Start TV

Start TV. Start TV is an American digital multicast network owned by Weigel Broadcasting. Launched in September 2018, the network's programming is dedicated to dramatic series aimed at a female audience, with a focus on procedurals featuring strong female leads. It is available nationwide through a combination of broadcast affiliates and multichannel television providers.

History

Start TV was launched on September 3, 2018, by Weigel Broadcasting, a company with a long history in Chicago-area broadcasting and the operation of classic television networks like MeTV. The launch was part of a broader trend of digital subchannel networks carving out specific demographic niches, similar to strategies employed by Scripps with Court TV and Bounce TV. The network's creation was announced in July 2018, with initial clearances on stations owned by CBS Television Stations and the Tegna group, leveraging existing relationships from Weigel's other networks. The original programming lineup was curated by veteran television executive Neal Sabin, who also oversaw content for Decades. Since its launch, the network has expanded its affiliate base significantly across the United States, becoming one of the more prominent female-targeted networks in the broadcast syndication landscape.

Programming

The programming strategy centers on acquired procedural drama series that feature prominent female protagonists, often drawn from the crime drama and legal drama genres. Its schedule includes popular series such as *Ally McBeal*, *The Closer*, *Cold Case*, *Crossing Jordan*, *Ghost Whisperer*, *Medium*, *Rizzoli & Isles*, and *Strong Medicine*. The network also airs select series with strong ensemble casts led by women, including *Army Wives* and *The Good Wife*. Programming blocks are often themed, such as "Mystery Mondays" or "True Crime Tuesdays," and the network occasionally incorporates made-for-television films that fit its brand. Unlike some competing networks, Start TV does not currently produce original series but focuses on curating and presenting established off-network content. Its on-air presentation includes interstitial content that highlights the themes of female empowerment and resilience central to its selected shows.

Affiliates

Start TV is carried primarily on the digital subchannels of local television stations across the United States. At launch, it secured significant distribution through stations owned by major groups like CBS Television Stations and Tegna, often appearing on their .2 or .3 subchannel slots. The network has since expanded to include affiliates from other large station owners such as the E. W. Scripps Company, Gray Television, Nexstar Media Group, and Sinclair Broadcast Group. In many markets, Start TV shares a channel space with another Weigel network, such as Movies! or H&I, through a multiplex arrangement. Its national feed is also distributed to cable, satellite, and IPTV providers, ensuring wide availability. The network's affiliate map covers all major designated market areas, including New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Dallas-Fort Worth.

Availability

The network is available free over-the-air via digital tuners in markets where a local affiliate broadcasts its signal. For pay television subscribers, Start TV is carried on various platforms including Comcast, Spectrum, DirecTV, Dish Network, Verizon Fios, and YouTube TV. Its national feed is also accessible on streaming platforms like Frndly TV and Philo, catering to virtual MVPD audiences. The network does not currently offer a standalone direct-to-consumer streaming app, relying instead on its broadcast and carriage partner distribution. Signal availability can vary by region, dependent on the broadcast reach of the local affiliate station and the carriage agreements with multiple-system operators in that area.

Reception

Since its launch, Start TV has been received as a successful niche player within the crowded multicast network field. Industry analysts from *Variety* and *Broadcasting & Cable* have noted its clear brand identity and effective curation of proven series, which has helped it secure consistent carriage. The network has performed well in Nielsen ratings for its daypart among the key demographic of women 25-54, often competing with or surpassing established basic cable networks in certain time slots. Its programming strategy has been praised for providing a dedicated destination for fans of specific procedural genres. The network's success has contributed to the broader business model viability of digital subchannel networks, demonstrating that targeted, genre-specific content can attract a loyal audience in the fragmented modern media landscape overseen by the Federal Communications Commission.

Category:American television networks Category:2018 establishments in the United States Category:Weigel Broadcasting Category:English-language television networks in the United States