Scripps-owned ABC affiliate WRTV Indianapolis (DMA 27) is canceling its Hometown Sports & News (HTSN) network on digital ch. 6.2 and is replacing it with Grit, a multicast network from Katz Broadcasting, effective Oct. 1.
For five years, HTSN provided local sports to over-the-air audiences and viewers watching on Comcast and Brighthouse cable systems. Grit will deliver programming with a heavy focus on westerns, war and action movies.
”We have taken great pride in delivering this local programming,” said Larry Blackerby, WRTV VP-GM. “We’ve watched the Indianapolis Indians dominate the minor leagues and our Indy Fuel skate hard on the ice. Parents who couldn’t make it to Friday night high school football or basketball games could tune in on our digital channel to watch the action unfold from the comfort of their home. It was wonderful to be the only station in town providing so much local sports, but the cost of this programming is too great. The choice to switch to Grit is strictly a local business decision.”
