US’s Newsmax gains UK foothold via Freeview Connect

Controversial right-wing US news channel Newsmax has gained UK-wide distribution via Freeview Connect in partnership with Global Distribution Services.

Newsmax is available in 15 million Freeview Connect households across the UK, expanding the channel’s global footprint and creating a foothold in the UK for the first time.

The right-leaning channel is the number four US news service and available in 50 million US pay TV homes. Newsmax is distributed by providers including DirecTV, Dish, Comcast, Charter, Verizon and Fubo.

The channel is expanding its global reach across major markets, including previously announced deals across Europe, North America, Australia, and Asia.

Andy Biggers, SVP of Content Distribution of Newsmax, said: “We selected Global Distribution Services as a key UK launch partner to reach Freeview viewers in the vast majority of UK households and deliver an expert US perspective on global issues and US foreign policy that affect Britain’s interests.  With the run-up to the 2024 US Presidential election already well underway, we believe UK viewers will want to tune-in to see where US affairs with global implications are headed.”

Tanya Kronfli, managing director of Global Distribution Services, which specialises in delivery and digital monetisation of TV content via Freeview Connect, said:  “We are thrilled to launch newsmax via Freeview Connect and expand Freeview’s news offerings with a leading US-based news channel, and also being able to monetise it using the Synapse FAST SSAI.”