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Circle Country

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Circle Country
Type
CountryUnited States
Broadcast areaNationwide coverage: 100%[1]
HeadquartersNashville, Tennessee
Programming
Language(s)English
Picture format1080i (HDTV)
Ownership
OwnerGray Television
ParentPowerNation
History
FoundedApril 24, 2019; 5 years ago (2019-04-24)
LaunchedAs a OTA channel:
January 1, 2020; 4 years ago (2020-01-01)
As a FAST streaming channel:
January 1, 2024; 9 months ago (2024-01-01)
ClosedAs a OTA channel:
December 31, 2023; 10 months ago (2023-12-31)[2]
Former namesCircle (2020–2023)
Links
Websitecirclecountry.com
Availability
Streaming media
Service(s)Circle Now App, FuboTV, Peacock, Roku Channel Live TV, Samsung TV Plus, Sling Freestream, Tubi, Vizio WatchFree

Circle Country, previously known as Circle, is a free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) service owned by Gray Television as part of its PowerNation Studios division. The network's programming consists of country music oriented shows, western films and rural/blue collar themed material, featuring a mix of original and off-network shows sourced from Opry Entertainment Group (the owner of the Grand Ole Opry, and Gray Television's former joint venture partner in the channel's previous incarnation as an over-the-air digital subchannel).

Previously before 2024, the network was available primarily through the digital subchannels of broadcast television stations, as well as an ad-supported video-on-demand channel on Peacock and Stirr, along with national carriage on Dish Network and Sling TV. Cable television and IPTV providers were offered either the network's local affiliate, or the network's national feed on their systems.

Circle ended the OTA portion of the channel on December 31, 2023. Streaming of the channel remained available under the Circle Country name. Many of the OTA stations replaced Circle with one of several networks under the new Gray/Lionsgate/Warner Bros. Discovery joint venture Free TV Networks, which is led by broadcasting veteran Jonathan Katz. Opry's programming rights will be utilized on several new AVOD ventures by Opry and NBCUniversal, which took a 30% minority stake in Opry Entertainment in 2022.[2][3] Programs from the Circle Network continue to be available through various streaming providers on the Circle Country network after the OTA service ended.[4]

Background

[edit]

Circle Country was Opry Entertainment Group's fourth entry into television network ownership. From its founding in 1983 until 1997, OEG's parent company (Ryman Hospitality Properties), known then as the Gaylord Entertainment Company, was owner of The Nashville Network (TNN). Gaylord later bought a second country music-oriented cable network, Country Music Television (CMT), in 1991. Gaylord Entertainment sold both networks to the CBS Cable unit of CBS Corporation in 1997 for $1.55 billion feeling that the two then-country networks could grow faster as part of a larger media company.[5] Gaylord, however, retained CMT International.[6] Gaylord Cable Networks took its stakes in TV Argentina and CMT International to launch the MusicCountry channel[7] in Mexico and Argentine in 2000. Then on September 1, 2000, the company launched the MusicCountry service in Europe. Gaylord would subsequently rebrand CMT channels in Australia, Brazil, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Asia-Pacific region's areas to the MusicCountry brand.[8]

History

[edit]
Circle logo used from 2020 to 2023.

Towards the end of the 2010s, Ryman Hospitality Properties was looking to venture back into television, with its Opry Entertainment unit already having co-produced the dramatic series Nashville, along with the end of its partnerships to carry the Opry with CMT, then Great American Country, as their managements both shifted away from music programming and towards a more generic and broad-based focus on Southern culture. In 2018, Ryman had settled on a broadcast television network and began pursuing starting one as they felt country music fans are underserved. Ryman tested nine potential shows via a sizzle reel with excellent responses from focus group sessions.[9]

Ryman and Gray Television announced a joint venture between Gray and Ryman's subsidiary, Opry Entertainment Group on April 24, 2019 to launch a broadcast television network in early 2020 and an online streaming service later. The planned network would feature the Grand Ole Opry archives and performances from the Grand Ole Opry House and other Ryman-owned music venues.[9] On October 17, 2019, the joint venture partners would confirm that Gray-owned stations would be among the network's charter affiliates; they would also reveal on that date the network's name — Circle, which is a nod to the iconic 6-foot wooden section of stage at the Opry House (and that section's original home, Ryman Auditorium) on which various country stars have performed.[10]

