Newsmax TV has signed a distribution deal with DirecTV and is accelerating toward a national launch that expects to reach 40 percent of U.S. cable and satellite homes by the end of this year.
Newsmax TV also plans a major OTT platform rollout, with penetration estimated in excess of 100 million iOS and Android smart devices.
Newsmax Media CEO Christopher Ruddy said that the company will begin its soft launch in mid-June through DirecTV on its most penetrated residential and commercial packages, reaching more than 20 million subscribers. Newsmax expects to announce additional distribution deals in the near future.
Newsmax TV will provide independent news with a mainstream conservative tilt, while offering a balanced perspective and open to all points of view. More than just a politically focused channel, Newsmax TV will provide a full range of informational programming and lifestyle content for Boomers in the areas of health, finance, and personal well-being.
“The agreement we have signed with DirecTV marks a significant milestone for Newsmax TV as we prepare for a national launch this summer. Our launch will benefit from the existing Newsmax.com audience that is already in place, will naturally be drawn to our brand of news, features and useful information and consists of one of the highest concentrations of baby boomers on the web,” Ruddy said. “We will immediately plug into that audience to participate in the development and the evolution of the channel prior to a national launch.”
In addition to planned cable and satellite distribution, the new channel will be available via a wide range of “TV Everywhere” platforms just as the crucial 2014 midterm election coverage commences.
“Newsmax was born online and as the lines between TV and the web blur, we will attract a growing audience that doesn’t differentiate between the two. As a result, we are also well positioned to maximize the opportunities provided by ‘TV Everywhere’ platforms to reach tens of millions of Americans,” Ruddy said.
The Newsmax TV channel will build on and benefit from an array of Newsmax Media multimedia assets, which include:
The Newsmax Feed Network, now carried on approximately 2,000 websites with 1 billion page views monthly;
Top ranked websites like Newsmax.com, Newsmaxhealth.com, and Moneynews.com which draw close to 14 million unique monthly visitors, including more than 4 million opt-in email news alert subscribers.
With headquarters in West Palm Beach and Boca Raton, Fla., and additional studios in New York, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles, Newsmax TV will initially launch with nine hours of original programming. The schedule will expand to 18 hours by year’s end with an emphasis on practical, useful information that is relevant to the lives of a large, under-served adult audience.
Its wide array of compelling alternative content will include:
News: A national network of top journalists providing credible, useful information on the latest developments throughout the U.S. and around the world;
Politics: Thoughtful, straightforward reporting and analysis on the latest from Washington, D.C., with a mix of news and conversation. Key lawmakers and legislators from across the political spectrum will be regular contributors to Newsmax TV reports, as they have been on the Newsmax website;
Personal Finance: Wall Street insiders and other top financial analysts will provide helpful, original perspectives on the markets and the latest trends in investing
Health: Highly regarded doctors and medical experts will keep Newsmax TV viewers informed about newest treatment options, updates in medicine and relevant tips on leading a healthy life;
Entertainment: All the news about key developments in Hollywood, Newsmax TV will keep audiences informed on everything that is going on in front of and behind the cameras and across all screens.
In addition to finalizing its initial round of daily programming, Newsmax Media will soon announce select programming deals along with key Newsmax TV executive appointments to advertising sales, distribution, production and operational management positions.
Founded in 1998, Newsmax Media is a privately held news-focused media organization. In addition to being the parent company that is launching Newsmax TV nationally, its media holdings and products include The Newsmax Feed Network, Newsmax.com, Moneynews.com, Newsmaxhealth.com, Newsmax Magazine and more than a dozen health and financial online and print newsletters.
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