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MHz Networks
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MHz Networks is an American broadcaster that specializes in international television programming.
Key Information
Washington, D.C., broadcast operations
[edit]MHz (pronounced "M-H-Z") Networks began as a project of the Commonwealth Public Broadcasting Corporation. The broadcaster's original stations were WNVT in Goldvein, Virginia, and WNVC in Fairfax, Virginia, which served the Washington, D.C., television market. International programming began on WNVC in 1996, branded "World View TV". In 2001, the two stations became known as MHz Networks, with WNVC becoming MHz1 and WNVT becoming MHz2.
In the digital television era, WNVC and WNVT placed a set of twelve international news channels on their two signals. The final set of channels consisted of TRT World, CGTN America, CGTN Documentary, Africa Today TV, France 24, CNC World, Arirang, TeleSUR, Deutsche Welle, and Vietnet. Previous channels included NHK World, BVN, Al Jazeera English, Blue Ocean Network, SABC News International, NTA, Ethiopian Television, RT America, RT Spanish, VTV4, Euronews, CNC World, and TRT Türk.[1] Two months before the end of broadcast operations in Washington, on February 1, 2018, RT America was dropped from WNVC's signal, apparently due to concerns that MHz Networks or CPBC would be required to register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act.[2]
In 2013, Commonwealth Public Broadcasting Corporation spun off the MHz Networks unit and sold the WNVC and WNVT towers. On April 1, 2018, MHz Networks exited the Washington, D.C. market after CPBC sold the stations' channel allocations in the Federal Communications Commission's ongoing spectrum reallocation auction.
In November 2022, MHz Networks was acquired by film distribution and home video company Kino Lorber.[3]
MHz Worldview
[edit] | |
| Country | United States |
|---|---|
| Programming | |
| Picture format | 480i (SDTV) |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | MHz Networks |
| History | |
| Launched | October 19, 2005 |
| Closed | March 1, 2020 |
| Links | |
| Website | mhznetworks |
MHz Worldview was an independent, American, non-commercial public television network that broadcast newscasts and other programs from around the world. It was owned and operated by MHz Networks.
MHz Worldview offered international newscasts, foreign dramas, music performances, and diversity programming, in English or with subtitles.
The channel was available as a subchannel on several U.S. public TV stations.
On January 8, 2020, MHz Networks announced the closure of MHz Worldview as they transition to digital streaming services.[4] The network shut down at Midnight Eastern Time on March 1, 2020.[5] Near the closure, the many television stations that had programming from MHz switched to different networks. Five stations switched to World Channel, another five to First Nations Experience and another five to DW. MHz Worldview was the main affiliate for WPPT and they switched to PBS. WCFE-TV switched to NHK World-Japan. KMOS-TV started its new independent channel in subchannel 6.3, named KMOS Emerge. KUEN now carries local programming on subchannel 9.2, previously used by MHz Worldview. KWSU-TV removed subchannel 10.3 after MHz Worldview was closed.
Former affiliates
[edit]MHz Choice
[edit] | |
| Country | United States and Canada |
|---|---|
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Kino Lorber |
| History | |
| Launched | October 20, 2015 |
On October 20, 2015, MHz Networks launched an OTT streaming video on demand SVOD service called MHz Choice (pronounced "M-H-Z Choice") in the U.S. The service expanded into Canada in September 2017.
MHz Choice features mysteries, dramas and comedies from MHz Networks' catalog of international programs, unedited with English subtitles. The direct to consumer service is available on the web at mhzchoice.com and on a variety of apps including Android, Android TV, Apple TV, iOS, Fire TV, Roku and the Samsung Smart TV app.
MHz Choice Partners
In November 2016, MHz Choice launched on Amazon Prime Video Channels which gave Amazon Prime members the ability to add an MHz Choice subscription to their Amazon Prime account. In October 2018, MHz Choice launched on Comcast's Xfinity X1's over the internet on-demand service.[8] In April 2019, MHz Choice launched on The Roku Channel as part of Roku's Premium Subscription service.[9]
References
[edit]- ^ "MHz in DC". MHz Networks.
- ^ "Russia-backed TV channel RT is gone from DC-area broadcasts". WTOP. Associated Press. 2 April 2018.
- ^ "Kino Lorber Acquires International Streaming Service MHZ Choice". 3 November 2022.
- ^ "Here's How to Keep Watching MHZ Worldview Programming After March 1st". 8 January 2020.
- ^ "Letter from MHZ". 31 January 2020.
- ^ "TV Schedules". Northwest Public Broadcasting. Retrieved April 11, 2020.
- ^ "MHz Broadcast to End". norcalpublicmedia.org. Archived from the original on 2020-02-27.
- ^ Networks, MHz. "MHz Choice SVOD Launches on Comcast Xfinity X1". prnewswire.com (Press release).