On December 16, 2019, Circle's formal launch date of January 1, 2020 was announced for Circle, along with a roster of 16 new programs for the network. Additionally, CBS Television Stations was also announced as joining in Circle's list of charter affiliates, bringing major markets to the network's initial list of stations to 56 affiliates covering 50% of the country.[11] As of October 2020, Circle has 99 affiliates reaching 62.61% of U.S. TV households.[12]

On November 10, 2023, it was announced that Circle as an over-the-air network would cease its broadcast operations on December 31, 2023, as Gray transitions to a new partnership for its digital subchannel networks, Free TV Networks, with Lionsgate and Warner Bros. Discovery. The final regular program to air on Circle as a OTA network was the movie Rio Lobo. The channel continues streaming via the Circle Country network, with select programming such as Coffee, Country & Cody as well as Opry Live. In addition, Opry Live and The Song will continue to be offered over-the-air via the syndication market.[2][3]

Programming

[edit]

Previously, Circle (as OTA sub-channel) provided up to 20 hours of programming to its owned-and-operated and affiliated stations on weekdays from 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. Eastern Time and on weekends from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. Eastern Time. The remaining vacated hours were occupied by paid programming.

Circle featured programming geared toward both fans of the country music genre and rural audiences, a similar demographic targeted by competing country music-oriented multicast networks Heartland (which, incidentally from 2012 until 2013, used The Nashville Network moniker once used by Ryman's original cable network venture) and The Country Network. Circle Country's programming primarily features a mix of original and acquired series with a country music or Southern lifestyle-centric format.

Circle previously broadcast two simultaneous feeds: one for digital distribution, and the other for terrestrial distribution. The terrestrial feed (which typically appeared as a digital subchannel of a major network affiliate station in numerous markets around the United States) aired classic movies and off-network syndicated programming, while the digital feed (distributed over streaming services such as Peacock and Roku) features more company-owned music-based programming. Those feeds converged for live programming, such as the daily simulcast of WSM Radio morning show "Coffee, Country & Cody" and Grand Ole Opry broadcasts, as well as during regular timeslots of Circle-produced original programming. As of 2024, the terrestrial feed is no longer available, but the digital (aka streaming) feed remains available as Circle Country, with classic movies being added with the original programming.

As the network was under development, Circle Media developed several original productions for the network's inaugural programming slate—aiming to make it one of a handful of digital multicast services that carry original programming, and one of the few (alongside the Live Well Network, which reduced its national distribution outside of sister networks ABC's owned-and-operated stations in January 2015, and its rebrand Localish) to offer a large original content slate. On December 11, 2019, Circle Media announced that it had greenlit 16 original programs slated to debut on the network in Circle's first five months of operation, including a simulcast of WSM Radio's Coffee, Country & Cody (which had previously aired on competing country music-oriented multicast network Heartland),[13][14] and the music and interview series The Dailey and Vincent Show which moved from the show's prior four-year home, RFD-TV.[15] and several docu-series (including Craig's World, a reality program centering on country artist Craig Morgan; Fandom, focusing on the artist-fan relationship in country music; Upstream, a fishing/interview program hosted by Elizabeth Cook; and several Grand Ole Opry-focused series such as Opry Debut).[16]

Among the initial offerings were all surviving episodes of Hee Haw.[16]

Current programming

[edit]

