Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

TrueReal

TrueReal was an owned by Katz Broadcasting, a subsidiary of the , that targeted women aged 25–54 with unscripted reality programming. Launched on July 1, 2021, TrueReal reached approximately 92% of U.S. households through ION stations, select local stations, and other broadcast groups, offering free over-the-air access in all major markets. The network's programming focused on addictive, dramatic unscripted content, including popular series such as , Hoarders, , , I Survived..., , Little Women: Atlanta, and . This lineup emphasized stories of fascinating, independent-minded individuals navigating personal challenges, aligning with ' broader portfolio of nine niche networks. TrueReal operated for less than two years before its discontinuation, with its final broadcast airing on March 27, 2023. In a strategic move to optimize spectrum value amid a challenging market—where reported a 9.2% revenue decline in the fourth quarter of —the network was merged into the male-targeted Defy TV, retaining popular TrueReal programs under the Defy brand. The vacated subchannel space was subsequently leased to Jewelry Television for additional revenue, while shifted to the former TrueReal slot on some stations. This closure reflected broader industry shifts toward consolidating multicast channels post-Scripps' acquisition of , which bolstered its national broadcast footprint.

History

Launch

TrueReal originated as a from the network portfolio of Katz Broadcasting, a of the acquired in 2017, with a focus on programming tailored for women. Initially announced in March 2021 under the working name Doozy, the network underwent a to TrueReal ahead of its debut, reflecting its emphasis on dramatic content centered around real-life stories. The rebranding was revealed during ' upfront presentation to media buyers, adopting the “Real-life. Big Drama. No more apologies” to highlight empowering and relatable narratives for its target demographic of women aged 25-54. On July 1, 2021, TrueReal officially launched as a free over-the-air digital multicast network, debuting alongside its male-skewing counterpart Defy TV. The initial programming lineup, sourced primarily from A+E Networks, featured a weekly schedule of popular reality series designed to resonate with female viewers, including Storage Wars on Mondays, Hoarders on Tuesdays, Little Women: LA on Wednesdays, Intervention on Thursdays, I Survived on Fridays, Married at First Sight on Saturdays, and a Sunday block with Little Women: Atlanta and Wahlburgers. Scripps' launch strategy prioritized broad accessibility through subchannel placements on its owned-and-operated stations and ION Media affiliates, securing carriage agreements that reached 92% of U.S. households and all major markets from day one. Promotional campaigns tied to the debut emphasized the network's fresh entry into the space, positioning TrueReal as a dedicated destination for dramatic, women-centric available over-the-air for the first time.

Shutdown and merger

On March 10, 2023, The announced the shutdown of TrueReal, citing strategic shifts to optimize its portfolio amid a challenging market that contributed to a 9.2% decline for its networks division in the prior quarter. The decision was driven by the need for cost efficiencies in a competitive landscape, allowing to focus resources on higher-performing networks like Defy TV while maximizing spectrum value through leasing. TrueReal ceased operations as a standalone network on March 27, 2023, after which select programming was integrated into Defy TV, including popular series such as and Hoarders, to consolidate audiences under the established Defy TV brand. later discontinued Defy TV on June 30, 2024, replacing it with a of on its stations, though select programming continued on a relaunched Defy TV by Free TV Networks starting July 1, 2024. The remaining subchannel spectrum was repurposed and leased to Jewelry Television, generating additional revenue for . The closure prompted transition notices to affiliates, with subchannel reallocations on Scripps-owned stations shifting TrueReal's slot to in some markets and accommodating Jewelry Television in others, ensuring continued over-the-air availability without service disruptions. This move reflected broader industry pressures on operators to adapt to declining ad revenues and evolving viewer habits.

Programming

Format and content

TrueReal operated as a 24/7 , delivering reality series, lifestyle programming, and content tailored for female viewers seeking empowerment and relatability. Owned by the Katz Broadcasting subsidiary of the , the channel targeted women aged 25 to 54 with addictive, dramatic television that highlighted personal narratives and emotional depth. The network's thematic approach focused on women's stories, interpersonal relationships, home and improvement, and overcoming challenges, fostering a sense of connection among its audience. This emphasis on female-centric content deliberately excluded male-oriented action genres, distinguishing TrueReal from companion networks like Defy TV. Programming drew primarily from acquired off-network series, enabling a cost-effective model suited to distribution without heavy investment in new productions. TrueReal's daily schedule featured structured prime-time blocks of reality content to capture evening viewership, complemented by weekend marathons for immersive sessions and syndicated filler to ensure round-the-clock availability. This format allowed for flexible rotation of episodes, prioritizing viewer retention through familiar, episodic storytelling. Following the network's shutdown in March 2023, select programming elements were integrated into Defy TV to preserve popular content for overlapping audiences.