- ^ "Roku". Roku.
External links
[edit]MHz Networks
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
MHz Networks is a media company based in Fairfax, Virginia, that distributes foreign-language television programming subtitled in English, primarily consisting of mysteries, dramas, and comedies, to audiences in the United States and Canada.[1]
Originally developed as an extension of American public broadcasting with a focus on international news and content, the network launched its dedicated channel in 1994 and formally established operations around 2001.[2][3]
It provides access through linear television channels such as MHz Worldview, free ad-supported streaming via MHz Mysteries, and the subscription video-on-demand platform MHz Choice, which debuted in 2013 and features exclusive North American premieres of series like Babylon Berlin.[1][4][5]
In November 2022, MHz Networks was acquired by the independent film distributor Kino Lorber, expanding its library to include thousands of hours of international titles available via streaming and DVD partnerships.[6][7]
History
Founding and early development (1994–2000s)
MHz Networks was founded in 1993 by Frederick Thomas as a subsidized public-access channel in the Washington, D.C. area, initially focusing on international programming to serve diplomats, expatriates, and immigrant communities.[8] The venture leveraged Virginia-based public television stations WNVC (channel 23, Fairfax) and WNVT (channel 53, Goldvein), which had operated as non-commercial educational outlets since the 1970s, to broadcast foreign-language content including news, films, and documentaries.[2] Early efforts targeted the top ethnic populations identified in the 1990 U.S. Census, starting with French-language newscasts subtitled in English and nighttime French cinema screenings.[8][2] In 1994, the stations reoriented toward a dedicated foreign programming model, rebranding as World View TV and supplementing PBS daytime schedules with international news from multiple languages, films from over 50 countries, sports events like soccer and rugby, and local community-issue programs for the D.C. region's diverse residents.[2] By 1995, a partnership with the U.S. State Department facilitated direct antenna feeds from embassies, enhancing access to global content for underserved audiences.[8] This period marked the network's shift from general public broadcasting to a niche provider of uncut, subtitled foreign media, filling a gap in U.S. television for non-English speakers and culturally specific programming. The network rebranded to MHz Networks in 1999, adopting the name to evoke the multiplicity of broadcast frequencies and channels.[8] Into the early 2000s, it expanded distribution via emerging digital subchannels and satellite technology, broadening reach to additional ethnic groups including Indians, Salvadorans, and Vietnamese while maintaining its core emphasis on authentic international television without domestic editing or dubbing.[2] By the mid-2000s, these efforts had positioned MHz as a key multicast operator on public stations, serving nearly 40 million households through carriage on about 35 affiliates, though linear growth remained tied to public TV infrastructure transitions like the analog-to-digital shift.[2]Expansion of broadcast operations (2000s–2010s)
In the early 2000s, MHz Networks focused on consolidating and enhancing its local broadcast presence in the Washington, D.C. area through the operation of multiple channels via its owned stations, WNVC and WNVT, which supported expanded programming schedules dedicated to international content. The shift to digital broadcasting significantly bolstered these efforts, as the U.S. digital television transition—mandated by Congress and culminating on June 12, 2009—enabled broadcasters to utilize subchannels for multicasting without additional spectrum allocation. This technological advancement allowed MHz Networks to restore and amplify over-the-air availability after periods of limited analog reach, effectively multiplying channel capacity on existing licenses.[9] Post-transition, MHz Networks pursued national expansion by syndicating its flagship MHz Worldview service—featuring international news, documentaries, and scripted series—to digital subchannels of public television stations. Early adopters included WQPT in the Quad Cities market, which launched MHz Worldview on subchannel 24.2 in September 2009, providing 16 hours of daily programming initially.[10] This model proliferated, with carriage agreements enabling distribution to diverse markets; for instance, KLCS in Los Angeles added the service on subchannel 58.4 starting November 1, 2013.[11] By 2011, MHz Networks was supplying content to roughly 30 public TV stations nationwide, leveraging subchannel infrastructure to deliver non-English and subtitled fare to urban and multicultural audiences.[12] In the D.C. market, digital multicasting permitted WNVC and WNVT to offer up to ten subchannels collectively, including dedicated feeds for specific genres like international mysteries and news, thereby deepening local penetration while serving as a hub for national syndication. This subchannel strategy proved cost-effective, as it relied on partnerships with public stations rather than acquiring new full-power licenses, and by the late 2010s, MHz Worldview reached 26 public TV affiliates before the network pivoted toward streaming.[13] The expansion aligned with growing demand for global programming amid increasing immigration and diaspora communities, though carriage remained concentrated on public broadcasters due to the niche appeal of foreign-language content.[14]Transition to digital streaming and discontinuation of linear channels (2015–2020)