Original programming

[edit]
Music/interview programming
[edit]
  • Backstage at the Opry (January 1, 2020–present) – Docu-series following artists preparing for performances at the Grand Ole Opry.[11]
  • Bluebird Café Sessions (February 2020–present) – Music series featuring performances from popular and up-and-coming country artists, recorded at the iconic Bluebird Café in Nashville.[11]
  • Coffee, Country & Cody (January 1, 2020–present) – Television simulcast of the WSM Radio morning program; hosted by Bill Cody with co-host Charlie Mattos and entertainment correspondent Kelly Sutton.[14] The show is produced by occasional co-host Eric Marcum and is broadcast live from WSM Radio's studio inside the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center.
  • The Dailey & Vincent Show (January 1, 2020–present) – Music series hosted by the bluegrass/country/gospel duo of Jamie Dailey and Darrin Vincent featuring solo and collaborative performances with popular country music artists.[11]
  • Fandom (February 2020) – Docu-series exploring the relationship between country artists and their fans from each's perspective.[11]
  • Opry Live (February 2020–present)—One hour of an episode of the Grand Ole Opry; initially aired live in simulcast with the WSM radio broadcast,[17][11] since 2021, Opry Live has typically been a pre-recorded live to tape hour of a Tuesday or Friday Opry radio broadcast or previously televised live Saturday broadcast, allowing WSM to continue carrying less demographic-friendly acts, square dances and audience-participation bits.
  • My Opry Debut (January 1, 2020–present) – Docu-series chronicling up-and-coming country artists making their debut performance at the Grand Ole Opry.[16]
  • Opry Anniversary (January 1, 2020–present) – Docu-series chronicling country artists looking back at their debut performance at the Grand Ole Opry.
  • Austin City Limits: Country (June 8, 2022) - Hosted by singer-songwriter Rodney Crowell during Season 1 in 2022, and then by Ray Benson during Season 2 in 2023, featuring classic Austin City Limits episodes with a country flavor, along with behind-the-scenes, and never-before-seen interviews.
  • Opry Docs (January 1, 2020–present) – Docu-series hosted by contemporary artists chronicling the life and careers of legendary country musicians.[16]
  • Phil Vassar’s Songs from the Cellar (January 2, 2020–present) – Music and interview series hosted by Phil Vassar, featuring interviews with artists, songwriters, entertainers, athletes and wine enthusiasts at his personal wine cellar.[11]
  • The Write Stuff (January 7, 2020–present) – Docu-series chronicling the composition steps of country music's greatest songs.[16]
Lifestyle/entertainment programming
[edit]
  • Authentic America (January 2, 2020–present) – Hosted by veteran television host Nan Kelley and country artist Charlie Kelley, in which the married couple spotlight lesser-known attractions and eateries, and interesting people around the U.S.[16]
  • Bellamy Brothers' Honky Tonk Ranch (January 1, 2020–present) – Reality series chronicling country duo David and Howard Bellamy's music career, and home and ranch life.[18]
  • Better Half (January 2, 2020–present) – Reality docu-series chronicling the lives of the spouses of country and NASCAR stars.[16]
  • Craig's World (February 2020–present) – Docu-series featuring Craig Morgan dealing with the music world, his businesses and his family.[11]
  • Family Traditions (February 2020–present) – Docu-series profiling the descendants of legendary country music artists.[16]
  • Southern Weekend (January 2, 2020–present) – Travel series highlighting attractions of note across the Southern U.S.; hosted by Natalie Stovall.[11]
  • Stand Up Nashville! (January 3, 2020–present) – Stand-up comedy showcase recorded at Zanies Comedy Club in downtown Nashville.[16]
  • Upstream (May 2020 – present) – A fishing program featuring host Elizabeth Cook conducting conversations with country artists at various fishing locations.[16]

Affiliates

[edit]

Previously, Circle had current or pending affiliation agreements with 96 television stations in 96 media markets encompassing 39 states, covering 62.60% (or a total population of 195,620,130 residents) of all households in the United States that own at least one television set.[1] It is also carried as a live channel on NBC's streaming service Peacock, and on Vizio's Free Streaming Channels platform on their current generation of smart TVs.

Before its launch, Circle Media actively sought affiliation agreements with various television station owners to make the Circle network widely available throughout the United States. The network launched with clearance rate of, at minimum, 50% of overall American television households, in part due to affiliation agreements with stations owned by network co-parent Gray Television (initially encompassing 56 of the group's stations, with no clearance in approximately 15 other small-sized markets with a Gray-owned station)[10] and CBS Television Stations, which provided Circle broad clearance in the 25 largest U.S. markets (including New York City, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Boston, Miami–Fort Lauderdale and Dallas–Fort Worth) through the group's independent stations.[11]

Ironically at the network's launch, Circle was not available over-the-air in the network's headquarters of Nashville, despite its status as the hub of the country music industry. Gray Television did not own any television stations in the Nashville television market (the company was only in two of the six Tennessee-based television markets) until 2021, and did not secure a local affiliate prior the network's debut. The network gained an affiliate in that market on January 31, 2020, via the DT5 subchannel of (at the time) Meredith Local Media-owned NBC affiliate WSMV-TV, which was formerly owned alongside Ryman's Opry properties from 1950 until 1981 and had a short-lived launch affiliation with Heartland, which launched utilizing the trademark of The Nashville Network, but lost it a year later due to business disputes.[19][20] On May 3, 2021, Gray announced it was purchasing Meredith's broadcasting properties (and the sale was completed on December 1[21]), which made WSMV-TV both an O&O station for the network as well as its flagship station.[22]

List of last OTA affiliates

[edit]

Stations listed in BOLD were Circle owned-and-operated.

