HISTORY OF
ION MEDIA
ION Media is an independent, privately held media company, and owner and
operator of the nation’s largest broadcast station group.
ION reaches viewers in 100+ million U.S. households, or 85% of the population, through its 71 owned and operated stations - including 24 of the top 25 markets - and its affiliations with broadcast, cable, satellite and telco operators. Its flagship, ION Television, is a top 5-ranked U.S. general entertainment network. ION also owns two digital networks: Qubo, featuring premium children’s programming, and ION Plus, featuring hit dramas and original series.
Brandon Burgess is named President and CEO.
2005 December-
ION Television is born, and the network expands to include a broader array of general entertainment programming.
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ION Media launches QUBO, the first 24/7 digital media channel for children.
ION Media launches ION Life, the country’s first 24/7 digital network dedicated to promoting active lifestyles, personal growth and wellness.
2007 FebruaryION becomes one of the first media networks to demonstrate its commitment to combat child obesity and champion children’s health by pledging that it will not air national advertising featuring unhealthy food and beverage choices on Qubo.
2007 AugustION Television re-launches as a general entertainment network and debuts a new look and tagline: “Positively Entertaining.”
2008 SeptemberION launches in HD and pledges to feature HD programming on all 60 ION stations across the country.
2009 February-
ION Television earns the title of the nation's fastest growing network, with ratings registering a record double and triple-digit growth in primetime and a +72% increase in total viewership.
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ION Television launches “Flashpoint,” an original series.
ION becomes one of America’s top 10 cable entertainment networks. They take the #9 slot in households and total viewership, as well as viewership among Adults ages 25-54.
2011 JanuaryION announces a new slate of holiday movies and becomes the place to come “Home for the Holidays.”
2012 NovemberION introduces IONTHUSIASTS, a new campaign celebrating the ION Television viewer and highlighting the collective consistency, impact and engagement of their viewership on the network.
2013 MarchThe additions of programming such as “The Listener,” “Rookie Blue,” and “Blue Bloods” further strengthens the ION Television roster and spurs a steady growth in ratings.
2014 April-
ION Television launches original series “Saving Hope.”
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ION Television acquires the rights to “Law & Order” and "Law & Order: SVU." They become the only network to offer all three iterations of the iconic and longest-running series in TV history.
ION unveils a new on-air look, complete with a refreshed logo speaking to the evolution of the network and highlighting the variety of the “Positively Entertaining” ION Television lineup.
2016 OctoberION Media relocates its New York City broadcast television operations to One World Trade Center, providing the tri-state area with a perfect 360-degree signal from a state-of-the-art omni-directional antenna.
2017 MayION Television adds “NCIS: LA” and the “CSI” trilogy to its content portfolio.
2018 JanuaryION Television launches original series “Private Eyes.”
2018 FebruaryION Television acquires rights to the top-rated drama series “Chicago P.D.”
2018 AugustION Media acquires five additional broadcast stations in an effort to further solidify the company’s leadership as the largest U.S. TV Spectrum operator with owned stations in all top 20 markets
2018 SeptemberION Television ranks #2 in households in primetime among networks airing holiday movies.
2018 December- ION Television was officially launched on January 29, 2007.
- ION is an industry leader when it comes to digital media. The 2007 launch of Qubo and ION Life marked a first time venture into digital channels by a media company.
- Within 4 years of its initial launch, ION had already cracked the top 10 cable entertainment networks.
- ION Media is the nation’s largest broadcast station group owner with 60 stations reaching 98 million homes, including all of the top 20 markets.
- ION Television's audience is among the most loyal and engaged in the nation, leading the industry with 95% live viewing.
- ION Media's dedication to employees is evident in its comprehensive benefits plan, which includes health insurance, paid time off, a wellness program and 401(k) plan.
Fast Facts
- ION Television was officially launched on January 29, 2007.
- ION is an industry leader when it comes to digital media. The 2007 launch of Qubo and ION Plus marked a first time venture into digital channels by a media company.
- Within 4 years of its initial launch, ION had already cracked the top 10 cable entertainment networks.
- ION Media is the nation’s largest broadcast station group owner with 71 stations reaching 100+ million homes, including the top 50 markets.
- ION Television's audience is among the most loyal and engaged in the nation, leading the industry with 92% live viewing.
- ION Media's dedication to employees is evident in its comprehensive benefits plan, which includes health insurance, paid time off, a wellness program and 401(k) plan.