Tegna said it has reached an exclusive, multi-year distribution agreement with Sony Pictures Television for the station group’s programming in the U.S. and abroad.
Under the terms of the deal, SPT will distribute all Tegna owned first-run programming, including the new series “Daily Blast Live” (“DBL”), as well as future development. The programming partnership will collectively launch shows to air on Tegna stations, with the goal of increasing their national footprint in broadcast and cable. SPT will also act as the exclusive advertising sales representative for national barter and integrations, and will retain the right to market and promote the programs in all media.
Tegna has about 46 television stations in 38 markets.
“It’s a one-of-a-kind agreement, where Tegna and Sony Pictures Television each bring distinct strengths to the new partnership,” said Tegna SVP for programming Robert Sullivan in a statement. “With ‘Daily Blast Live’ and other programs in our creative pipeline, together with Sony’s expertise in the three key areas of sales, development and distribution, we look forward to expanding our list of available content for Tegna stations and beyond.”
DBL currently airs live in every time zone each weekday in 36 Tegna-owned markets across the country and on Facebook and YouTube. The program features content trending in real-time from television, digital and social media platforms. The deal also includes Tegna’s “Sister Circle,” a daily talk show targeting an adult, African American TV audience, and “Sing Like A Star,” a singing competition program.
“Tegna is a first-class broadcasting company with forward-thinking, digital and programming initiatives,” said SPT president of distribution John Weiser in a statement. “We are proud to have been selected as their partner and to represent Tegna’s shows in the marketplace.”