City of license/market Station[1] Virtual
channel 		Primary affiliation
(on main feed) 		Owner Launch date Notes

Alabama

[edit]
Birmingham/Tuscaloosa/
Anniston		 WBRC 6.3 Fox Gray Television January 1, 2020[23] Displaced Grit
(network moved to 6.5)
Huntsville/Decatur/
Florence		 WAFF 48.3 NBC Gray Television January 1, 2020[24] Displaced Grit
(network moved to 48.5)
Mobile WALA 10.5 Fox Gray Television February 7, 2020 New subchannel
Montgomery/Selma WSFA 12.3 NBC Gray Television January 1, 2020 Displaced Grit
(network moved to 12.3)

Alaska

[edit]
Anchorage KAUU 5.3 CBS Gray Television January 1, 2020

Arizona

[edit]
Phoenix KTVK 3.3 Independent Gray Television February 1, 2020 New subchannel
Tucson KOLD-TV 13.3 CBS Gray Television January 1, 2020[25]

Arkansas

[edit]
Little Rock KTHV 11.5 CBS Tegna

California

[edit]
Bakersfield KERO-TV 23.7 ABC E. W. Scripps Company
Los Angeles KCAL-TV 9.3 Independent CBS News and Stations January 1, 2020
San Francisco/Oakland/
San Jose		 KPYX 44.5 Independent CBS News and Stations January 1, 2020

Colorado

[edit]
Colorado Springs KKTV 11.3 CBS Gray Television January 6, 2020[26]
Denver KUSA-TV 9.6 NBC Tegna February 28, 2020[27]

Delaware

[edit]
Dover
(Salisbury, Maryland)		 WMDE 36.4 ShopHQ WRNN License Company January 1, 2020

Florida

[edit]
Gainesville/Ocala WCJB-TV 20.4 ABC Gray Television January 1, 2020
Miami/Fort Lauderdale WBFS-TV 33.5 Independent CBS News and Stations January 1, 2020
Panama City WECP-LD 18.3 CBS Gray Television January 1, 2020[28] Displaced Heroes & Icons
(network moved to 18.4)
Sarasota WWSB 40.2 ABC Gray Television January 1, 2020
St. Petersburg/Tampa WTOG 44.5 Independent CBS News and Stations January 1, 2020
West Palm Beach WFLX 29.3 Fox Gray Television
(operated by the E. W. Scripps Company under an SSA)		 January 1, 2020

Georgia

[edit]
Albany WALB 10.5 NBC Gray Television January 1, 2020
WGCW-LD 36.2 CW
Atlanta WPCH-TV 17.4 The CW Gray Television January 1, 2020
Augusta WRDW-TV 12.4 CBS Gray Television January 1, 2020[29]
Columbus WTVM 9.3 ABC Gray Television January 1, 2020
Savannah WTOC-TV 11.3 CBS Gray Television January 1, 2020
Thomasville
(Tallahassee, Florida)		 WCTV 6.3 CBS Gray Television January 1, 2020

Hawaii

[edit]
Honolulu KGMB 5.2 CBS Gray Television January 1, 2020

Idaho

[edit]
Caldwell/Boise KNIN-TV 9.4 Fox Marquee Broadcasting January 1, 2020

Illinois

[edit]
Chicago WBBM-TV 2.5 CBS CBS News and Stations February 2023
Rockford WIFR-LD 23.3 CBS Gray Television January 1, 2020

Indiana

[edit]
Evansville WFIE 14.3 NBC Gray Television January 1, 2020[30] Displaced Grit
(network moved to 14.4)
Indianapolis WTHR 13.6 NBC Tegna February 2020 New subchannel
South Bend WNDU-TV 16.3 NBC Gray Television January 1, 2020[31]

Iowa

[edit]
Davenport KWQC-TV 6.6 NBC Gray Television January 1, 2021 New Subchannel
Ottumwa/Kirksville, MO KYOU-TV 15.3 Fox Gray Television January 1, 2020 Displaced Grit
(network moved to 15.5)
Sioux City KTIV 4.6 NBC Gray Television February 2023 New Subchannel

Kansas

[edit]
Topeka WIBW-TV 13.3 CBS Gray Television January 1, 2020 New subchannel
Hutchinson/Wichita KWCH-DT 12.4 CBS Gray Television January 1, 2020 New subchannel

Kentucky

[edit]
Bowling Green WBKO-TV 13.4 ABC Gray Television December 27, 2022
Hazard WYMT-TV 57.3 CBS Gray Television January 1, 2020[32]
Lexington WKYT-TV 27.3 CBS Gray Television January 1, 2020
Louisville WAVE 3.3 NBC Gray Television January 1, 2020

