 | |
| Type |
|
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Broadcast area | Nationwide coverage: 100%[1] |
| Headquarters | Nashville, Tennessee |
| Programming | |
| Language(s) | English |
| Picture format | 1080i (HDTV) |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Gray Television |
| Parent | PowerNation |
| History | |
| Founded | April 24, 2019 |
| Launched | As a OTA channel: January 1, 2020 As a FAST streaming channel: January 1, 2024 |
| Closed | As a OTA channel: December 31, 2023[2] |
| Former names | Circle (2020–2023) |
| Links | |
| Website | circleallaccess circlecountry |
| 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]
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
rewas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Outlaw to replace Circle Country on Jan 1, 2024". Retrieved 2023-12-27.