Notable programs

TrueReal's programming included a mix of syndicated reality series, with prime-time blocks featuring specific shows on designated days of the week. showcased competitive bidding on abandoned storage units in a fast-paced format, airing Mondays starting July 5, 2021, and running through the network's final day. Hoarders delved into the lives of individuals overwhelmed by compulsive , with episodes airing Tuesdays from July 6, 2021, to March 2023, highlighting emotional clean-up processes. Intervention followed the journeys of people battling through surprise interventions and treatment, debuting July 1, 2021, and concluding with the network's shutdown. Little Women: LA and Little Women: Atlanta explored the lives and relationships of women with , airing Wednesdays and Saturdays, respectively. I Survived... featured survivor stories of extreme personal ordeals, including crimes and accidents, on Fridays. documented couples meeting and marrying on their first date, airing Thursdays. offered a behind-the-scenes look at the Wahlberg family's burger business, airing Sundays. One consistent offering was , a reality show capturing confrontations between drivers and parking enforcement officers over towed vehicles and tickets, which aired as a daily staple until the closure on March 27, 2023. TrueReal's schedule consisted primarily of syndicated reality shows licensed from , comprising the bulk of its content. Series such as and Hoarders were instrumental in attracting and retaining viewers in the target demographic of women aged 25-54 during 2021 and 2022, helping establish the network's niche in lifestyle and programming. After TrueReal's shutdown, several key programs, including , migrated to Defy TV as part of the merged lineup to preserve popular content for audiences.

Operations and distribution

Ownership

TrueReal was wholly owned by The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP), a diversified media conglomerate, operating as part of its Scripps Networks division through the subsidiary Katz Broadcasting, LLC. Scripps acquired Katz Broadcasting in October 2017 for $292 million (net of its prior 5% stake), integrating the subsidiary's existing multicast networks—Bounce TV, Grit, Escape (later rebranded Court TV Mystery), and Laff—into its portfolio to expand digital over-the-air (OTA) offerings. This acquisition positioned Katz as the operational hub for Scripps' targeted audience networks, including subsequent launches like TrueReal. Key leadership for TrueReal fell under Scripps Networks, with Lisa Knutson serving as president from January 2021 to January 2023, overseeing strategy, , and distribution for the division's assets. Knutson, who joined in 2005 and previously held roles as and , reported to Adam Symson, ' president and CEO, guiding network decisions amid the company's broader push into free ad-supported streaming and television. No external partners or joint ventures were involved in TrueReal's ownership, maintaining full control under from its July 2021 launch through its March 2023 shutdown and integration into Defy TV. Scripps' post-2017 investments in multicast networks, including the Katz acquisition and subsequent ION Media purchase in 2021, underscored a strategic emphasis on expanding digital TV reach to over 90% of U.S. households without significant additional costs. This financial commitment—totaling hundreds of millions in acquisitions and programming deals—enabled TrueReal's development as a women-focused network, leveraging Scripps' negotiating power to acquire unscripted content libraries for cost-effective programming. Ownership directly influenced , prioritizing library acquisitions that aligned with Scripps' existing distribution assets and audience targeting expertise from Katz.

Carriage and availability

TrueReal was primarily distributed as a free over-the-air (OTA) digital multicast network, airing on subchannels of Scripps-owned and operated television stations as well as affiliate broadcasters across the United States. At its launch in July 2021, the network achieved carriage in 92% of U.S. television households, covering all major markets through these subchannel placements. This broad reach was facilitated by Scripps' ownership of over 60 local stations in more than 40 markets, which provided the foundational infrastructure for multicast distribution. Carriage agreements with non-Scripps affiliates expanded the network's footprint beyond ' core holdings, enabling the high national penetration at peak operation. These deals were typical of the digital multicast model, where stations subchannel space to national networks for additional , allowing TrueReal to appear on a wide array of local broadcasters without requiring full-channel affiliation. The network's focus aligned with ' strategy to leverage underutilized digital spectrum for free, accessible content. Streaming and video-on-demand (VOD) options for TrueReal were limited throughout its run, with no carriage on major over-the-top (OTT) services like Hulu, Netflix, or Peacock. Availability was confined primarily to OTA viewing, though some Scripps-affiliated platforms offered occasional on-demand episodes tied to local station apps, reflecting the network's emphasis on broadcast rather than digital streaming ecosystems. TrueReal specifically targeted women aged 25-54, a demographic prioritized through its selection of reality programming and measured via Nielsen ratings focused on this group. Marketing efforts emphasized female-oriented themes in promotions and ad buys, aiming to attract advertisers interested in this audience segment with content centered on personal stories, relationships, and challenges. By late 2022, TrueReal experienced reductions in overall viewership amid broader industry shifts, including trends that diminished linear TV engagement even for networks, contributing to pre-shutdown adjustments in operations. These pressures, combined with strategic decisions to reallocate , led to the network's full cessation on March 27, 2023.