Louisiana

[edit]
Baton Rouge WAFB 9.3 CBS Gray Television January 1, 2020 (replaced by The365 on Jan. 1 2024)
Lake Charles KVHP 29.3 Fox American Spirit Media
(operated by Gray Television via an SSA)		 January 13, 2020 Displaced Ion Television
(network moved to 29.4)
Monroe KNOE-TV 8.4 CBS Gray Television January 1, 2021
New Orleans WVUE-DT 8.3 Fox Gray Television January 1, 2020[33] Displaced Grit
(network moved to 8.5)
Shreveport KSLA 12.2 CBS Gray Television January 1, 2020 Displaced Grit
(network moved to 12.4)

Maine

[edit]
Bangor WABI-TV 5.4 CBS Gray Television January 1, 2020[34]

Massachusetts

[edit]
Boston WSBK-TV 38.5 Independent CBS News and Stations January 1, 2020

Michigan

[edit]
Detroit WKBD-TV 50.5 Independent CBS News and Stations January 1, 2020
Flint/Saginaw/
Bay City		 WJRT-TV 12.3 ABC Allen Media Broadcasting January 1, 2020
Lansing/Jackson WILX-TV 10.3 NBC Gray Television January 1, 2020[35]
Marquette WLUC-TV 6.4 NBC Gray Television

Minnesota

[edit]
Duluth / Superior K23MQ-D 23.1 Circle Gray Television February 2023 New subchannel
Mankato KMNF-LD 7.3 NBC Gray Television October 6, 2022 New subchannel
Minneapolis KARE-TV 11.5 NBC Tegna February 13, 2020
Rochester KTTC 10.6 NBC Gray Television February 2023

Mississippi

[edit]
Jackson WLBT 3.3 NBC Gray Television January 1, 2020[36]
Biloxi WLOX 13.6 ABC Gray Television
Hattiesburg-Laurel, Mississippi WDAM 7.5 NBC Gray Television
Meridian, Mississippi WTOK 11.5 ABC Gray Television

Missouri

[edit]
Cape Girardeau
(Paducah, Kentucky)		 KFVS-TV 12.3 CBS Gray Television January 1, 2020[37]
Kansas City KQML-LD 46.1 HC2 Holdings January 7, 2023
KSMO 62.5 MyNetworkTV Gray Television January 1, 2020
St. Louis KMOV 4.5 CBS Gray Television January 1, 2020
Springfield KYTV 3.5 NBC Gray Television January 1, 2020

Nebraska

[edit]
Grand Island/Hastings KGIN 11.5 CBS Gray Television January 1, 2020 Satellite of KOLN
Lincoln KOLN 10.5 CBS Gray Television January 1, 2020
North Platte KNOP-TV 2.4 NBC Gray Television January 2, 2023
Omaha WOWT 6.6 NBC Gray Television

Nevada

[edit]
Reno KOLO-TV 8.4 ABC Gray Television January 1, 2020
Las Vegas KHSV 21.3 H&I Howard Stirk Holdings May 2021 Displaced QVC
(network moved to 21.6)

New York

[edit]
Binghamton WBNG-TV 12.6 CBS Gray Television February 2023
New York
(New York City)		 WCBS-TV 2.5 CBS WRNN-TV Associates January 1, 2020 New Subchannel, Circle formerly on WRNN-TV (48.2, later on 48.4)
Riverhead
(New York City)		 WLNY-TV 55.5 Independent CBS News and Stations January 1, 2020

North Carolina

[edit]
Charlotte WBTV 3.3 CBS Gray Television January 1, 2020
Greensboro/Winston-
Salem/High Point		 WFMY-TV 2.5 CBS Tegna February 2020
Greenville/New Bern/
Washington		 WITN-TV 7.6 NBC Gray Television January 1, 2020[38]
Raleigh WNCN 17.4 CBS Nexstar Media Group September 1, 2021
Wilmington WECT 6.3 NBC Gray Television January 1, 2020

North Dakota

[edit]
Bismarck KFYR-TV 5.4 NBC Gray Television January 1, 2020
Dickinson KQCD-TV 7.4 NBC Gray Television January 1, 2020 Satellite of KFYR-TV
Minot KMOT 10.4 NBC Gray Television January 1, 2020 Satellite of KFYR-TV
Williston KUMV-TV 8.4 NBC Gray Television January 1, 2020 Satellite of KFYR-TV

