KARK, KLRT adding digital channels for central Arkansas viewers

Two new digital TV channels are set to launch in central Arkansas next month — one focused on comedy and the other billed as the first broadcast television network for women.

On Sept. 1, NBC affiliate KARK-TV’s 4.2 subchannel will become home to Laff, a comedy network set to air sitcoms such as The Drew Carey Show, Night Court, Empty Nest and Ellen, according to a news release. The lineup also includes airings of movies such as Jerry Maguire and Sleepless in Seattle.

Also that day, Fox affiliate KLRT-TV’s 16.2 will began broadcasting Escape, a network targeted at women. The channel will air a mixture of true-crime shows such as Snapped, Unsolved Mysteries and Forensic Files as well as movies such as Presumed Innocent, Fatal Attraction and Body Heat.

Both networks are owned by Georgia-based Katz Broadcasting, which operates two other digital networks already airing in the central Arkansas market: Grit on ABC affiliate KATV-TV's 7.3 subchannel and Bounce TV on MyNetworkTV affiliate KARZ-TV's 44.2 subchannel. KARZ is a sister station of KLRT.

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