Jonathan Katz, who launched Bounce TV, rebooted Court TV and sold his digital over-the-air startup to E.W. Scripps, has resigned from Scripps to start a new company.

Also Read: Jonathan Katz Sees Technology Creating Opportunities in the TV Business

Katz Networks has been a pioneer in starting digital over-the-air networks, and when Scripps paid $302 million million for the company in 2017, that signaled that it was a serious business. 

In addition to Bounce and Court TV, Katz Networks also runs Grit, Laff, Court TV Mystery and two networks launched July 1: Defy TV and TrueReal. 

Last year Katz Networks generated $257.5 million in revenue, up 13.4%. Along with Ion Media, purchased by Scripps this year, the Katz Networks are now part of Scripps Networks,  the TV-station owner’s new national networks division.

Scripps is not the only broadcaster looking to profit from their secondary digital channels. For example, Sinclair Broadcast Group has Comet, Charge and TBD and Tegna bought Quest and Justice for $77 million in 2019 and launched Twist in January.

Katz told Broadcasting+Cable he’s leaving Scripps to return to being an entrepreneur. “I do plan on creating a new company and just like the Katz Networks, that new company will start with the consumer,” he said. “It’s a lesson that I have certainly learned that success and scale are always driven by delighting consumers and serving their needs. And that is my plan.”

He declined to say when the new company will launch or exactly what business it will be in.

Katz said he was grateful to Scripps for investing in his company and subsequently buying it. “I enjoyed being part of the world-class team at Scripps,” he  said. 

“The company has been extremely profitable, growing double digits every year for Scripps,” he added. “I look forward to working in the same space and who knows? Maybe be partners again, someday.”

When Scripps formed its national network division by combining Katz Networks, Ion Media and Newsy, it named former CFO Lisa Knutson as president of Scripps Networks. Katz was named COO and head of entertainment for the National Networks unit, reporting to Knutson.

Katz said that at that point he hadn’t decided to leave Scripps. But he said “Lisa is brilliant and is so well-rounded from her experience at Scripps leading up to her becoming CFO and now president of the Networks division, There is simply no one better to help lead that segment for Scripps.”

In an email to staff, Knutson said “it is with regret that I share that Jonathan Katz has decided to leave us.”

She credited him with growing Katz Networks and helping to make Scripps Networks a leader in free TV.

“Jonathan has been a tremendous partner in getting the Scripps Networks business launched as well as hiring and promoting terrific people. The division is in great shape financially and organizationally, and we have built a strong foundation for our ongoing growth and success,” Knutson said.

Katz started his career with various programming, advertising, promotion, publicity, production and news positions at stations in Tuscaloosa, Birmingham, Charlotte and Tampa over 14 years. 

He moved to CNN as VP, marketing for CNN Newsource. He was senior VP and general manager for worldwide program planning and acquisition for Turner Broadcasting until 2009, and then started Bounce TV with Andrew Young and Martin Luther King III.

The E.W. Scripps Co. said it will start moving its Katz digital multicast networks on March 1 to the TV stations it acquired when it bought Ion Media.

Also Read: Scripps Goes National By Buying Ion for $2.65 Billion

Scripps also announced that it is cutting 120 jobs across its corporate and national networks units. The company said it expects to realize $500 million in cost savings over the next six years by combining Ion’s operations with its own.

The Ion Television Network will continue to be broadcast on the primary channel of Scripps’ 48 Ion station, but the company said it will shut down Ion Plus, Qubo and Shop Ion, which had been airing on multicast channels, effective Feb. 28.

Also Read: Burgess Ponders What He’ll Do After Selling Ion Media

One of the reasons Scripps bought Ion Media for $2.65 billion in September was so it could stop paying stations to broadcast the Katz Network, which are Bounce, Court TV, Court TV Mystery, Grit and Laff.

Also Read: No Retrans, No Problem for Scripps’ Ion Deal

“The distribution expansion of the Scripps multicast networks through ION’s broadcast spectrum is the first major step in our realizing the tremendous synergies of the ION transaction,” said Scripps CEO Adam Symson. “National Networks president Lisa Knutson and her team are working quickly and effectively to uphold Scripps’ commitment to executing our plan. Once again, Scripps is doing what we said we would do.” 

Scripps closed its purchase of Ion earlier this month.

The E.W. Scripps Co. said it closes its previously announced acquisition of Ion Media Networks from Diamond Capital Management LLC.

Also Read: Scripps Goes National By Buying Ion for $2.65 Billion

Ion will become part of Scripps’ new ad-supported national networks business that will also include its Katz Networks and Newsy.

Scripps said the $2.65 billion deal was financed with $800 million in terms loans, $550 million in secured notes, $500 million of unsecured notes, a $600 million investment from Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway and cash from Ion’s balance sheet.

Scripps said it has sold 23 of the Ion affiliated TV stations to INYO Broadcast Holdings. Scripps now owns 60 stations in 41 markets.

Black Diamond said that during the 11 years it owned Ion, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization rose to more than $300 million from $33 million.