Ohio

[edit]
Cincinnati WXIX-TV 19.3 Fox Gray Television January 1, 2020[39] Displaced Grit
(Grit moved to 19.4, forcing the displacement of Ion Television to 19.5)
Lorain/Cleveland WUAB 43.2 The CW Gray Television January 1, 2020
Columbus WBNS-TV 10.6 CBS Tegna January 1, 2020
Toledo WTVG 13.4 ABC Gray Television January 1, 2020

Oklahoma

[edit]
Tulsa KJRH-TV 2.6 NBC E. W. Scripps Company May 17, 2022

Oregon

[edit]
Vancouver, Washington–Portland KPDX 49.3 MyNetworkTV Gray Television June 17, 2022

Pennsylvania

[edit]
Philadelphia WPSG 57.5 Independent CBS News and Stations January 1, 2020
Jeannette/Pittsburgh WPKD-TV 19.4 Independent CBS News and Stations January 1, 2020

Puerto Rico

[edit]
Toa Baja W17DL-D 17.3 MeTV TV Red Puerto Rico February 1, 2020

South Carolina

[edit]
Charleston WCSC-TV 5.3 CBS Gray Television January 1, 2020[40] Displaced Grit
(network moved to 5.4)
Columbia WIS 10.3 NBC Gray Television January 1, 2020
Myrtle Beach WMBF-TV 32.3 NBC Gray Television January 1, 2020[41] Displaced Grit
(network moved to 32.5)

South Dakota

[edit]
Lead KHSD-TV 11.2 ABC Gray Television January 1, 2020 Satellite of KOTA-TV
Rapid City KOTA-TV 3.2 ABC Gray Television January 1, 2020

Tennessee

[edit]
Knoxville WVLT-TV 8.4 CBS Gray Television January 1, 2020[42]
Memphis WMC-TV 5.3 NBC Gray Television January 1, 2020[43] Displaced Grit
(network moved to 5.4)
Broadcasts CW Sports programming on weekends.
Nashville WSMV-TV 4.5 NBC Gray Television January 31, 2020[20] Flagship station

Texas

[edit]
Austin KVUE 24.5 ABC Tegna Spring 2020
Belton
(Waco/Temple/Bryan)		 KNCT 46.2 CW+ Gray Television January 13, 2020 Replaced MeTV simulcast
(network remains available on KWTX-DT 10.3)
Borger
(Amarillo)		 KEYU 31.3 Telemundo Gray Television January 1, 2020
Fort Worth/Dallas KTXA 21.4 Independent CBS News and Stations January 1, 2020
Houston KHOU 11.5 CBS Tegna January 1, 2020
Lubbock KCBD 11.2 NBC Gray Television January 1, 2020[44]
San Antonio KENS-TV 5.5 CBS Tegna January 1, 2020
Sherman/Ada KXII 12.6 CBS Gray Television January 2023
Tyler/Longview KLTV 7.2 ABC Gray Television January 1, 2020
Wichita Falls/Lawton, OK KAUZ-TV 6.3 CBS American Spirit Media
(operated by Gray Television via an SSA)		 January 13, 2020

Vermont

[edit]
Burlington WCAX-TV 3.3 CBS Gray Television January 1, 2020[45] Displaced Ion Television
(network moved to 3.5)

Virginia

[edit]
Charlottesville WVIR-TV 29.6 NBC Gray Television February 2023
Harrisonburg WHSV-TV 3.6 ABC Gray Television
Norfolk WTKR 3.5 CBS E.W. Scripps Company
Richmond WWBT 12.3 NBC Gray Television January 1, 2020[46] Displaced Ion Mystery
(network moved to 12.4)
Roanoke WDBJ 7.2 CBS Gray Television January 1, 2020[47] Displaced Heroes & Icons
(network moved to 7.3)

Washington

[edit]
Tacoma/Seattle KSTW 11.5 Independent CBS News and Stations January 1, 2020

West Virginia

[edit]
Bluefield/Beckley/Oak Hill WVVA-TV 6.6 NBC Gray Television
Huntington/Charleston WSAZ-TV 3.3 NBC Gray Television January 1, 2020[48]
Weston/Clarksburg WDTV 5.4 CBS Gray Television January 1, 2020

Wisconsin

[edit]
Eau Claire WEAU-TV 13.3 NBC Gray Television February 2020 Displaced Heroes & Icons
(network moved to 13.6)
Green Bay WBAY-TV 2.3 ABC Gray Television January 1, 2020[49][50] Displaced Catchy Comedy
(network moved to 2.6)
Broadcasts MyNetworkTV programming on weekdays.
Wausau WSAW-TV 7.6 CBS Gray Television

Wyoming

[edit]
Casper KCWY-DT 13.5 NBC Gray Television

Former affiliates

[edit]
City of license/market Station Virtual
channel 		Primary affiliation
(on main feed) 		Owner Year(s) Notes

California

[edit]
Sacramento/Stockton/
Modesto		 KMAX-TV 31.5 Independent CBS News and Stations 2020–2022 Became affiliate of Dabl (simulcast of KOVR 13.3); later became affiliate of Movies!

