Glenn Beck Announces 'GBTV'

Full Launch For Live Streaming Video Network Sept. 12

Mercury Radio Arts, Glenn Beck’s multi-media production company, unveiled GBTV – a live streaming video network featuring Glenn’s new daily two-hour show and a wide range of original and licensed information and entertainment programming.

All programs will be broadcast in HD and will be available live or on-demand across multiple viewing platforms. Select shows on the network, which already has over 80,000 paying subscribers, are currently available, and others will come online over the months leading up to the full launch on 9/12.



Glenn’s two-hour show will be broadcast live weekdays from 5 to 7PM ET from a newly-built set designed by Glenn and his team at the iconic NEP Studios in Midtown Manhattan.

Joel Cheatwood, the former Fox News Channel executive who joined Mercury earlier this year, has been appointed President of Programming for all of GBTV and will oversee Glenn’s show.

Stu, Pat

Cheatwood will also be responsible for the production and acquisition of all content for the network. In addition to Glenn’s new show, GBTV will launch with two other programs: A six camera simulcast of Glenn’s three hour radio show and “The 4th Hour” starring Pat Gray and Stu Burguiere. The network will continue to add a variety of scripted and un-scripted content produced by Mercury and other companies and has already signed a development deal with award winning and critically acclaimed television producer and #1 New York Times bestselling author Brad Thor, who has sold over 2 million copies of his books nationwide.

“GBTV is the future,” said Glenn Beck. “The confines of traditional media no longer apply. GBTV is about getting active in the community, participating in stories, and finding new ways to deliver news, information and entertainment directly to the audience.”

Mercury’s decade-long relationship with Clear Channel Communications will extend to the promotion of GBTV across over 100 of Clear Channel’s spoken word radio stations, reaching over 13 million listeners per month.

Christopher Balfe, President & COO of Mercury Radio Arts, will oversee all of GBTV. “Lots of people are talking about the digital content revolution, but few are willing to risk it all and place a huge bet on the future,” Balfe said. “With GBTV, Mercury is doing just that. Fortunately, our incredible team at Mercury, as well as our industry-leading business partners, makes me confident that we will once again build something extraordinary.”

Starting today and running through the launch of Glenn’s new show on 9/12, the network will feature an exclusive behind-the-scenes reality show about the making of GBTV.

GBTV is built from the ground up for social sharing. The GBTV Facebook page will reward fans with virtual currency for actions such as “checking in” to the show or sharing information with their friends. The currency can then be used to unlock exclusive content, such as downloads of documentaries, discount codes, etc.

New subscribers can join GBTV immediately at http://www.GBTV.com. Subscriptions are $4.95/month for access to Glenn’s two-hour daily show only, or $9.95 for GBTV Plus, which offers the complete network of programs, including the radio simulcast, documentaries and special events. For a limited time, all new subscribers can join at the $4.95 rate.

GBTV will employ a hybrid business model, with support from both subscriptions and advertisers. Kraig Kitchin, the former president of Premiere Networks who joined Mercury earlier this year, will be responsible for cross-platform advertising sales leveraging all of Mercury’s digital properties.

Tomorrow night (June 8th) at 7PM EST, Glenn will host a free streaming event on glennbeck.com to discuss GBTV.