Bounce TV is an American digital broadcast television network owned by Scripps Networks, a subsidiary of the E. W. Scripps Company. It launched on September 26, 2011, and was promoted as "the first 24/7 digital multicast broadcast network created to target African Americans." The network features a mix of original and acquired programming geared toward African Americans between 25 and 54 years of age.
Overview
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | Digital broadcast television network (general entertainment programming) |
| Country | United States |
| Broadcast area | Nationwide via OTA digital television (81% U.S. coverage) |
| Headquarters | Atlanta, Georgia |
| Language | English |
| Picture format | 1080i (HDTV), downconverted to 480i |
| Owner | Scripps Networks, LLC (E. W. Scripps Company) |
| Parent | Bounce Media, LLC |
| Key people | Ryan Glover (president), Jonathan Katz (COO) |
| Launched | September 26, 2011 |
| Website | bouncetv.com |
History
Founding and Launch
The founding group included Martin Luther King III; former Atlanta mayor and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Andrew Young and his son Andrew "Bo" Young III; Rob Hardy; and Will Packer. Hardy and Packer are co-founders of Rainforest Films. Former Turner Broadcasting System executives Jonathan Katz and Ryan Glover spearheaded the network's creation. The name "Bounce TV" was chosen to signify that the network is "going somewhere with energy."
The network formally launched on September 26, 2011, at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time, with the 1978 musical film The Wiz as its inaugural broadcast, followed by A Raisin in the Sun and Do the Right Thing in primetime.
Scripps Ownership
On October 2, 2017, the E. W. Scripps Company purchased Bounce TV, along with Katz Broadcasting's three other networks, for $292 million. In 2019, Nielsen ratings indicated Bounce averaged 275,000 viewers in prime time. On April 23, 2024, it was reported that Scripps was exploring a sale of Bounce TV.
Programming
Bounce TV's programming is geared toward an African-American audience, primarily adults aged 25 to 54. The network features a mix of scripted series reruns, feature film telecasts, and original programming including comedies, dramas, documentaries, and specials.
Notable Original Programming
- Saints & Sinners (2016–2022) – Crime drama, 6 seasons
- Family Time (2012–2020) – Sitcom, 8 seasons
- Johnson (2021–2024) – Comedy drama, 4 seasons
- Act Your Age (2023) – Sitcom, 1 season
- Mind Your Business (2024–present) – Sitcom
Sports
Shortly before its launch, Bounce TV reached an agreement with the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) to broadcast HBCU football and basketball games. In 2015, the network began airing live boxing events from Premier Boxing Champions under the title PBC: The Next Round.
Affiliates
As of December 2014, Bounce TV had affiliation agreements in 43 media markets covering 73% of U.S. television households and 90% of African-American households. The network is available through digital subchannels of local television stations, select cable providers, Dish Network, DirecTV, and Frndly TV.
Brown Sugar
Bounce Media launched a companion subscription video-on-demand service called Brown Sugar on November 17, 2016. The service features 1970s-era blaxploitation films, including Blacula, Cleopatra Jones, Foxy Brown, The Mack, Super Fly, and Shaft.