Iowa

[edit]
Cedar Rapids KCRG-TV 9.6 ABC/MyNetworkTV/The CW Gray Television 2020–2021 Displaced after station assumed CW affiliation for third subchannel, requiring removal of subchannels to provide HD signal

Nevada

[edit]
Las Vegas KLAS-TV 8.4 CBS Nexstar Media Group 2020–2021 Became affiliate of Rewind TV

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "Stations for Network - Circle". RabbitEars.info. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c Bouma, Luke (November 10, 2023). "The OTA TV Network Circle Is Shutting Down & Will Be Replaced By Warner Bros. Discovery's New Network". Cord Cutter News. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
  3. ^ a b Hayes, Dade (2023-11-07). "Warner Bros. Discovery, Lionsgate And Gray Television Team With Free TV Networks, A New Programmer With A Presence On Broadcast TV And Streaming". Deadline. Retrieved 2023-11-12.
  4. ^ "Outlaw to replace Circle Country on Jan 1, 2024". Retrieved 2023-12-27.
  5. ^ "Gaylord Sells Country Music Channels". Tulsa World. Retrieved 2020-01-13.
  6. ^ Fabrikant, Geraldine (February 11, 1997). "Westinghouse To Buy Units From Gaylord For $1.5 Billion". The New York Times – via NYTimes.com.
  7. ^ Sutter, Mary (May 24, 2000). "Gaylord increases share in Argentine pay TV channels".
  8. ^ Stark, Phyllis (May 20, 2000). "Gaylord Plans Global Country Cable Channel" (PDF). Billboard. p. 8,122. Retrieved December 31, 2019.
  9. ^ a b Rau, Nate (April 24, 2019). "Ryman Hospitality expanding Nashville's country music brand with TV channel". The Nashville Tennessean. USA Today Network. Retrieved December 26, 2019.
  10. ^ a b Miller, Mark K. (October 17, 2019). "New Country Multiplatform Network From Gray, Opry Entertainment Group To be Named Circle". TV News Check. Retrieved December 26, 2019.
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Annie Reuter (December 16, 2019). "Opry Entertainment to Launch New Network Circle in 2020". Billboard. Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media Group. Retrieved December 26, 2019.
  12. ^ Circle affiliate list on RabbitEars.info (accessed 10/24/2020)
  13. ^ Barry Courter (December 12, 2019). "Chattanooga-based television hub adds programming, national streaming access". Chattanooga Times Free Press. Retrieved December 19, 2019.
  14. ^ a b "Coffee, Country & Cody Launches on CIRCLE - WSM News". WSM (AM). Opry Entertainment Group. January 8, 2020. Retrieved January 11, 2020.
  15. ^ "THE DAILEY & VINCENT SHOW Announces New Network Home With Circle". Broadway World. December 12, 2019. Retrieved January 12, 2020.
  16. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Bethany Bowman (December 14, 2019). "New Country Music Network Circle to Launch January 1". Tennessee Star. Retrieved December 26, 2019.
  17. ^ "GRAY TELEVISION, Atlanta". TVNewsCheck. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
  18. ^ Markos Papadatos (January 10, 2020). "Bellamy Brothers launch 'Honky Tonk Ranch' on the Circle Network". Digital Journal. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  19. ^ Marq Burnett (February 6, 2020). "Circling back: Ryman's TV network launches in Nashville". Nashville Business Journal. American City Business Journal. Retrieved February 7, 2020.
  20. ^ a b "The Circle Network Is Now on WSMV 4.5". Nashville DTV News & More. January 31, 2020.
  21. ^ "Gray Television Closes on Acquisition of Meredith Corporation's Local Media Group" (Press release). Gray Television. Globe Newswire. December 1, 2021.
  22. ^ "Gray to acquire Meredith Corporation's Local Media Group in a $2.7 billion transaction". Gray Television. May 3, 2021. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  23. ^ Jenna Wood (December 31, 2019). "WBRC multicast lineup changes effective Jan 1". WBRC. Gray Television. Retrieved January 12, 2020.
  24. ^ "Country music channel 'Circle' on 48.3". WAFF. Gray Television. January 7, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2020.