In May 2015, MHz Networks introduced MHz Choice, a subscription video-on-demand service providing access to over 2,500 hours of international mystery, drama, and comedy programming from Europe and beyond, subtitled in English and available via apps on platforms including Roku, Amazon, and Apple devices.[15][16] This launch represented an initial foray into digital streaming, complementing the company's existing linear multicast channels while targeting niche audiences seeking unedited foreign content.[8] By March 2018, MHz Networks began scaling back linear operations in key markets, terminating over-the-air broadcast and cable carriage of its international news channels—such as MHz World News and MHz WorldView—in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area effective March 31.[14][17] The decision aligned with broader industry shifts toward internet-based delivery, allowing the company to redirect resources to streaming growth amid declining traditional TV viewership, though MHz Worldview persisted on cable in D.C. and as a multicast on 22 public television stations nationwide.[14] On January 8, 2020, MHz Networks announced the full discontinuation of the MHz Worldview linear channel, a public TV multicast service launched in 2008 featuring global news and scripted fare from over 30 countries, which reached approximately 26 public stations.[13][18] The channel ceased operations at midnight on March 1, 2020, transitioning its content to ad-supported digital platforms like MHz Now for free over-the-top streaming, as linear distribution proved unsustainable against rising costs and cord-cutting trends.[13][18] This move completed the phase-out of broadcast dependencies, emphasizing subscription and free ad-supported streaming models for broader accessibility.[13]Acquisition by Kino Lorber and recent evolution (2020–present)
In September 2022, MHz Networks was acquired by Kino Lorber, a distributor of independent and international films, with the transaction announced publicly on November 3, 2022.[19][20] The deal encompassed MHz Networks' assets, including its subscription video-on-demand service MHz Choice, which specializes in subtitled international television series from Europe, Latin America, and other regions.[7] Following the acquisition, Kino Lorber integrated over 5,000 titles from its library into MHz Choice, expanding the platform's catalog to more than 10,000 hours of content focused on non-U.S. programming.[21][5] Prior to the sale, MHz Networks had pivoted toward digital distribution, launching MHz Now in 2020 as a free ad-supported streaming television (FAST) channel available on platforms including Samsung TV Plus.[19] Post-acquisition, the company maintained this streaming emphasis, with founder Henry Verbeet retaining a board position at Kino Lorber while leadership roles at MHz were filled by industry executives such as Ed Carroll as chief strategy officer and Lisa Schwartz in management.[19][22] In May 2023, Kino Lorber formed a joint venture with First Look Media to launch a new subscription streaming service built on the MHz Choice platform, further leveraging MHz's technology and curation expertise for additional international content distribution.[22][23] This partnership aimed to enhance content accessibility without altering MHz Choice's core focus on subtitled foreign-language series.[23] As of 2025, MHz Networks continues operations under Kino Lorber Media Group, emphasizing digital expansion and partnerships for DVD distribution of MHz Choice titles.[1][24]Operations and infrastructure
Headquarters and Washington, D.C. facilities
MHz Networks maintains its headquarters at 2750 Prosperity Avenue, Suite 430, in Fairfax, Virginia, a suburb within the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.[25] This location serves as the primary operational base for the company's administrative, programming curation, and digital distribution activities following its acquisition by Kino Lorber in November 2022, with no reported relocation of staff or functions.[3] The Fairfax office supports the management of MHz Choice streaming service and content acquisition strategies, leveraging proximity to the capital for international media partnerships.[26] In addition to its Virginia headquarters, MHz Networks operates studio facilities at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center in Washington, D.C., facilitating production of original content and events tied to its international programming focus.[27] [28] These D.C. studios have historically supported collaborations with public diplomacy entities and enabled localized tapings, though the company's shift to digital streaming since 2018 has reduced reliance on over-the-air broadcasting from nearby Virginia transmitters like WNVC and WNVT, which were discontinued.[14] The Reagan Building location provides access to federal and international trade networks, aligning with MHz's emphasis on global television curation for North American audiences.[27]Distribution and carriage agreements
MHz Networks distributed its MHz Worldview channel primarily via digital multicast subchannels on public television stations, leveraging must-carry provisions for non-commercial educational broadcasters under FCC regulations. By early 2020, the channel reached viewers through 26 such stations nationwide, including WYCC-20.2 in Chicago, WHYY-12.3 in Philadelphia, and WLAE-32.2 in New Orleans.[13][29][30] The network secured carriage agreements with select multichannel video programming distributors (MVPDs) for broader reach. Nationally, DirecTV included MHz Worldview on channel 2183 as part of its international package, with satellite distribution via Galaxy 19 transponder 27 (channel 949), until the provider discontinued carriage effective September 30, 2019.[31] Regionally, agreements enabled availability on cable systems such as Comcast (e.g., channel 247 in New York City and 372 in Chicago), Cox Communications (including in Washington, D.C.), Cablevision (channels 15 and 18 in New York), AT&T U-verse (channel 66 in New York), and Verizon FiOS.[32][33][14] In the Washington, D.C. designated market area, MHz Networks terminated its broadcast over-the-air and most cable carriage agreements effective March 31, 2018, amid economic pressures and the incentive auction of broadcast spectrum, though limited access persisted via Cox.[14][17] Following the full discontinuation of linear MHz Worldview distribution in February 2020 to prioritize streaming, the company ceased pursuing traditional MVPD carriage deals.[13]Technical broadcasting details
