Laff (TV network)

Laff
Type Digital multicast television network
Country United States
Availability Nationwide via Over the air digital TV (covering 85% 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
Storr Media
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
www.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 Laff used direct response advertising as a meter of viewers before switching to Nielsen rating C-3 in late 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).[11][13]

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 airing on Laff as of June 5, 2017.[14]

E/I

As of 2017, Laff's E/I liabilities are handled by Litton Entertainment, the same provider used by the major networks.

Future Programming
Former Programming

Affiliates

As of 31 July 2017, Laff has current or pending affiliation agreements with television stations in 126 media markets encompassing 43 states and Puerto Rico (including stations in the top 13 markets), covering 75% of the United States.[16]

Charter affiliates included all 8 ABC Owned Television Stations and 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][9]

List of current affiliates

This is the current list of affiliates for Laff as of July 31, 2017.

City of license/market Station Virtual
channel
[16]
Primary affiliation Owner Date of affiliation on station[4] Notes
Birmingham WUOA-LD 46.1 - DTV America Corporation July 1, 2016
Dothan WDHN 18.3 ABC Nexstar Media Group September 1, 2016
Mobile WALA-TV 10.3 Fox Meredith Corporation February 13, 2017
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 KNWA-TV 51.4 NBC Nexstar Media Group September 19, 2016
Little Rock KARK-TV 4.2 August 23, 2016
Bakersfield KGET-TV 17.4 NBC Nexstar Media Group September 26, 2016
Fresno KFSN-TV 30.3 ABC ABC Owned Television Stations April 15, 2015
Los Angeles KABC-TV 7.3
KHIZ-LD 39.2 Escape DTV America Corporation November 1, 2016
Sacramento KMAX-TV 31.2 The CW CBS Corporation August 5, 2017
San Diego KGTV 10.3 ABC E. W. Scripps Company April 15, 2015
San FranciscoOakland
San Jose
KGO-TV 7.3 ABC Owned Television Stations
Santa Barbara KSBY 6.3 NBC Cordillera Communications July 26, 2016
Denver KMGH-TV 7.3 ABC E. W. Scripps Company April 15, 2015
Grand Junction KREX-TV 5.2 CBS Nexstar Media Group September 13, 2016
HartfordNew Haven WFSB 3.3 CBS Meredith Corporation April 15, 2015[8]
Fort MyersNaples WFTX-TV 36.3 Fox E.W. Scripps Company September 1, 2015
MiamiFt. Lauderdale WLTV-DT 23.4 Univision Univision Communications
Orlando WFTV 9.2 ABC Cox Media Group[7] April 15, 2015
Panama City WMBB 13.4 Nexstar Media Group September 15, 2016
Sarasota WSNN-LD 39.3 Independent/
All-news
Citadel Communications April 15, 2015
TampaSt. 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 - DTV America Corporation TBD
Macon WMGT-TV 41.5 NBC Morris Multimedia October 18, 2016
Honolulu KIKU 20.3 Independent NRJ TV, LLC August 17, 2016
Boise KIVI-TV 6.2 ABC E.W. Scripps Company July 1, 2015
Twin Falls KSAW-LD 6.2 Low-power repeater of KIVI-TV
Chicago WLS-TV 7.3 ABC ABC Owned Television Stations April 15, 2015
Peoria WMBD-TV 31.3 CBS Nexstar Media Group September 15, 2016
Rockford WTVO 17.3 ABC Mission Broadcasting
(operated through LMA by Nexstar Media Group)
September 1, 2016
SpringfieldChampaign WCIX 49.4 MyNetworkTV Nexstar Media Group August 23, 2016
Evansville WEHT 25.2 ABC Nexstar Media Group August 23, 2016
Indianapolis WRTV 6.3 E. W. Scripps Company April 15, 2015
Terre Haute WTWO 2.2 NBC Nexstar Media Group August 23, 2016
Burlington-Davenport KGCW 26.3 The CW Nexstar Media Group August 30, 2016
Des Moines WOI-DT 5.2 ABC August 24, 2016
Sioux City KCAU-TV 9.4 September 7, 2016
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
Alexandria WNTZ-TV 48.4 Fox Nexstar Media Group September 2, 2016
Baton Rouge WVLA-TV 33.2 NBC White Knight Broadcasting
(operated through LMA by Nexstar Media Group)
August 30, 2016
Lafayette K18JF-D 18 DrTV DTV America Corporation Launch Date Expected Mid-Late 2017. Currently Off Air until late 2017
New Orleans KGLA-DT 42.2 Telemundo Mayavision May 22, 2017
Shreveport KTAL-TV 6.2 NBC Nexstar Media Group September 15, 2016
West Monroe KTVE 10.3 September 12, 2016
Portland WPME 35.3 MyNetworkTV Ironwood Communications November 7, 2016
Baltimore WMAR-TV 2.2 ABC E. W. Scripps Company April 15, 2015
Salisbury WGDV-LD 32.5 Azteca Marquee Broadcasting October 1, 2016
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[17] 8.3 NBC Nexstar Media Group December 18, 2015
Marquette WJMN-TV 3.3 CBS September 13, 2016
Mankato-St. James K35KI-D 35.1 - Cooperative Television July 3, 2017
Minneapolis-St. Paul KMBD-LD 43.3 Bounce TV DTV America Corporation April 2, 2016
Joplin KSNF 16.2 NBC Nexstar Media Group August 25, 2016
