Laff (TV network)

Laff
Type Digital multicast television network
Country United States
Availability Nationwide via Over the air digital TV (covering 55% of the U.S.)[1]
Founded January 18, 2015 (2015-01-18)
by Jonathan Katz
Slogan You know you want to.
Owner Laff Media, LLC
Parent Katz Broadcasting, LLC
Key people
 Jonathan Katz
(president/CEO, Katz Broadcasting)
Launch date
 April 15, 2015 (2015-04-15)
Picture format
 480i (SDTV)
Affiliates see list
Official website
 laff.com

Laff is an American digital multicast television network that is owned by Laff Media, LLC, a subsidiary of Katz Broadcasting. The network specializes in comedy programming, featuring a mix of feature films and archived sitcoms. Laff is targeted at adults between the ages of 18 and 49 years old.[2]

Originally, Katz sold the network to affiliated TV stations via ad split but by October 2015 had moved to a carriage fees in exchange for the network get the ad inventory due to greater inventory with stations adding a third or fourth subchannel.[3]1 Bounce used direct response advertising as a meter of viewers before switching to Neilsen rating C-3 a few year before 2015.[3]3

History

Laff's launch was announced by Katz Broadcasting in January 2015 as having a scheduled launch date of April 15, 2015, which coincides with Tax Day in the United States, when tax returns are due and, as Broadcasting & Cable writer Jon Lafayette noted in an article on Laff's launch, "people will need something to make them smile."[4]

Katz announced that television stations owned by ABC Owned Television Stations and 13 E. W. Scripps Company would serve as the network's charter affiliates.[5][6] On March 13, 2015, Katz Broadcasting announced an affiliation deal with the Cox Media Group to carry Laff on the subchannels of seven of its stations expanding its initial reach to 47% of the country.[7] The following week on March 20, as part of a multi-network affiliation agreement with Katz, the Meredith Corporation announced that it would carry the network on two of its stations.[8][9]

On February 13, 2015, Laff acquired the syndication rights to five sitcoms.[10] Laff followed that deal with three for film licensing with Walt Disney Studios, Miramax and Sony Pictures Television by March 17.[11]

Programming

Laff's comedy-centered programming consists of a mix of theatrically released feature films, as well as off-network sitcoms.[2] Laff would set itself apart from its multicast competitors by carrying more contemporary programming content, in contrast to the reruns of series from the 1980s and earlier commonly found on other over-the-air networks which rely on acquired content).[5] The network also provide additional content via the network's website and mobile app.[12]

Movies

Laff's program schedule will have access to approximately 250 titles comedic films from the libraries of three film studios by virtue of multi-year program licensing agreements with Walt Disney Studios, Miramax and Sony Pictures Entertainment (distributed by Sony Pictures Television).[13][11]

Television series

In addition to films, much of Laff's programming lineup consists of reruns of situation comedies of over 800 episodes.[11]

Current series

This is a list of shows currently airing on Laff as of May 2, 2016.[14]

E/I
Future Programming

Affiliates

As of 10 December 2015, Laff has current or pending affiliation agreements with television stations in 62 media markets encompassing 21 states (including stations in the top 13 markets), covering 63% of the United States.[16]

Charter affiliates included all 8 ABC Owned Television Stations and 13 13 E. W. Scripps Company stations. [5][6] The two initial deals gave Laff affiliate clearances in 35% of all U.S. markets, and 13 of the 30 largest television markets (including New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Denver, Detroit and Houston). On March 13, 2015, Katz Broadcasting announced an affiliation deal with the Cox Media Group to carry Laff on seven of its stations (including WSB-TV in Atlanta and WFXT in Boston), expanding its initial reach to 47% of the country [7] the following week on March 20, as part of a multi-network affiliation agreement with Katz, the Meredith Corporation announced that it would carry the network on its stations in Portland, Oregon (KPTV) and Hartford (WFSB).[8][17]

List of affiliates

This is the current list of affiliates for Laff as of April 25, 2016.[18]

