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| Type | Digital broadcast television network (game shows) |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Availability | Nationwide via OTA digital television (covering 37% of the U.S.)[1] |
| Founded | January 20, 2015 |
| Slogan | Let's Play |
| Parent |
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Key people
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Launch date
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June 1, 2015 [2] |
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Picture format
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480i (SDTV) |
| Affiliates | List of affiliates |
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Official website
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http://www.buzzrplay.com |
Buzzr (stylized as BUZZR) is an American digital multicast television network that is owned by FremantleMedia North America, a unit of the FremantleMedia subsidiary of RTL Group. The Buzzr TV subchannel is seen in 23 U.S. television markets. The network is sourcing its programming from the extensive library of classic game shows owned by FremantleMedia, which were once part of the Game Show Network's (GSN) programming lineup.[3][4][5] The network marks Fremantle's first entry into broadcasting.[2]
History[edit]
The Buzzr brand was first used by Fremantle for a YouTube channel created and produced by its digital content studio Tiny Riot, which debuted in late-2014. The Buzzr YouTube channel features classic clips, and short-form adaptations of its game show properties (such as Family Feud and Password), with internet celebrities as contestants, primarily aimed towards millennials.[4][6]
On January 20, 2015, FremantleMedia announced that it would launch Buzzr TV, a digital multicast network that would serve as an extension of the brand; the network, with the Fox Television Stations as its charter station group. Buzzr TV features classic game shows from the company's programming library.[7][8] Thom Beers, former CEO of FremantleMedia North America, stated his interest in launching a network centered around its game show content after he joined the company in 2012, calling such a project a "top priority" for Fremantle as a way to help monetize the value of its library. The company intended to focus Buzzr toward older adults, with Beers citing that the "old-format game shows are really, really hard [for the younger viewership that the Buzzr YouTube channel targets] to watch."[4]
The Buzzr television network debuted on June 1, 2015, with the launch preceded by a preview reel outlining its initial programming that aired in an eight-hour continuous loop, starting at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The network formally launched that evening at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time with the 1963 pilot episode of Let's Make a Deal as the first show to be broadcast.[2][9][10][11]
Programming[edit]
FremantleMedia's library of game shows, spanning 154 series and an estimated 40,000 episodes overall, serves as Buzzr's core programming.[12] The network's initial lineup – with series produced from the 1950s to 2000 – includes such programs as To Tell the Truth, Password, Family Feud (encompassing episodes beginning with Richard Dawson as host and dating up to John O'Hurley's tenure), Let's Make a Deal (from Monty Hall's runs as host), What's My Line?, I've Got a Secret, Beat the Clock, Card Sharks, and Match Game.[3][4][5] The Price Is Right may also be included as part of the network's schedule.[1]
The network also puts on promotional stunts surrounding holidays. Buzzr announced that on July 4, 2015 they would be airing episodes of Body Language, Match Game, Press Your Luck, Card Sharks, Super Password, and Password Plus that originally aired on the 4th of July in their respective years.[13]
From September 7-12, 2015, Buzzr aired a specialty block called "Buzzr Lost and Found".[14] This block featured rarely seen shows from FremantleMedia's library, including unaired pilots and short-lived shows.