Also Read: Burgess Ponders What He’ll Do After Selling Ion Media

“This is a historic and transformational moment for Scripps that strengthens our leadership position in broadcasting and accelerates our multiplatform strategy to serve diverse audiences everywhere they seek to be informed and entertained,” said Scripps president and CEO Adam Symson. “Bringing our networks together with Ion will create a formidable national television business focused on connecting with audiences and advertisers in the rapidly evolving media landscape while fueling our company’s future growth.”

Read Also: E.W. Scripps Taps Katz Execs for National Networks Group

The new national networks business will be led by Lisa Knutson, president, national networks, and previously Scripps’ chief financial officer. Jonathan Katz, who headed Katz Networks, will be COO.

The E.W. Scripps Co., building its national networks business, said it named three executives--Brad Samuels, Damian Riordan and Yvonne Haugh--to new distribution posts.

Also Read: Scripps Goes National By Buying Ion for $2.65 Billion

The executives come from Katz Networks, Ion and Newsy, the three businesses that comprise Scripps’ national networks unit. They will all report to Jeffrey Wolf, the Katz exec recently appointed chief distribution officer for the national networks businesses.

Haugh was appointed VP, distribution and affiliate relations, overseeing all operations relatied to distribution and affilaite relations including contract management and operations. She was most recently senior VP, marketing and affiliate relations and chief of staff for Katz Networks. Earlier, she spent 23 years at Turner Broadcasting.

Samuels was named VP, distribution partnerships and strategy and will lead efforts to distribute the networks across pay TV, OTT connected TV and other platforms. Samuels, a 30 year TV distribution veteran, was most recently VP, distribution for Newsy.

Riordan was named VP, broadcast distribution and will develop and maintain partnerships with broadcast partners. He had been senior VP, broadcast relations for Ion Media, which Scripps is in the process of acquiring.

“The opportunity ahead for the new Scripps networks is incredible, and I’m proud to partner with this deeply experienced team on setting and executing distribution strategies that will help our programming engage viewers in every corner of the U.S.,” said Wolf. “Our partnerships with broadcasters, streaming services and other distributors is key to our success, and the broad range of experiences that Yvonne, Damian and Brad bring to the table will help Scripps shape the next era of television.”

The new posts become effective when Scripps’ acquisition of Ion closes.

The E.W. Scripps Co., filling out the executive ranks for its new national TV networks business, named Jeffrey Wolf to head distribution and put Mark Gray in charge of station operations.

Scripps national TV networks business includes the Katz Networks, where Wolf and Gray work, Newsy and Ion Media, when that acquisition is completed.

Also Read: Scripps Goes National By Buying Ion for $2.65 Billion

On Thursday, Katz Networks CEO Jonathan Katz was named COO and head of entertainment for the Scripps national TV networks group. Scripps acquired Katz Networks--which include Bounce, Grit and Court TV-- in 2017.

Jonathan Katz, Wolf and Gray will all report to Lisa Knutson, who was named head of the national networks group, effective with the close of the Ion Deal.

Wolf is currently in charge of distribution for the Katz networks and the streaming service Brown Sugar. Before joining Katz, Wolf was with Sony Pictures Television.

Gray is currently head of network operations for Katz. He has spent nearly 40 years in operations, production, programming creative services and station management jobs in the broadcast business.

The E.W. Scripps Co. named Jonathan Katz chief operating officer and head of entertainment for its new national television networks business.

Katz, who is head of Scripps' Katz Networks unit, will have additional oversight of revenue, research, marketing and programming for the entire portfolio of Scripps’ national networks. 

Also Read: Scripps Goes National By Buying Ion for $2.65 Billion

Scripps’ national networks business consists of the Katz Networks--Bounce, Laff, Grit, Court TV--Newsy and the soon-to-be acquired Ion Media.

Also Read: Burgess Ponders What He’ll Do After Selling Ion Media

Katz will report to Lisa Knutson, who was previously named to lead Scripps' National Neworks. He founded Katz Networks, which was acquired by Scripps in 2017.

“With his many years of experience in launching, growing and expanding some of the country’s most-watched networks and leading best-in-class teams to fuel growth and innovation, Jonathan has proven time and time again his ability to anticipate and super-serve consumers’ diverse and evolving interests,” said Knutson. “Jonathan is a tremendous asset to Scripps as we bring our national networks businesses together to capture the momentum of over-the-air audience growth and multiplatform TV viewing.”

Before starting Katz Networks, Katz was senior VP and general manager of program planning and acquisitions for Turner Entertainment Networks. Before that he was VP of marketing for CNN Newsource. He began his career with local stations in Tampa, Charlotte, Birmingham and Tuscaloosa.

Digital broadcast comedy network Laff is adding the sitcom How I Met Your Mother to its lineup.

Laff, part of the E.W. Scripps Co.’s Katz Broadcasting unit, plans a two-day Labor Day weekend marathon to launch the show. Episodes will run from 8 a.m. through midnight on Sept. 6 and Sept. 8. 

How I Met Your Mother will get slapped into its regular time slot on Sept. 8, with episodes airing from 9 p.m. to midnight.