  25. ^ "Country music network Circle to launch with 16 shows, including 'Opry Live'". KOLD-TV. Gray Television. December 23, 2019. Retrieved January 12, 2020.
  26. ^ Tony Keith (January 6, 2020). "'Circle,' a new country music and lifestyle network launches on KKTV: Here's how to watch". KKTV. Gray Television. Retrieved January 12, 2020.
  27. ^ Alexander Kirk (February 28, 2020). "9NEWS' new channel 9.6 is your country music destination". KUSA-TV. Tegna. Retrieved February 28, 2020.
  28. ^ "Country music channel 'Circle' to debut Jan. 1 on WECP 18.3". WJHG-TV. Gray Television. December 31, 2019. Retrieved January 12, 2020.
  29. ^ "Country music channel 'Circle' to debut Jan. 1 on WRDW". WRDW-TV. Gray Television. December 23, 2019. Retrieved January 12, 2020.
  30. ^ "Circle - A Country Lifestyle Network". WFIE. Gray Television. December 9, 2019. Retrieved January 12, 2020.
  31. ^ "Country music channel 'Circle' to debut Jan. 1 on WNDU 16.3". WNDU-TV. Gray Television. December 28, 2019. Retrieved January 12, 2020.
  32. ^ "Here's where you can find WYMT's brand-new country music channel 'Circle'". WYMT-TV. Gray Television. December 31, 2019. Retrieved January 12, 2020.
  33. ^ "Here's where you can find the brand-new country music channel 'Circle'". WVUE-DT. Gray Television. December 31, 2019. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  34. ^ "How to get access to our new country music network Circle beginning January 1st". WABI-TV. Gray Television. December 31, 2019. Retrieved January 12, 2020.
  35. ^ "Country music network 'Circle' to launch with 16 shows". WILX-TV. Gray Television. December 11, 2019. Archived from the original on January 12, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2020.
  36. ^ "What y'all need to know about the new Circle network". Mississippi Weekend. Gray Television. January 1, 2020. Archived from the original on January 25, 2020. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  37. ^ "More channels free from KFVS12". KFVS-TV. Gray Television. December 20, 2019. Archived from the original on January 12, 2020. Retrieved January 12, 2020.
  38. ^ "Country music channel 'Circle' debuts Jan. 1 on WITN 7.6". WITN. Gray Television. December 30, 2019. Retrieved January 12, 2020.
  39. ^ John Kiesewetter (December 27, 2019). "Grand Ole Opry, New Channels Coming To Cincinnati TV". WVXU. Cincinnati Public Media, Inc. Retrieved January 12, 2020.
  40. ^ Patrick Phillips (December 28, 2019). "Country music channel 'Circle' to debut Jan. 1 on WCSC 5.3". WCSC-TV. Gray Television. Retrieved January 12, 2020.
  41. ^ "Country music channel 'Circle' to debut Jan. 1 on WMBF News". WMBF-TV. Gray Television. December 27, 2019. Retrieved January 12, 2020.
  42. ^ "How to get access to Circle Network". WVLT-TV. Gray Television. December 26, 2019. Retrieved January 12, 2020.
  43. ^ "How to get access to our new country music network Circle". WMC-TV. Gray Television. December 26, 2019. Retrieved January 12, 2020.
  44. ^ "Coming to KCBD 11.2: Country music network Circle to launch with 16 shows". KCBD. Gray Television. December 27, 2019. Retrieved January 12, 2020.
  45. ^ Darren Perron (December 30, 2019). "How to watch our new, free country music network, Circle". WCAX-TV. Gray Television. Retrieved January 12, 2020.
  46. ^ "Here's where you can find the brand-new country music channel 'Circle'". WWBT. Gray Television. January 1, 2020. Retrieved January 23, 2020.
  47. ^ "WDBJ channels get New Year update". WDBJ. Gray Television. December 12, 2019. Retrieved January 12, 2020.
  48. ^ Tony Rutherford (January 11, 2020). "Comcast Adds Three New Digital OTA Channels". The Huntington News. Retrieved January 12, 2020.
  49. ^ "Circle launches Jan. 1 on WBAY 2-3: Here's how to watch". WBAY-TV. Gray Television. December 31, 2019. Retrieved January 12, 2020.
  50. ^ "WBAY-TV adds channel 2-6". WBAY-TV. Gray Television. December 2, 2019. Retrieved January 12, 2020.
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