• by Wayne Friedman , January 20, 2015

Key over-the-air TV real estate has received heightened attention over the past few days.

On the heels of Monday's announcement of a local TV digitally-based comedy network, now comes Buzzr TV, focused on game shows. Game show producer FremantleMedia North America and TV syndicator Debmar-Mercury are behind the effort.

Starting tonight, the local multicast digital Justice Network with John Walsh starts up in 40% of U.S. television homes on Gannett group and other TV stations. 

Justice Network was founded by three veteran TV executives: Barry Wallach, former NBCUniversal Domestic Television Distribution executive; John Ford, former Discovery Channel president, and Steve Schiffman, former National Geographic Channels executive. Schiffman is CEO of Justice Network.

Buzzr TV will have the Fox owned-and-operated stations as its initial launch group. The network will start this summer, airing in all 17 of Fox’s markets, including nine out of the country’s top 10 and 14 out of the top 20.

FremantleMedia North America is a major supplier of game-show programming, with long-running shows, such as “Family Feud” and “The Price is Right,” in its library.

LAFF network from Katz Broadcasting has ABC and E.W. Scripps stations are signed up. With 35% coverage of U.S TV homes, it is set to launch in April. Last year, it started up two other digitally-based TV networks, GRIT and Escape.