Mumbai: On the heels of the launch of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc.’s (MGM) 24/7 linear digital channel THIS, the studio has signed affiliate agreements with 40 station groups across the US with launches slated for the next six months.

The stations include Fisher Communications, Inc., Hearst-Argyle Television, Inc., Post-Newsweek Stations, Inc., and Sinclair Broadcast Group.

This announcement was made by MGM executive vice president broadcast strategy John Bryan and Weigel Broadcasting executive vice president Neal Sabin.

THIS, a collective effort between MGM and Chicago-based Weigel Broadcasting Company, is a turn-key solution for broadcasters looking for an economical way to serve more viewers. THIS has resonated with viewers since the service’s November 1 launch, outperforming established commercial stations and programming in only its first month of broadcast.

With movies being the staple of the schedule, THIS is off to a fast start. In Milwaukee, the THIS premiere movie Little Monsters outperformed eight stations in the marketplace. Little Monsters was #3 in the time period, beating the CBS station and seven other independent stations while tying ABC and MyNetwork. It beat such time period programs as two CBS sports specials, Cold Squad and children’s and classic programming.