MHz Networks transmitted its programming via digital terrestrial television in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area using two dedicated stations: WNVC on UHF channel 24 and WNVT on UHF channel 30.[34] These full-service facilities supported multiple virtual subchannels, with up to ten simultaneous feeds multiplexed into each 6 MHz RF channel to deliver diverse international content.[35] The over-the-air signals adhered to the ATSC A/53 standard, employing 8VSB modulation for robust transmission within the allocated bandwidth, achieving data rates up to 19.39 Mbps per channel.[36] Programming was primarily in standard definition (480i resolution at 29.97 frames per second), sourced from global broadcasters and compressed using MPEG-2 video codec with AC-3 Dolby Digital audio to optimize multiplexing efficiency.[36] Virtual channel numbering was mapped consistently to 30.x across both physical channels for viewer seamlessness, facilitating carriage on local public television multicasts elsewhere via similar ATSC-compliant subchannels.[35] This setup transitioned fully to digital post-2009 DTV switchover, prior to the network's cessation of linear OTA operations on April 1, 2018, following spectrum auction sales.[34] For cable and satellite distribution, signals were adapted to QAM modulation standards compatible with multichannel providers, though primary emphasis remained on unencrypted OTA accessibility to promote public access to foreign-language news and dramas.[14] No adoption of ATSC 3.0 occurred, as the shift to streaming via MHz Choice rendered linear technical upgrades obsolete by 2020.[14]Programming and content strategy
MHz Worldview channel
MHz Worldview operated as an independent, non-commercial public television network delivering international newscasts, scripted dramas, and cultural programming to U.S. audiences, emphasizing content sourced from global broadcasters in English or with subtitles.[37] Launched in 2008, the channel aimed to provide a broader worldview by featuring news and entertainment from over 15 countries, including mysteries such as Detective Montalbano and historical dramas like A French Village.[13][38] The channel's programming strategy prioritized uncensored international perspectives, with prime-time slots dedicated to foreign-language series subtitled for accessibility, alongside daily news bulletins from outlets like France 24 to counter domestic media monoculture.[38] Diversity programming included music performances and public affairs shows, curated to highlight non-U.S. viewpoints on global events, politics, and culture without editorial overlay from American networks.[13] This approach distinguished it from mainstream U.S. public broadcasting by aggregating raw feeds from foreign public service media, fostering exposure to varied narratives often absent in stateside coverage.[37] Distributed primarily as a multicast subchannel on 26 public television stations, MHz Worldview reached viewers via over-the-air digital signals, cable carriage, and satellite services like DirecTV until its linear broadcast concluded on February 29, 2020.[13] Post-discontinuation, select news and entertainment content transitioned to MHz Networks' streaming platforms, such as MHz Now for live international news on devices like Samsung TV Plus, reflecting a strategic pivot to on-demand access amid declining linear viewership.[13] The shift preserved the channel's core mission of global content curation while adapting to digital consumption trends, with archived programming integrated into subscription-based services like MHz Choice.[18]MHz Choice streaming service
MHz Choice is a subscription video-on-demand streaming service operated by MHz Networks, launched on May 3, 2015, as the first U.S.-based platform dedicated to European television series.[15] It provides access to international programming, including mysteries, dramas, and comedies from countries such as Italy, France, Germany, and Scandinavia, presented unedited with English subtitles.[4] The service emphasizes curated, high-quality foreign-language content not widely available on mainstream U.S. platforms, targeting audiences interested in global storytelling.[39] Content on MHz Choice includes over 100 series and films, with a focus on genres like Nordic noir and crime dramas, such as Murder in... and Tatort, alongside comedies and historical pieces.[40] New episodes and seasons premiere regularly, with schedules announced monthly, ensuring a steady stream of fresh international titles.[41] Programming is sourced from European broadcasters and producers, maintaining original aspect ratios and audio tracks to preserve authenticity.[42] Subscriptions cost $7.99 per month or $79.99 per year, with no long-term commitment required, and are available exclusively in the United States and Canada.[43] Viewers can access the service directly via its website, apps on Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, and other devices, or through integrations like Amazon Prime Video Channels and The Roku Channel.[44] Following MHz Networks' acquisition by Kino Lorber in November 2022, the platform has expanded its library and distribution options while retaining its niche focus on subtitled international TV.[6]