WTVC NewsChannel9 to launch ThisTV on March 1

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - Feb. 25, 2009 - WTVC Television NewsChannel9 announced today the launch of ThisTV on its digital sub-channel 9.2 this Sunday, March 1. ThisTV, a studio-based programming service offering 4,000 movie titles and 10,000 episodes of TV programming, is from Metro Goldwyn Mayer.

Doreen Wade, President of WTVC parent Freedom Broadcasting, Inc. said, "Freedom Broadcasting has been exploring creative ways to program our multicast channels. We believe MGM's ThisTV is one of the best options. With more than 4,000 movie titles in its program library, ThisTV on WTVC 9.2 will be a popular choice with our viewers in the Chattanooga market.”

Television viewers in Chattanooga expect quality for NewsChannel9 WTVC and ThisTV delivers with classic movies and classic television programs on channel 9.2 (Comcast 208 and Charter 174).

“We’re excited. ThisTV is a great fit for WTVC and for Chattanooga”, said Mike Costa, Vice President and General Manager of WTVC NewsChannel9.

In March viewers can look forward to theme days like “This is Spring Break” on March 1 featuring the movies “Beach Blanket Bingo”, “How to Stuff a Wild Bikini” and “Ski Party”. On March 8, it’s “This is the West” day with the epic movie “Red River” in addition to “Sam Whiskey” and “Support Your Local Gunfighter” with James Garner. The month rounds out with “This is Elvis!” on March 22 featuring Elvis Presley movies, and on March 28 with “This is Vincent Price” and a collection of three classic horror movies.

“ThisTV will be a fun network. It offers viewers an opportunity to gather the family, pop some popcorn and sit down to watch a great movie. It provides advertisers a cost effective way to market their product in quality programming,” Costa added.

ThisTV is available for free, over-the-air, on digital 9.2; or via Comcast cable, channel 208 and Charter cable, channel 174.

WTVC is owned by Freedom Communications, headquartered in Irvine, California. Freedom is a national privately owned information and entertainment company of print publications, broadcast television stations and interactive businesses. The company’s portfolio includes more than 70 newspapers, including The Orange County Register, magazines and other specialty publications, plus news, information and entertainment websites to complement its print and broadcast properties. Freedom’s newspaper publications have a combined circulation of more than one million subscribers. The broadcast stations—five CBS and three ABC network affiliates—reach more than 3.5 million households across the country.