Kansas City KSHB-TV 41.3 E. W. Scripps Company April 15, 2015
St. Louis KBGU-LP 33.4 Buzzr DTV America Corporation January 4, 2016
Springfield KOLR 10.2 CBS Mission Broadcasting
(operated through LMA by Nexstar Media Group)
August 20, 2016
Billings KHMT 4.2 Fox Mission Broadcasting
(operated through LMA by Nexstar Media Group)
September 2, 2016
Lincoln KLKN 8.4 ABC Citadel Communications April 15, 2015
Omaha KMTV-TV 3.2 CBS E.W. Scripps Company October 26, 2015
Las Vegas KTNV-TV 13.2 ABC E.W. Scripps Company[18] July 1, 2015
Middletown Township
(New York City)
WJLP 33.2 MeTV Press Communications January 5, 2017
Albuquerque-Santa Fe KWBQ[17] 19.3 The CW Tamer Media, LLC
(operated under an SSA by Nexstar Media Group)
January 11, 2016
Roswell KRWB 21.3
Albany WXXA-TV[17] 23.3 Fox Shield Media, LLC
(operated through SSA by Nexstar Media Group)
December 25, 2015
Binghamton WIVT 34.3 ABC Nexstar Media Group September 19, 2016
Buffalo WKBW-TV 7.2 E. W. Scripps Company April 28, 2015[19] 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.[20]
Elmira WETM-TV 18.3 NBC Nexstar Media Group September 1, 2016
New York City WABC-TV 7.3 ABC ABC Owned Television Stations April 15, 2015[6]
Rochester WROC-TV 8.3 CBS Nexstar Media Group August 20, 2016
Syracuse WSYR-TV 9.4 ABC August 25, 2016
Utica WFXV 33.3 Fox September 3, 2016
Watertown WWTI 50.3 ABC August 27, 2016
Charlotte WAXN-TV 64.4 Independent Cox Media Group June 1, 2017
RaleighDurham WTVD 11.3 ABC ABC Owned Television Stations April 15, 2015
Wilmington WADA-LD 18.1 - DTV America Corporation January 4, 2016
Bismarck KXMB-TV 12.3 CBS Nexstar Media Group September 13, 2016
Dickinson KXMA-TV 2.3 The CW
FargoGrand Forks KRDK-TV 4.8 Cozi TV Major Market Broadcasting April 15, 2015
Minot KXMC-TV 13.3 CBS Nexstar Media Group September 13, 2016
Williston KXMD-TV 11.3
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[17] 19.3 Fox Nexstar Media Group December 31, 2015
Tulsa KJRH-TV 2.3 NBC E. W. Scripps Company April 15, 2015
Portland KPTV 12.3 Fox Meredith Corporation October 8, 2015[8]
Altoona-Johnstown WTAJ-TV 10.3 CBS Nexstar Media Group August 26, 2016
Erie WJET-TV 24.2 ABC August 28, 2016
Philadelphia WPVI-TV 6.3 ABC Owned Television Stations April 15, 2015
Pittsburgh WPXI 11.3 NBC Cox Media Group June 1, 2015[7]
Scranton WBRE-TV 28.2 Nexstar Media Group August 27, 2016
San Juan W44CV-D 44.2 FamilyNet TV Red Puerto Rico February 13, 2017
Providence WNAC-TV[17] 64.3 Fox Super Towers, Inc.
(operated through LMA by Nexstar Media Group)
February 29, 2016
Jackson WJKT 16.3 Fox Nexstar Media Group September 8, 2016
WHJK-LD 20.2 Escape DTV America Corporation TBD
Johnson CityKingsport WKPT-TV 19.3 Cozi TV Glenwood Communications Corporation January 30, 2017[21]
Knoxville WATE-TV[17] 6.3 ABC Nexstar Media Group January 10, 2016
Memphis WATN-TV 24.2 August 29, 2016
Nashville WTVF 5.3 CBS E.W. Scripps Company[18] September 20, 2015
Abilene KRBC-TV 9.3 NBC Mission Broadcasting
(operated through LMA by Nexstar Media Group)
August 25, 2016
Amarillo KAMR-TV 4.3 Nexstar Media Group
Austin KNVA 54.3 The CW Vaughan Media, LLC
(operated through LMA by Nexstar Media Group)
January 29, 2016
DallasFort Worth KUVN-DT 23.4 Univision Univision Communications August 4, 2015
El Paso KTSM-TV 9.4 NBC Nexstar Media Group September 13, 2016
Houston KTRK-TV 13.3 ABC ABC Owned Television Stations April 15, 2015
KEHO-LD 32.3 Altavision DTV America Corporation October 26, 2016
Lubbock KLBK-TV 13.2 CBS Nexstar Media Group August 20, 2016
KMYL-LD 14.2 MyNetworkTV Ramar Communications June 1, 2015
Midland-Odessa KMID 2.2 ABC Nexstar Media Group September 26, 2016
San Angelo KSAN-TV 3.3 NBC Mission Broadcasting
(operated through LMA by Nexstar Media Group)
August 25, 2016
San Antonio KNIC-DT 17.4 UniMás Univision Communications September 1, 2015
Tyler KFXK-TV 51.4 Fox White Knight Broadcasting
(operated through LMA by Nexstar Media Group)
September 15, 2016
Waco KYLE-TV 28.4 MyNetworkTV Nexstar Media Group September 2, 2016
Wichita Falls KFDX-TV 3.3 NBC September 1, 2016
Salt Lake City KTMW 20.4 Telemundo Serestar Communications October 7, 2015
KTVX 4.3 ABC Nexstar Media Group September 2, 2016
Burlington WVNY 22.2 ABC Mission Broadcasting
(operated through LMA by Nexstar Media Group)
August 23, 2016
Lynchburg-Roanoke WWCW 21.3 The CW Nexstar Media Group August 30, 2016
Norfolk-Hampton Roads WSKY-TV 4.3 Independent Lockwood Broadcast Group November 16, 2015
Seattle KIRO-TV 7.3 CBS Cox Media Group April 15, 2015[7]
Clarksburg WBOY-TV 12.4 NBC Nexstar Media Group September 15, 2016
Huntington-Charleston WOWK-TV 13.3 CBS September 1, 2016
Eau Claire-La Crosse WLAX 25.3 Fox Nexstar Media Group August 30, 2016
Green Bay WGBA-TV 26.3 NBC E.W. Scripps Company[18] August 11, 2015
Milwaukee WTMJ-TV 4.2 September 28, 2015

