New Over-The-Air Broadcast Comedy TV Network Coming To Detroit's Lineup

With cable costs rising, there are more and more so-called “cord cutters” who rely on over-the-air broadcast HDTV and a mix of services such as Netflix. But one thing you might miss on that schedule is comedy programming.

The country’s first-ever, over-the-air broadcast television network devoted to comedy around-the-clock could help change that.

LAFF will debut on April 15, 2015.

The network will feature a mix of contemporary off-network sitcoms and popular theatrical motion pictures, with a target audience of adults 18-49.  Not only will it be on your TV as a subchannel, but there will also be content at LAFF.com and via the LAFF app.

The initial distribution agreements with ABC  and E.W. Scripps stations will make LAFF available to more than 35% of the country, with more distribution additions expected to be announced soon. That means here in Detroit, it will be available in Detroit thanks to WXYZ-TV, an E.W. Scripps property.

“The ABC Owned Television Stations and E.W. Scripps Company stations are among the strongest players in their DMAs, which include the biggest markets in the country.  We are thrilled and proud to have these two preeminent groups as our charter distribution partners for LAFF,” said Katz Broadcasting Chief Distribution Officer Jeffrey Wolf. “We look forward to welcoming more station groups to the LAFF family.”

Katz Broadcasting is a young, rapidly expanding media company that thinks the over-the-air TV market of today is like the early days of cable. LAFF is the third network for Katz and joins GRIT, the first broadcast network targeting men, and ESCAPE, the first over-the-air network designed for women.

WXYZ recently acquired WMYD-TV 20 here in Detroit.