pays.

In October, Scripps plans to launch Newsy, its streaming news channel, as a free over-the-air network as well on Oct.1.

Last year, Byron Allen bought digital multicast networks This TV and Light TV from MGM.

Weigel Broadcasting Co. is another player in the multicast business with one of the oldest and highest rated networks, MeTV. It also operates Movies! Network in cooperation with Fox Television Stations, and Decades, H&I and Start TV in association with CBS Television Stations.

In addition to owning 198 TV stations in its broadcasting division, Nexstar’s networks division operates Antenna TV, the NewsNation cable TV network (formerly WGN America) and WGN Radio in Chicago.

[VisualSensation]

I was looking forward to this announcement, but it leaves me somewhat disappointed. All of the Rewind shows are simply rehashes of what AntennaTV or some other diginet has already shown.

[GentlemanJim]

Originally Posted by VisualSensation

I was looking forward to this announcement, but it leaves me somewhat disappointed. All of the Rewind shows are simply rehashes of what AntennaTV or some other diginet has already shown.

Maybe by giving the 80s and 90s shows a dedicated channel, that will make more room for TRUE classics on AntennaTV?

[GentlemanJim]

Originally Posted by MA

Earlier this month, Tegna launched Twist, a digital multicast channel aimed at women with unscripted lifestyle shows including Dance Moms, Tabatha Takes Over and Flipped Out. Twist was initially available in 43 markets.

Tegna bought two other multicast networks from Cooper Media for $77 million in 2019. The networks are adventure-oriented Quest and Justice, which was relaunched as True Crime last year.

E.W. Scripps plans to launch two new multicast networks on July 1, One is Defy, with unscripted programming aimed at men with the slogan “Here’s to the Mavericks.” . The other is TrueReal, featuring reality shows, mainly off-cable from A+E Networks, aimed at women 25 to 54..

Does anyone really believe those shows are unscripted? I think what they mean by that is that if anyone on camera forgets their lines, everyone just giggles, and they don't have to bother reshooting the scene.

[TKMetal]

The John Larroquette Show is a bit of a surprise.

[MA]

Originally Posted by TKMetal

The John Larroquette Show is a bit of a surprise.

I was surprised to see it on there as well.

[Pavan]

We will do a story on tomorrow's blog, but here is the press release:

NEXSTAR MEDIA INC. TO LAUNCH “REWIND TV” ON SEPTEMBER 1

Digital Subchannel Will Air Classic TV Hits from the 1980s and 1990s

IRVING, TX (April 26, 2021) – Nexstar Media Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Nexstar Media Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: NXST), today announced that it will launch Rewind TV, a digital subchannel offering a slate of classic television sitcom hits from the 1980s and 1990s, on September 1, 2021. At its launch, Rewind TV will reach 40 percent of U.S. television households, or nearly 50 million homes, including New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. Rewind TV will be available on newly designated or recently vacated digital subchannels licensed to Nexstar.

Rewind TV’s initial line-up of hit favorites will include: The Drew Carey Show, Suddenly Susan, Caroline in the City, The John Larroquette Show, 227, Becker, Dear John, Designing Women, Diff’rent Strokes, The Facts of Life, Family Ties, Growing Pains, Head of the Class, The Hogan Family, Mork & Mindy, Murphy Brown, My Two Dads, NewsRadio, Sabrina The Teenage Witch, Who’s the Boss, and Wings. Nexstar’s companion digital network, Antenna TV, will continue to air some of the most popular programming from the 1960s and 1970s, including weeknight reruns of Johnny Carson.

“This year marks Antenna TV’s 10-year anniversary, and it continues growing and finding new audiences,” said Sean Compton, President of Nexstar Media Inc.’s Networks Division. “To complement Antenna TV’s strong following with Baby Boomers, we created Rewind TV to give Gen X viewers a network dedicated to their own nostalgic comedy classics.”

More information about Rewind TV can be found at www.rewindtv.com.

[Svenfan1234]

Hopefully Empty Nest will come to this network as well.

[MA]

Here is the Shows page:

https://rewindtv.com/shows/

[MA]

Originally Posted by Svenfan1234

Hopefully Empty Nest will come to this network as well.

Along with Ellen.

[Svenfan1234]

Originally Posted by MA

Here is the Shows page:

https://rewindtv.com/shows/

Wow, I don't see any trace of shows like Benson, Coach, Gimme a Break, or Silver Spoons but they could come later I suppose.

[Svenfan1234]

Originally Posted by MA

Along with Ellen.

Yep, Ellen would be nice to see on Rewind TV as well.

[MA]

Originally Posted by Pavan

We will do a story on tomorrow's blog, but here is the press release:

NEXSTAR MEDIA INC. TO LAUNCH “REWIND TV” ON SEPTEMBER 1

Digital Subchannel Will Air Classic TV Hits from the 1980s and 1990s

IRVING, TX (April 26, 2021) – Nexstar Media Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Nexstar Media Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: NXST), today announced that it will launch Rewind TV, a digital subchannel offering a slate of classic television sitcom hits from the 1980s and 1990s, on September 1, 2021. At its launch, Rewind TV will reach 40 percent of U.S. television households, or nearly 50 million homes, including New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. Rewind TV will be available on newly designated or recently vacated digital subchannels licensed to Nexstar.

Rewind TV’s initial line-up of hit favorites will include: The Drew Carey Show, Suddenly Susan, Caroline in the City, The John Larroquette Show, 227, Becker, Dear John, Designing Women, Diff’rent Strokes, The Facts of Life, Family Ties, Growing Pains, Head of the Class, The Hogan Family, Mork & Mindy, Murphy Brown, My Two Dads, NewsRadio, Sabrina The Teenage Witch, Who’s the Boss, and Wings. Nexstar’s companion digital network, Antenna TV, will continue to air some of the most popular programming from the 1960s and 1970s, including weeknight reruns of Johnny Carson.

“This year marks Antenna TV’s 10-year anniversary, and it continues growing and finding new audiences,” said Sean Compton, President of Nexstar Media Inc.’s Networks Division. “To complement Antenna TV’s strong following with Baby Boomers, we created Rewind TV to give Gen X viewers a network dedicated to their own nostalgic comedy classics.”

More information about Rewind TV can be found at www.rewindtv.com.

I'll make sure to post the blog post in the thread tomorrow.

[MikeLutton]

awesome hope i get this channell

[MA]

Originally Posted by Svenfan1234

Wow, I don't see any trace of shows like Benson, Coach, Gimme a Break, or Silver Spoons but they could come later I suppose.

If it does well enough, then I could see all of those shows coming.