New national digital networks Escape and Grit will flip the on switch August 18 at 12 Noon Eastern.

Katz Broadcasting (part-owner of African-American diginet Bounce TV) is launching the gender-targeted networks, with Escape targeting women and Grit going after men.

As mentioned in previous posts, Escape will air female-skewed movies and off-cable true crime series. Grit will program action and adventure movies skewing to men. Escape’s first program will be Body Heat, the 1981 film starring William Hurt and Kathleen Turner. Grit kicks things off with the classic Gary Cooper western High Noon.

Both Escape and Grit will be carried on the digital sub channels of broadcast stations reaching over 50% of U.S. households. For more info on programming and where to watch, visit the Escape and Grit websites.

Broadcasting & Cable is reporting one of the founders of African-American diginet BounceTV is looking to launch two new digital broadcast networks this summer.

According to B&C, Jonathan Katz has started his own company (Katz Broadcasting) that will debut the female-targeted Escape and the male-focused Grit later this year. Both networks plan to air theatrical movies and off-network programs (hopefully including some classic TV in the mix 🙂 )

Katz reportedly has a deal in place with Spanish broadcaster Univision. This would give the new networks carriage in such major markets as New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Dallas.