Gary R. Benz, CEO of GRB Media Ranch announced the company’s continued growth with a new digital strategy, with soon-to-launch FAST Channels and AVOD (Ad-Supported Video on Demand) distribution platforms. Industry veteran Will Marks was retained to develop and implement the forward-facing strategy. He will attend MIPCOM next month to expand the Company’s relationship with content and distribution partners.
Two FAST channels are planned for launch in Q4 ‘24 across the U.S. and many English-speaking territories (U.S., U.K., Ireland, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand). Each channel will launch with over 400 hours of programming, with additional content being added regularly. Additional territories will be launched throughout 2025, along with more channels.
A paranormal-themed FAST channel, titled “The Unseen” (wt) will include shows from the GRB Media Ranch “Dark Zone” programming collection, including Paranormal Files and Paranormal Quest.
Also, a travel, food, and culture-themed FAST channel, titled “WNDR” (“Wander”) (wt) will carry programming including “Top Travel”; “South Africa with Hayden Quinn”; “World of Wonder”; and many more globe-spanning series. Several more FAST channels are in development for distribution worldwide for next year.
Marks comes to GRB Media Ranch with sterling credentials as a seasoned industry executive. He was previously SVP, Business Development & Digital at Ovation Television where he founded and led the digital portfolio, including the TV-Everywhere app OvationNOW and the FAST Channels Mystery Alley and JOURNY. Marks led the channels to distribution on 300MM+ devices across the US and Canada on connected TVs and video platforms including Amazon Fire, Roku, Samsung TVPlus, Vizio WatchFree+, Plex; and the Apple iOS and Google Android mobile platforms. JOURNY, a perennial “Top 3” travel network on Roku also won the “Best AVOD Service” award from Cynopsis in 2021. Marks had previously served in executive roles leading business development, strategy, and digital teams at ComcastNBCU, Intel Corp, and The Walt Disney Company.
Benz stated: “GRB Media Ranch is truly excited to launch our digital strategy with two FAST channels in 4Q and we are pleased that Will Marks will share his expertise and distribution savvy to help with this next step in our company’s evolution. We feel fortunate to have many hours of premium programming in paranormal and travel for our launch.”
Marks added: “GRB Media Ranch built a tremendous content library and continuously acquires compelling programming across diverse genres. We can’t wait to thrill and chill viewers with the ghosts and haunts on The Unseen; and then take consumers on amazing adventures around the world on WNDR. These new FAST channels are a cornerstone of GRB Media Ranch’s new distribution approach, bringing captivating programming to worldwide audiences. I look forward to working with Gary and the entire GRB Media team in helping them increase the company’s reach around the world.”