Jay Walker’s New Prime-Time Show Will Launch Locally in Jacksonville Before a National Rollout

Signed and scheduled: a local premiere, then a wider push

Jay Walker has signed a new television distribution deal for his show “Jay Walker: PRIME TIME,” and the plan is simple: start local, then go national. The program will air first on WFOX in Jacksonville, giving local viewers early access. After that initial run, the show will be rolled out nationwide on the REVIVE network during 2026.

The agreement, announced in a public release, puts a clear timeline on the launch without turning the rollout into a surprise. Local audiences in Jacksonville will be the first to judge the format and tone. The broader national release next year will give the show a chance to build momentum before competing with long-running prime-time entrants.

Where the show will appear and how distribution is structured

The public summary of the deal lists WFOX Jacksonville as the home station for the local launch and REVIVE as the national distributor for the 2026 rollout. The approach is a staggered distribution model: a local-first window followed by a wider syndication through REVIVE’s channels and affiliate partners.

Financial details and precise licensing terms were not disclosed in the public announcement. The release emphasized the timing and the partners involved rather than the monetary mechanics. That suggests the parties wanted viewers and advertisers to focus on when and where the show will appear, while leaving contract specifics private.

This kind of two-step rollout is common for new programs that want to test formatting, audience response and ad interest in one market before scaling a full national campaign. It also gives the show a chance to refine its production and marketing message using local feedback.

Who Jay Walker is and why his name matters to the project

Jay Walker is an entrepreneur and presenter who has built a public profile around business ventures and media projects. His name carries recognition, which is a major part of the show’s pitch. A familiar host can draw initial viewers, help land sponsors and open doors at local stations looking for proven talent.

For a new show, that recognition reduces some risk for programmers. Local stations like WFOX can promote a debut with a ready story: a known figure bringing a new program to town. For Walker, the local start gives him a controlled environment to test the format before the national push.

Words from the release and from partners

In the announcement, Walker framed the deal as a chance to engage both local viewers and a broader audience. “I’m excited to bring this show to Jacksonville first and then to audiences across the country,” he said, noting the team’s focus on entertainment and connection.

A representative of WFOX highlighted the benefits for local viewers and advertisers, saying the partnership delivers new, locally accessible prime-time programming. REVIVE’s comments in the release focused on the network’s role in helping the show reach viewers in multiple markets during the 2026 rollout.

What the new show means for Jacksonville viewers and the TV schedule

This move matters most to Jacksonville viewers in the short term. A local premiere gives the community an exclusive window to see and react to the program before it appears anywhere else. For viewers, that can mean more local promotion, station events and a louder local marketing push than a straight-to-national launch would generate.

For WFOX, adding a new prime-time title is a programming bet. Stations plan prime-time schedules carefully because those hours attract the largest audiences and the highest advertising rates. If the show draws viewers, WFOX can sell ad time at a premium and use early ratings success to push REVIVE and other potential partners on its national potential.

For REVIVE and its affiliate partners, the two-step plan lets them watch how the show performs and possibly shape the national rollout around proven segments or formats. If the show tests well locally, it will arrive in 2026 with a clearer identity and a better case for advertisers. If it doesn’t, the network can adjust plans, either by retooling the series or by limiting the initial rollout.

Broadly, the deal reflects a cautious strategy in a crowded TV landscape. Networks and stations today balance linear broadcast, streaming and short-form platforms. Launching locally first reduces upfront exposure while keeping the door open for national scale if the show shows promise.

How to watch and who to contact

Viewers should check WFOX Jacksonville listings for the exact local airtime when the station confirms the schedule. REVIVE will announce its national broadcast plan and times ahead of the 2026 rollout. For press or partnership questions, the show’s public announcement includes contact details for the production team and station public relations offices.

Sources

• prnewswire.com