What Happened to True Real Channel? Latest Updates Here
by Kowsalya
Updated Mar 29, 2023
What Happened to True Real Channel?
E.W. Scripps recently made an announcement that TrueReal, their digital broadcasting network, would be integrated into the Defy TV network. Both TrueReal and Defy TV were launched in 2021, as part of Scripps' larger digital broadcasting portfolio. The decision to merge the two networks came as a result of the company's ongoing evaluation of the best ways to generate value from its spectrum. The most popular programs from each network were selected for the merger while maintaining the established Defy branding.
TrueReal's last day as a standalone network was on March 27, after which its shows were incorporated into Defy TV's programming lineup. This decision also presented an opportunity for Scripps to lease spectrum to Jewelry Television, a company that sells men's and women's jewelry online and on air. Scripps had reported a 9.2% decrease in revenue in its most recent quarterly report, citing slowing ad sales as the main reason for the decline. Given the company's financial standing, the consolidation of TrueReal and Defy TV made sense. However, for viewers who were following TrueReal, the sudden disappearance of the network could be disorienting. It's worth noting that Scripps also owns several other networks, including Ion, Ion Mystery, Bounce, Laugh, Grit, and Court TV. Overall, the company continues to evaluate its portfolio and make decisions that will generate the most value for its spectrum.
Which Shows will Continue Rebroadcasting on Defy TV?
TrueReal primarily aired reruns of popular A&E reality TV shows such as Storage Wars, Wahlburgers, Intervention, and Hoarders. Scripps has not yet specified which of these programs will be included in Defy TV's lineup following the merger. Regular TrueReal viewers will need to switch to Defy TV and keep an eye out for their favorite shows to see if they have been carried over.
Is Digital broadcasting Available on Streaming?
While some viewers may still rely on traditional cable to access networks like Defy TV and TrueReal, many others use streaming platforms to watch these channels. Despite rebroadcasting other shows, these channels have the potential to attract new audiences who may not have cable subscriptions. However, the recent merger between TrueReal and Defy TV has left some viewers in a state of confusion, as the former channel's programming has been incorporated into the latter. In a surprising move, the channel that used to air TrueReal has now been leased out to Jewelry Television, a channel that doesn't have a similar audience to TrueReal. It remains to be seen how this will affect viewership for all three channels. Nevertheless, Scripps appears to be optimistic about the merger, hoping that Defy TV can become a powerhouse in its own right and attract an even larger audience.
True Real
TrueReal was a TV network that catered to women aged 25–54 and was owned by the Katz Broadcasting subsidiary of the E. W. Scripps Company. Launched on July 1, 2021, TrueReal was part of a dual launch that included Defy TV, a complementary network aimed at men aged 25–54. With a broadcast coverage of 92% of the United States, both networks were available through cable subscriptions and various streaming platforms. However, on March 27, 2023, TrueReal's programming schedule was merged with Defy TV, effectively discontinuing the channel as a standalone network. The channel space that TrueReal occupied was subsequently used to air programming from Jewelry Television.
What Happened to True Real Channel - FAQs
TrueReal was an American digital multicast television network owned by the Katz Broadcasting subsidiary of the E. W. Scripps Company, which mainly rebroadcasted reality TV series.
TrueReal was targeted at women aged 25–54.
TrueReal and Defy TV, a complementary network targeted at men aged 25–54, launched together on July 1, 2021, with broadcast coverage of 92% of the United States.
TrueReal primarily aired rebroadcasts of A&E reality TV series like Storage Wars, Wahlburgers, Intervention, and Hoarders.
On March 27, 2023, TrueReal's programming was merged with Defy TV, and its channel space was reused to carry programming from Jewelry Television.