The show ran for nine seasons on CBS from 2005 to 2014. It stars Josh Radnor, Jason Segel, Alyson Hannigan, Cobie Smulders and Neil Patrick Harris and is narrated by Bob Saget. 

Laff will be showing all 208 episodes.

HIMYM joins a Laff lineup that also includes Home Improvement, That ‘70s Show, 3rd Rock from the Sun, According to Jim and Night Court.

Bounce is ramping up the star power with the new original series coming to the network.

At its summer press tour session Tuesday, Bounce, part of the E.W. Scripps Co.’s Katz Networks unit, said Cedric the Entertainer, D.L. Hughley, Vivica A. Fox, Mark Curry and Kim Coles will be a part of original Bounce programming.

Cedric the Entertainer will be a producer on the new series called Johnson, which looks at a group of life-long best friends who are all named Johnson. Comedian D.L. Hughley will be part of an ensemble cast in the series, which looks at the world from the perspective of being Black men.

Vivica A. Fox headlines Secrets of the Salon, a show that looks at the lives, loves and gossip emanating from an Atlanta hair salon. The series comes from Swirl Films, which also makes Bounce’s Saints and Sinners.

Dying to Be Famous: The Ryan Singleton Mystery is Bounce’s first true-crime docuseries and looks at the death of a 24-year-old aspiring model and film producer whose body was dumped in the Mojave Desert after being mutilated and having its organs removed.

Bounce also said it acquired the special Killing Michael Jackson, which will air Sept. 7 at 8 p.m. The special features the detectives involved in the investigation that led to the arrest of Jackson’s doctor Conrad Murray.

Returning Bounce programming includes barbershop comedy In The Cut. Mark Curry and Kim Coles are joining the cast this season. 

Also coming back to Bounce are Saints & Sinners, with a first ever S&S movie scheduled for first quarter of 2021, Family Time, and the Trumpet Awards, recognizing the outstanding accomplishments of African Americans.

Katz Networks said that Court TV will be launching a new original series Judgment with Ashleigh Banfield on Sept. 13. The hour-long show will take viewers on a deep dive into provocative cases such as Casey Anthony and O.J. Simpson.

“It is wonderful being back on Court TV and I’m very excited about Judgment,” said Banfield. “We have the luxury of having access to the vast Court TV library of more than a thousand trials, which allows us to share and re-visit the most intriguing and legally fascinating cases in modern-day history. There are literally hundreds of compelling stories to tell - and we plan on telling them.”

Court TV will also be covering the trials of the Minnesota police officers accused of killing George Floyd. Other cases on Court TV include Georgia v. Gregory McMichael, Travis McMichael and William Bryan, the men accused of killing jogger Ahmaud Arbery, the case of the Doomsday Cult Mom, The Jinx murder trial of Robert Durst and The R. Kelly Sex Abuse Case.

"Given the current news climate in our country at the moment, there are trials ahead that represent some of the biggest, most critical and relevant cases we've seen in modern history," said Court TV senior VP Scott Tufts. "Court TV will be there, bringing viewers unrivaled access and insight into those cases as well as all the other compelling trials on the docket."

The National Cable Television Cooperative reached a multiyear affiliation deal with Katz Networks.

The agreement makes Katz’s networks: Bounce, Court TV, Court TV Mystery, Grit, Laff and streaming service Brown Sugar available to the 750 broadband and cable operators who are part of the NCTC.

“We’re thrilled to strike this agreement with NCTC and we look forward to building strong partnerships with their members,” said Jeffrey Wolf, Chief Distribution Officer, Katz Networks.

Katz. a division of the E.W. Scripps Co., operate mulit-platform networks that target specific demographics. Many of the networks were launched by TV stations as digital broadcast services, but more recently have been available via cable and streaming.

 The National Cable Television Cooperative reached a multi-year affiliation deal with Katz Networks.

The agreement makes Katz’s networks: Bounce, Court TV, Court TV Mystery, Grit, Laff and streaming service Brown Sugar available to the 750 broadband and cable operators who are part of the NCTC.

“We’re thrilled to strike this agreement with NCTC and we look forward to building strong partnerships with their members,” said Jeffrey Wolf, Chief Distribution Officer, Katz Networks.

Katz. a division of the E.W. Scripps Co., operate mulit-platform networks that target specific demographics. Many of the networks were launched by TV stations as digital broadcast services, but more recently have been available via cable and streaming.

Court TV is planning an original news special looking at the criminal justice system’s relationship with black Americans.

Black and Blue--A Court TV Special will debut June 22 and will be simulcast on all of the Katz Networks channels: Bounce, Court TV Mystery, Laff and Grit. Katz is a division of the E.W. Scripps Co. 

Court TV crime and justice reporter Julia Jenae will host the special, which will discuss high profile cases including Ahmaud Arbery, Michael Drejka, Eric Garner, Trayvon Martin and George Floyd, whose death at the hands of Minneapolis police on May 25 sparked nationwide protests.

Black and Blue will feature a discussion with David Otunga, Marissa Alexander, David Paul Butler, L Song Richardson and Tim Wise.