City of license/market Station Virtual
channel[16]		 Primary affiliation Owner Date of affiliation[4] Notes
Birmingham WVUA[18] 23.3 This TV University of Alabama TBD
Montgomery WALE-LD 17.2 Justice Network Woods Communications
Corporation 		August 11, 2015
Phoenix KNXV-TV 15.3 ABC E. W. Scripps Company April 15, 2015
Tucson KGUN-TV 9.2 July 1, 2015
Fayetteville-Fort Smith KFLU-LD 20.4 Bounce TV DTV America Corporation TBD
Little Rock KQPS-LD 14.2 Telemundo
Fresno KFSN-TV 30.3 ABC ABC Owned Television Stations April 15, 2015
Los Angeles KABC-TV 7.3
San Diego KGTV 10.2 E. W. Scripps Company
San Francisco–Oakland
–San Jose 		KGO-TV 7.3 ABC Owned Television Stations
Denver KMGH-TV 7.3 ABC E. W. Scripps Company April 15, 2015
Hartford–New Haven WFSB 3.3 CBS Meredith Corporation April 15, 2015[8]
Fort Myers–Naples WFTX-TV 36.3 Fox E.W. Scripps Company September 1, 2015
Jacksonville WKBJ-LD 20.4 Buzzr TV DTV America Corporation February 17, 2016
Miami–Ft. Lauderdale WLTV-DT 23.4 Univision Univision Communications September 1, 2015
Orlando WFTV 9.3 ABC Cox Media Group[7] April 15, 2015
Sarasota WSNN-LD 39.3 Independent/
All-news 		Citadel Communications
Tampa–St. Petersburg WFTS-TV 28.2 ABC E. W. Scripps Company
West Palm Beach WPTV-TV 5.3 NBC
Atlanta WSB-TV 2.3 ABC Cox Media Group April 15, 2015[7]
Augusta WJEA-LD 28.1 Independent DTV America Corporation TBD
Savannah WDID-LP 26.1 Regal Media January 4, 2016
Boise KIVI-TV 6.2 ABC E.W. Scripps Company July 1, 2015
Twin Falls KSAW-LD 51.2 Low-power repeater of KIVI-TV
Chicago WLS-TV 7.3 ABC ABC Owned Television Stations April 15, 2015
Evansville WEIN-LD 40.1 Independent DTV America Corporation TBD
Fort Wayne WEDX-LD 29.4 Grit
Indianapolis WRTV 6.3 ABC E. W. Scripps Company April 15, 2015
Cedar Rapids KBBA-LD 14.2 Bounce TV DTV America Corporation TBD
Des Moines K28NF-D 28.2
Wichita KGPT-CD 26.5 Cozi TV Great Plains Television Network, LLC October 26, 2015
Lexington WTVQ-DT 36.4 ABC Morris Multimedia March 30, 2016
Louisville WKYI-CD 24.2 This TV New Albany
Broadcasting Company 		November 5, 2015
Baltimore WMAR-TV 2.2 ABC E. W. Scripps Company April 15, 2015
Boston WFXT 25.3 Fox Cox Media Group April 15, 2015[7]
Cadillac-Traverse City WMNN-LD 26.3 Independent/
All-news 		Freelancer Television Broadcasting January 4, 2016
Detroit WXYZ-TV 7.3 ABC E. W. Scripps Company April 15, 2015
Grand Rapids WOOD-TV[19] 8.3 NBC Media General
(sale pending to Nexstar Broadcasting Group) 		December 18, 2015
Minneapolis-St. Paul KMBD-LD 43.3 Bounce TV DTV America Corporation April 2, 2016
Kansas City KSHB-TV 41.3 NBC E. W. Scripps Company April 15, 2015
St. Louis KBGU-LP 33.4 Buzzr TV DTV America Corporation January 4, 2016
Lincoln KLKN 8.4 ABC Citadel Communications April 15, 2015
Omaha KMTV-TV 3.3 CBS E.W. Scripps Company October 26, 2015
Las Vegas KTNV-TV 13.2 ABC E.W. Scripps Company[20] July 1, 2015
Albuquerque-Santa Fe KWBQ[19] 19.3 The CW Tamer Media, LLC
(operated under an SSA by Media General) 		January 11, 2016