Affiliates[edit]
As of July 2015[update], Buzzr has current subchannel affiliation agreements with television stations in 21 media markets encompassing 13 states and the District of Columbia, covering 40% of media markets in the United States.[15]
Fox Television Stations was announced as the network's initial affiliate group, airing Buzzr on 12 Fox owned-and-operated stations (including a satellite station of Orlando O&O WOFL, whose sister station WRBW serves as that market's affiliate) and five MyNetworkTV owned-and-operated stations. Buzzr has affiliates in nine of the 10 largest and 14 of the 20 largest U.S. television markets (including New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco and Dallas–Fort Worth), with an initial reach of 37% of U.S. television homes.[1][3][7] In four of the network's launch markets (New York City, Los Angeles, Dallas–Fort Worth, and Phoenix), Buzzr is affiliated with stations whose subchannels the network occupies were previously affiliated with Bounce TV; as a result of a March 2014 agreement with Univision Communications, Bounce TV moved its affiliations in those markets to Univision-owned stations in late May 2015, shortly before Buzzr launched.[16]
Debmar-Mercury (which serves as the distribution partner for the current syndicated run of the Fremantle-produced Family Feud) was hired by FremantleMedia to handle responsibility for the recruitment of affiliates through agreements with other broadcasting companies.[1][3][5][17] The network hopes to expand its charter affiliate footprint to reach markets covering 50 million U.S. households with at least one television set.[4]
List of current affiliates[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ a b c d Alex Ben Block (January 20, 2015). "Fox TV Stations to Air Classic Game Shows From Buzzr TV's Massive Library". The Hollywood Reporter (Guggenheim Digital Media). Retrieved January 23, 2015.
- ^ a b c d Joanna Padovano (April 14, 2015). "FremantleMedia North America Hires for Buzzr Channel". World Screen. WSN Inc. Retrieved April 15, 2015.
- ^ a b c d e "Fox O&Os Game For Latest Diginet: Buzzr TV". TVNewsCheck (NewsCheck Media). January 20, 2015. Retrieved January 23, 2015.
- ^ a b c d e Todd Spangler (February 10, 2015). "FremantleMedia Hits on ‘Buzzr’ YouTube Channel with Classic Game Show Reboots". Variety. Penske Media Corporation. Retrieved February 11, 2015.
- ^ a b c "Fox TV Stations Bolsters Game Show Content With Buzzr TV". Deadline.com (Penske Business Media). January 20, 2015. Retrieved January 23, 2015.
- ^ Albiniak, Paige (January 20, 2015). "Fox TV Stations Acquire Buzzr TV, New Multicast Net from FremantleMedia North America". Broadcasting and Cable (NewBay Media). Retrieved January 23, 2015.
- ^ a b Wayne Friedman (January 20, 2015). "Buzzr TV Joins TV Diginet Race". MediaPost (MediaPost Communications). Retrieved January 23, 2015.
- ^ Cynthia Littleton (January 20, 2015). "Fox Stations to Launch Game Show Digital Channel From FremantleMedia". Variety (Penske Media Corporation). Retrieved January 23, 2015.
- ^ Clive Whittingham (April 14, 2015). "Fremantle builds up Buzzr team". C21 Media. C21 Media Limited.
- ^ "Monty Hall makes 'Deal' for classic games". USA Today (Gannett Company). June 1, 2015.
- ^ Amanda Kondolojy (June 1, 2015). "New Digital Multicast Network Buzr Launches Today, June 1, 2015". TV by the Numbers (Press release). Zap2It (Tribune Digital Ventures). Retrieved June 4, 2015.
- ^ Megan Daley (January 20, 2015). "Fox Television Stations gets rights to classic game show library Buzzr TV". Entertainment Weekly (Time Inc.). Retrieved January 23, 2015.
- ^ Kondolojy, Amanda. "Buzzr Celebrates Independence Day Through the Years With Special 4th of July Television Event". zap2it. Retrieved 29 June 2015.
- ^ Kelley, Seth (August 21, 2015). "Buzzr Sets Programming Block of Failed Game-Show Pilots". variety.com. Retrieved August 25, 2015.
- ^ "Stations for Network - Buzzr TV". RabbitEars. Retrieved February 13, 2015.
- ^ Jon Lafayette (March 4, 2014). "Exclusive: Bounce TV Extends Univision Deal". Broadcasting & Cable. NewBay Media. Retrieved March 4, 2014.
- ^ Paige Albiniak (January 20, 2015). "Fox TV Stations Acquire Buzzr TV, New Multicast Net from FremantleMedia North America". Broadcasting & Cable (NewBay Media). Retrieved January 23, 2015.
- ^ "Stations for Network - Buzzr TV". RabbitEars.info. Retrieved February 13, 2015.