Chattanooga-based television hub adds programming, national streaming access

Blank white tv screen interior in darkness mockup, front view, 3d rendering. Empty telly plasma display in living room mock up. Clear smart panel monitor on glass shelf template. television tile tv channel remote tile / Getty Images
Blank white tv screen interior in darkness mockup, front view, 3d rendering. Empty telly plasma display in living room mock up. Clear smart panel monitor on glass shelf template. television tile tv channel remote tile / Getty Images

Chattanooga-based Reach High Media Group, a national distribution hub hosting television programming in 221 cities across the country, is expanding its streaming access and adding new original content.

Included in that new content is a new morning show called "Morning Beat," which will debut as a half-hour daily show in January.

Reach High Media Group offers free family-friendly programming through over-the-air, cable and satellite television on The Heartland Network, Retro TV, Rev'n, The Action Channel and The Family Channel. It currently reaches 50 % of U.S. households.

Formerly Luken Communications, the group is run by Joel Wertman, a musician and broadcast veteran who has focused the company on creating new content, with most of it created in Chattanooga, as well as acquiring addition retro content such as classic dramas and sitcoms. He has also launched streaming access.

"Making the leap into original productions was no small undertaking and I'm proud that our networks and programming are being embraced by viewers and affiliates across the country," he said.

"Morning Beats' will be hosted by Ashley Larsen and will focus on everything from health to exercise tends and organizing you life to interviews with experts on art, books, movies, music and more. It will air daily form 9 -9:30 a.m. and will replace "Coffee, Country & Cody" on the Heartland Network.

The network's current lineup includes "More Than the Music, The Unseen world, Just Renting," "The Red Green Show," "Reflections" with Keith Bilbrey," "Paula" with Paula Dean and more.

Retro TV is planning a special tribute and airing of the popular classic soap opera "The Doctors" beginning in January. Reach High media specialist Jennifer Crutchfield said fans are "crazy about" the show and the subscription-based access will include all-new programming including interviews with stars of the series that ran from the late '60s to the early '80s.

The series will also include classic TV commercials as well as early black-and-white episodes.

Retro TV was the country's first digital broadcast network and airs vintage comedies like "The Lucy Show," "The Beverly Hillbillies," "The Ray Bradbury Theater" and the Joey Bishop Show."

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