Roswell KRWB 21.3
Albany WXXA-TV[19] 23.3 Fox Shield Media, LLC
(operated through SSA by Media General) 		December 25, 2015
Buffalo WKBW-TV 7.2 ABC E. W. Scripps Company April 28, 2015[21] Launch was originally planned for April 15, 2015, but was delayed two weeks due to technical problems with the equipment used to transmit WKBW's subchannels.[22]
New York City WABC-TV 7.3 ABC Owned Television Stations April 15, 2015[6]
Charlotte WSOC-TV 9.2 ABC Cox Media Group April 15, 2015[7]
Greensboro–Winston-Salem–
High Point 		WCWG 20.3 The CW Lockwood Broadcast Group June 1, 2015
Greenville WPDU-LD 45.4 Grit DTV America Corporation TBD
Raleigh–Durham WTVD 11.3 ABC ABC Owned Television Stations April 15, 2015
Wilmington WADA-LD 18.1 Independent DTV America Corporation January 4, 2016
Fargo–Grand Forks KRDK-TV 4.8 Cozi TV Major Market Broadcasting April 2015
Cincinnati WCPO-TV 9.3 ABC E. W. Scripps Company April 15, 2015
Cleveland WEWS-TV 5.3
Dayton WHIO-TV 7.3 CBS Cox Media Group[7]
Youngstown WYFX-LD[19] 19.3 Fox Media General December 31, 2015
Oklahoma City KBZC-LD 42.2 Bounce TV DTV America Corporation TBD
Tulsa KJRH-TV 2.3 NBC E. W. Scripps Company April 15, 2015
Portland KPTV 12.3 Fox Meredith Corporation October 8, 2015[8]
Philadelphia WPVI-TV 6.3 ABC ABC Owned Television Stations April 15, 2015
Pittsburgh WPXI 11.3 NBC Cox Media Group June 1, 2015[7]
Providence WNAC-TV[19] 64.3 Fox Super Towers, Inc.
(operated through LMA by Media General) 		February 29, 2016
Charleston WBSE-LP 20.1 Independent Regal Media January 4, 2016
Jackson W20DJ-D 20.2 Escape DTV America Corporation TBD
Kingsport WAPK-CD 36.3 Me-TV Glenwood Communications Corporation April 30, 2016
Knoxville WATE-TV[19] 6.3 ABC Media General
(sale pending to Nexstar Broadcasting Group) 		January 10, 2016
Memphis WQEK-LD 36.2 Escape DTV America Corporation TBD
Nashville WTVF 5.3 CBS E.W. Scripps Company[20] September 20, 2015
Austin KNVA[18] 54.3 The CW Vaughan Media, LLC
(operated through LMA by Media General) 		February 1, 2016
Dallas–Fort Worth KUVN-DT 23.4 Univision Univision Communications August 4, 2015
Houston KTRK-TV 13.3 ABC ABC Owned Television Stations April 15, 2015
Lubbock KMYL-LD 14.2 MyNetworkTV Ramar Communications June 1, 2015
San Antonio KNIC-DT 17.4 UniMás Univision Communications September 1, 2015
Tyler KQKT-LD 21.2 Escape DTV America Corporation TBD
Waco KZCZ-LD 34.2 Bounce TV
Salt Lake City KTMW 20.4 Telemundo Serestar Communications October 7, 2015
Norfolk-Hampton Roads WSKY-TV 4.3 Independent Lockwood Broadcast Group November 16, 2015
Richmond WWBK-LP 28.1 Regal Media TBD
Seattle KIRO-TV 7.3 CBS Cox Media Group April 15, 2015[7]
Charleston-Huntington WTZP-LD 50.3 Cozi TV Eagle Broadcasting Group, Inc. December 1, 2015
Green Bay WGBA-TV 26.3 NBC E.W. Scripps Company[20] August 11, 2015
Madison WZCK-LP 8.4 Bounce TV DTV America Corporation TBD
Milwaukee WTMJ-TV 4.2 NBC E.W. Scripps Company[20] September 28, 2015

