New Country music and lifestyle TV network Circle is scheduled to launch January 1 with affiliates in a half-dozen Upper Midwest markets.
The network is a joint venture by Gray TV and the Grand Ole Opry. Programming plans released Wednesday say Circle will launch with 16 original series including Opry Live, a show featuring performances at the Grand Ole Opry, as well as reruns of Hee Haw.
“Circle will feature original programming centered around artists and their music; hobbies; outdoor and offstage adventures; food; family; and friends. Circle will also offer entertainment news, documentaries and movies along with licensed programming and archival content. ”
The amount of original programming is unusually large for a subchannel network.
According to the network’s website, affiliates include:
- KFYR-TV 5.4 Bismarck (new channel)
- KCRG 9.6 Cedar Rapids (new channel)
- WBAY 2.3 Green Bay, displacing Ion to 2.6
- KOLN/KGIN 10.5/11.5 Lincoln/Grand Island (new channels)
- KYOU-TV 15.3 Ottumwa, replacing Grit
- KOTA-TV 3.2 Rapid City (new channel)
All of the Upper Midwest affiliates announced so far are Gray TV stations. Nationally, the affiliate base will include 56 Gray TV stations and six CBS-owned stations (not Minneapolis) at launch.