WEST (TV network)
 | |
| Type | Broadcast television network (classic westerns) |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Broadcast area | 43.85% OTA coverage[1] |
| Affiliates | see § Affiliates |
| Headquarters | Chicago, Illinois |
| Programming | |
| Language(s) | English |
| Picture format |
|
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Weigel Broadcasting |
| Sister channels | |
| History | |
| Launched | September 29, 2025 |
| Links | |
| Website | westtelevision |
| Availability | |
| Streaming media | |
| Service(s): | Frndly TV |
WEST (a backronym for Western Entertainment Series Television) is an American broadcast television network owned by Weigel Broadcasting. The network airs a variety of classic western series.
History
[edit]On June 17, 2025, Weigel announced they would launch a new network dedicated solely to classic Western television series.[2] The network was set to launch in fall 2025.[3]
During summer 2025, the network was slated for Weigel-only stations only (with the flagship station WCIU being the first)[1], then in September (more than a week before the launch), the network announced the launch in other television markets.[4]
On September 18, 2025, Weigel announced that the day of launch will be on September 29.[5]
Programming
[edit]This is the list of programs that airs on the network:[6][7][8][9]
Monday-Friday
[edit]- Guns of Paradise: Initial show the network launched with.
- Daniel Boone
- The Big Valley
- The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp
- Lawman
- Have Gun, Will Travel
- The Virginian
- Laramie
- Gunsmoke
- Bonanza
- The Wild Wild West
- Rawhide
- Wanted: Dead or Alive
- The Restless Gun
- The Adventures of Jim Bowie
- The Californians
- Colt .45
- The Texan
Weekends
[edit]- Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman
- The Waltons
- Wagon Train
- Maverick
- Cheyenne
- Bronco
- Sugarfoot
- Lancer
- Branded
- Iron Horse
- The High Chaparral
Affiliates
[edit]At launch, WEST was available in 46 television markets across the country, including most major markets. The network was also available at launch through Dish, along with TDS Telecom's IPTV service and Frndly TV, with some cable distribution in markets where Weigel stations are available.[4][10]
Stations with bold channel numbers are owned by Weigel.
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Stations for Network - West". RabbitEars. Archived from the original on July 17, 2025. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
- ^ Petski, Denise (June 17, 2025). "Weigel Broadcasting Sets Fall Launch For WEST Network; Will Air Classic Western Series 'Gunsmoke', 'Bonanza', 'Rawhide', More". Deadline. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
- ^ Schneider, Michael (June 17, 2025). "Weigel Broadcasting Launches 'WEST' New Broadcast Channel Devoted to Westerns This Fall". Variety. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
- ^ a b Novak, Lauren (September 18, 2025). "MeTV's New Spinoff Channel Devoted to Classic Westerns Launches September 2025". Remind Magazine. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
- ^ Petski, Denise (September 18, 2025). "Weigel Broadcasting Sets Launch Date For WEST Network". Deadline. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
- ^ Miller, Mark K. (June 17, 2025). "Weigel Broadcasting To Launch WEST Network". TV News Check. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
- ^ Mitovich, Matt Webb (June 17, 2025). "WEST All-Westerns Network to Air Gunsmoke, Bonanza, The Virginian and More — Watch Gunslingin' Promo". TVLine. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
- ^ Berman, Marc (June 17, 2025). "WEST-Western Entertainment Series Television To Launch This Fall". Forbes. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
- ^ https://www.westtelevision.com/shows
- ^ Bouma, Luke (September 29, 2025). "Frndly TV Adds a New Channel As Roku's Live TV Streaming Service Continues to Grow". Cord Cutters News. Retrieved September 30, 2025.
- ^ "Future WEST Stations". WEST. Retrieved September 18, 2025.