References

  1. ↑ Downey, Kevin (May 18, 2015). "Scripps in Multi-Net Deal For Katz Diginets". TVNewsCheck (NewsCheck Media). Retrieved May 28, 2015. Laff in 64 million households/55%.
  2. 1 2 Robert Channick (January 19, 2015). "Laff comedy network to launch on WLS-Ch.7 digital subchannel". Chicago Tribune (Tribune Publishing). Retrieved January 28, 2015.
  3. 1 2 Jessell, Harry A. (October 13, 2015). "OTA The Bedrock of Katz's Growing Diginets". TVNewsCheck. Retrieved October 15, 2015.
  4. 1 2 Jon Lafayette (January 18, 2015). "Exclusive: Comedy Multicast Net Launching on ABC, Scripps". Broadcasting & Cable (NewBay Media). Retrieved January 28, 2015.
  5. 1 2 3 Littleton, Cynthia (January 18, 2015). "ABC Sticks with Live Well Digital Channel, Adds Comedy Net". Variety. Retrieved January 28, 2015.
  6. 1 2 3 Pergament, Alan (January 20, 2015). "Ch.7 to add comedy network called LAFF in mid-April on sub-channel". Talkin' TV (Buffalo News). Retrieved January 28, 2015.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Jon Lafayette (March 13, 2015). "Cox Gets Joke And Gives Viewers LAFF". Broadcasting & Cable. NewBay Media.
  8. 1 2 3 4 "Meredith To Add Three Katz Diginets". TVNewsCheck (NewsCheck Media). March 20, 2015.
  9. ↑ Jon Lafayette (March 20, 2015). "Meredith To Carry Grit, Escape, LAFF Networks". Broadcasting & Cable (NewBay Media). Retrieved April 14, 2015.
  10. ↑ "LAFF Comedy Diginet Lands Five Sitcoms". TVNewsCheck (NewsCheck Media). February 13, 2015.
  11. 1 2 3 Jon Lafayette (March 17, 2015). "LAFF Makes Rights Deals to Air 250 Movie Comedies". Broadcasting & Cable (NewBay Media). Retrieved April 14, 2015.
  12. ↑ David Bloom (January 18, 2015). "LAFF Comedy Broadcast Network To Launch April 15 in 21 Markets". Deadline.com (Penske Media Corporation). Retrieved January 28, 2015.
  13. ↑ "LAFF Announces First Film Licensing Agreements". TVNewsCheck (NewsCheck Media). March 17, 2015.
  14. ↑ (PDF) http://www.laff.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/LAF-Website-EST-Grid-02-22-16-thru-03-27-16.pdf. Retrieved 2 May 2016. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  15. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Laff Diginet Rolls Out On Multiple Platforms". TVNewsCheck (NewsCheck Media). April 15, 2015.
  16. 1 2 "Stations for Network - Laff". RabbitEars. Retrieved December 10, 2015.
  17. ↑ Jon Lafayette (March 20, 2015). "Meredith To Carry Grit, Escape, LAFF Networks". Broadcasting & Cable (NewBay Media). Retrieved April 14, 2015.
  18. 1 2 3 http://www.laff.com/find-us/. Retrieved 31 January 2016. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  19. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Lafayette, Jon (November 16, 2015). "Media General, Tribune to Carry Katz Diginets". Broadcasting & Cablle. Retrieved February 4, 2016.
  20. 1 2 3 4 Lafayette, Jon (May 18, 2015). "Scripps Stations to Launch Grit and Escape Networks". Broadcasting & Cable (NewBay Media, LLC). Retrieved February 3, 2016.
  21. ↑ Alan Pergament (April 30, 2015). "LAFF and Escape arrive; DIY's "American Rehab: Buffalo" may arrive soon". The Buffalo News (BH Media Group, LLC). Retrieved April 30, 2015.
  22. ↑ Alan Pergament (April 17, 2015). "New comedy network premiere delayed; WGR's Capaccio replaces Buscaglia". The Buffalo News (BH Media Group, LLC). Retrieved April 20, 2015.

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Monday, May 02, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.