Digital progressive news network The Young Turks (TYT) has launched a 24-hour linear channel on Comcast’s Xfinity X1, a set-top box and software platform that enables users to access a variety of streaming content.
This isn’t the first time that TYT, which rose to renown on YouTube, has launched 24/7 programming — though it is the company’s latest expansion ahead of the 2020 Presidential Election. Earlier this year, the company launched comparable ventures on OTT service Xumo TV and the Viacom-owned, ad-supported Pluto TV. And prior to that, TYT rolled out linear channels on YouTube TV, The Roku Channel, and Samsung TV+ devices. Across all platforms (not only TVs), TYT says that its content generates 200 million monthly views.
Notable TYT programming includes its flagship The Young Turks news broadcast, hosted by co-founder Cenk Uygur, as well as John Iadarola’s The Damage Report. The network has also interviewed 2020 Presidential candidates Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, as well as Andrew Yang.
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“This launch on X1 means viewers can now more easily enjoy quality programming from TYT directly on the TV,” Jack Gerard, TYT’s interim COO, said in a statement. “New viewers can expect no holds barred discussions on news and politics featuring our vocal progressive hosts.”
In other TYT news, Uygur filed with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) last month to run for congress in California for the Democratic seat vacated by former Rep. Katie Hill, who resigned from office following a House Ethics Committee investigation into an alleged sexual relationship that she had with one of her staffers. Uygur endorsed Sen. Sanders in 2016, as well as in the 2020 Democratic primary. He will be relinquishing editorial oversight of TYT in the wake of his run, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