References

  1. [1]
    [PDF] Defy TV and TrueReal to debut in 92% of U.S. today
    Jul 1, 2021 · Defy TV will cater to men ages 25-54, with programming that celebrates fascinating and independent-minded people living life to the fullest.<|control11|><|separator|>
  2. [2]
    Scripps shuts down TrueReal digital TV network - TheDesk.net
    Mar 29, 2023 · March 29, 2023 - Scripps has shut down its TrueReal digital network in order to lease spectrum to Jewelry Television.
  3. [3]
    E.W. Scripps Folding TrueReal Digital Network Into Defy TV - Nexttv
    Mar 10, 2023 · TrueReal's last day as a standalone network will be March 27. Scripps launched both Defy TV and TrueReal in 2021 (TrueReal had originally been ...
  4. [4]
    Scripps Acquires The Katz Broadcast Networks | Press Releases
    Aug 1, 2017 · The E.W. Scripps Company has acquired the Katz broadcast networks which includes Bounce, Grit, Escape and Laff national networks.
  5. [5]
    Jonathan Katz Leaving Scripps To Start New Business Venture
    Jul 16, 2021 · In addition to Bounce and Court TV, Katz Networks also runs Grit, Laff, Court TV Mystery and two networks launched July 1: Defy TV and TrueReal.
  6. [6]
    Scripps Network Gets Real Quick Name Change to TrueReal
    ### Summary of TrueReal Rebranding
  7. [7]
    New Scripps Networks Defy TV, TrueReal Launch in 92% of U.S.
    Scripps Co. said it launched its two new national television networks, Defy TV and TrueReal on Thursday with coverage in 92% of the United States, including ...
  8. [8]
    What Happened to the TrueReal Channel? Why It Vanished
    Mar 28, 2023 · E.W. Scripps, the company behind TrueReal, announced a few weeks ago that TrueReal would be folded into the Defy TV network. The channel's last ...
  9. [9]
    [PDF] Form 10-Q for EW Scripps Co filed 08/04/2023
    Aug 4, 2023 · On March 27, 2023, we shut down TrueReal, merging certain of its programming with that of Defy TV, and began leasing the additional spectrum it.
  10. [10]
    E.W. Scripps' Defy and TrueReal, New Reality TV Networks Aimed ...
    Jul 1, 2021 · TrueReal and Defy TV, two new multicast networks being launched today by EW Scripps, have been cleared in 92% of US households, the company said.Missing: Katz | Show results with:Katz
  11. [11]
    Defy TV and TrueReal to debut in 92% of U.S. today - PR Newswire
    Reality-based national television networks Defy TV and TrueReal will be seen in 92% of the United States and in all major markets when they launch on Thursday, ...Missing: Katz | Show results with:Katz
  12. [12]
    ssp-20211231 - SEC.gov
    TrueReal features female-centric programming that includes reality-based shows such as Storage Wars, Married at First Sight, Hoarders and Little Women: LA. 11 ...
  13. [13]
    TV Schedule for TrueReal (WXMI4) Grand Rapids, MI | TV Passport
    Check out today's TV schedule for TrueReal (WXMI4) Grand Rapids, MI and take a look at what is scheduled for the next 2 weeks.
  14. [14]
    TV Schedule for TrueReal Network - TV Passport
    Check out today's TV schedule for TrueReal Network and take a look at what is scheduled for the next 2 weeks.
  15. [15]
    Scripps Closes On Acquisition Of The Katz Broadcast Networks
    Oct 2, 2017 · The EW Scripps Company (NYSE: SSP) has closed its acquisition of the Katz broadcast networks, which distribute programming for targeted audiences over the air.Missing: TrueReal libraries pilots
  16. [16]
    E.W. Scripps Co. buys Katz broadcast networks - ABC15 Arizona
    Aug 1, 2017 · Scripps owned 5 percent of the business before the acquisition, so the net purchase price is $292 million. Founder Jonathan Katz will continue ...
  17. [17]
    Lisa Knutson - Speaker Details: 2022 MCN Wonder Women - LA
    Lisa Knutson is president, Scripps Networks, industry leaders in over-the-air and over-the-top television and part of The E.W. Scripps Company.
  18. [18]
    Scripps honored with three Top Women in Media Awards from ...
    Jul 19, 2021 · Lisa Knutson , president of Scripps Networks, Scripps' full-scale national television networks business, has been recognized in the ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  19. [19]
    Lisa A Knutson, EW Scripps Co: Profile and Biography
    Lisa A Knutson is Former Chief Operating Officer at EW Scripps Co. See Lisa A Knutson's compensation, career history, education, & memberships.
  20. [20]
    Scripps Defy TV and TrueReal Launch in 92% of Country | TV Tech
    Jul 1, 2021 · Scripps' Defy TV and TrueReal Launch in 92% of Country. By George Winslow published July 1, 2021. The two reality-based networks also unveil ...Missing: Katz | Show results with:Katz<|control11|><|separator|>
  21. [21]
    Scripps Networks - Wikipedia
    TrueReal – a digital broadcast O.T.A. network which carried reality programming targeted to women from the A&E Networks library. Folded on March 27, 2023. · Defy ...Missing: spin- | Show results with:spin-
  22. [22]
    [PDF] Creating Value Through Connection - E.W. Scripps Company
    Mar 12, 2025 · On September 27, 2024, we announced plans to significantly reduce Scripps News' national network programming ... shutdown of the TrueReal network.
  23. [23]
    Scripps' quarterly segment profit jumped 21%, driven by political and ...
    Feb 24, 2023 · Scripps Networks President Lisa Knutson was promoted to chief operating officer and is leading the reorganization. Scripps expects this work ...