List of former affiliates

City of license/market Station Virtual
channel
[16]
Primary affiliation at the time Owner Dates of affiliation[4] Notes
Fayetteville KFLU-LD 20.4 Bounce TV DTV America Corporation September 19 - October 26, 2016 Replaced by Infomercials, now airing Tuff TV
Jonesboro KPMF-LD 26.3 Escape June 23 - October 26, 2016 Replaced by Comet
Sacramento KAHC-LD 43.1 - DTV America Corporation July 20 - November 13, 2016 Replaced by ASN and the Laff affiliation moved to KMAX-TV's newly launched second digital subchannel after an 8 1/2 month absence.
Jacksonville WKBJ-LD 20.4 Buzzr DTV America Corporation February 17 - November 13, 2016 Replaced by Infomercials, now airing Tuff TV
Savannah WDID-LP 26.1 - Regal Media January 4 - August 20, 2016 License cancelled by the Federal Communications Commission on February 16, 2017.
Charlotte WSOC-TV 9.2 ABC Cox Media Group April 15, 2015 - June 1, 2017 Replaced by Telemundo and the Laff affiliation moved to WAXN-TV's newly launched fourth digital subchannel.
GreensboroWinston-Salem
High Point
WCWG 20.3 The CW Lockwood Broadcast Group June 1, 2015 - July 30, 2017 WCWG sold its spectrum for $105,731,122 and indicated that it would enter into a post-auction channel sharing agreement, resulting in the station dropping the network.
Oklahoma City KBZC-LD 42.2 Bounce TV DTV America Corporation July 26 - November 13, 2016 Replaced by Infomercials, now airing Tuff TV
Charleston WBSE-LP 20.1 - DTV America Corporation January 4 - December 13, 2016
Johnson City-Kingsport WAPK-CD 36.3 MeTV Glenwood Communications Corporation April 30, 2016 - January 29, 2017 Replaced by Bounce TV and the Laff affiliation moved to WKPT-TV's third digital subchannel.
Amarillo KAUO-LD 15.3 Bounce TV DTV America Corporation June 23 - October 26, 2016 Replaced by Infomercials, now airing Tuff TV
Waco KZCZ-LD 34.2 September 12 - October 26, 2016 Replaced by Comet
Charleston-Huntington WTZP-LD 50.3 Cozi TV Eagle Broadcasting Group December 1, 2015 - March 5, 2017 Replaced by Buzzr

References

  1. Buckman, Adam (July 26, 2016). "Diginets Keep Growing, Despite Auction Cloud". TVNewsCheck. NewsCheck Media. Retrieved November 7, 2016.
  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 3 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 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. 1 2 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-05-22-17-thru-06-25-17.pdf. Retrieved 24 May 2017. 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 3 "Stations for Network - Laff". RabbitEars. Retrieved December 10, 2015.
  17. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Lafayette, Jon (November 16, 2015). "Media General, Tribune to Carry Katz Diginets". Broadcasting & Cablle. Retrieved February 4, 2016.
  18. 1 2 3 Lafayette, Jon (May 18, 2015). "Scripps Stations to Launch Grit and Escape Networks". Broadcasting & Cable. NewBay Media, LLC. Retrieved February 3, 2016.
  19. 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.
  20. 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.
  21. Hayes, Hank (January 30, 2017). "Holston Valley Broadcasting goes all-in on nostalgic TV". Kingsport Times-News. Retrieved January 30, 2017.
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