Edgy network for urban audiences, Punch TV, now available in Dallas

It targets city dwellers of diverse ethnicities who prefer non-mainstream entertainment.

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Its not-at-all-joking tagline is "Are You Thirsty Yet?"

While Punch TV is a television network still in its infancy, it has reached a number of milestones in a short period of time. Now Dallas viewers can watch on KHPK 26.2.

When first launched in October 2011, Punch TV was accessible in 2 million households; 13 months later, that number has grown to 59 million households. Additionally, Punch’s audience chooses their viewing preferences from shows that represent 70% original programming. Punch is developing a reputation for broadcasting shows that are unusual, innovative, and highly entertaining.

With the digitization of television within the United States, the number of networks and/or soon-to-be networks is increasing at an exponential rate. As a part of this effort, the number of ethnic-based entertainment enclaves is also growing. Vietnamese, Thai, Cambodian and programming targeted towards other Asian populations is now available. Likewise, Mexican, Puerto Rican, Argentinean and other Spanish-speaking peoples are able to view programming that reflects their unique cultural preferences. Similarly, programming that reflects young urban African Americans, recent African immigrants, middle income women of African descent, and other ethnicities associated with the African Diaspora have also appeared both nationally as well as locally. Television as it was as recently as the '80s has disappeared and a village of entertainment silos has now emerged.

But, Punch TV, America’s Urban TV Network, has carved its own unique place in the world of television by daring to defy these overwhelming trends.

“Yes, I am an African American,” says Joseph Collins, Punch TV’s president and founder, “but I have created a network that targets the New Urban Americans. The New Urban Americans can be described as a multiethnic group of city dwellers who are hip, smooth, and cosmopolitan. They prefer their entertainment edgy and non-mainstream. They are attracted to characters who are confident trend makers rather than trend followers.”

Punch TV has not only distinguished itself by daring to psychographically segment the marketplace in an era characterized by demographic niches, this small network has also experienced impressive growth.

“When we launched in October, 2011, we were accessible in 2 million homes. Today, with a roster of 37 affiliates, Punch TV is available to viewers in approximately 59 million homes in most major Urban Markets. This represents a growth rate of 2850% in slightly more than a year,” Collins said.

In addition to its selected target market and the rapidity of its growth rate, Punch TV is also unique in that although a small, independent over-the-air network whose signal is distributed by what Broadcasting and Cable Magazine called “market minnows” television stations in nearly all major cities, it entered the market offering 70% original programming. The original programming is, indeed, unusual and an asset.

As Broadcasting and Cable Magazine quoted, “…some on the affiliate side believe Punch has legs.” Affiliates are attracted to Punch TV’s programming, which includes never-before-seen films, night-time soaps, dramatic mini-series, original children’s shows, science fiction series, talk shows, reality shows and others, and this translates to viewers. Punch TV also entered the marketplace with another unusual offering, Advertisers may choose a traditional advertising package or Punch TV highly unique Transmedia Advertising that allows companies to expose their messaging through multiple media forms of the selected show.

Utilizing the theme, “Are you thirsty, yet?” Punch TV is seeking to carve its own niche in the world of broadcasting by focusing upon the innovative and exploring opportunities for TV.