As we start Halloween 2025, Comet TV, the pioneering over-the-air digital network dedicated to science fiction, horror, and adventure programming, is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. Launched exactly a decade ago on October 31, 2015, the channel has carved out a unique niche in the evolving landscape of free television, drawing millions of viewers to its eclectic lineup of cult classics and forgotten gems without demanding a single subscription fee.
The milestone comes as Comet continues expanding its reach. The network has increased household coverage by 80% since launch and secured distribution on YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo, Sling TV, and Dish Network, becoming one of the first multicast channels available on major streaming platforms.
What began as an audacious experiment in multicast broadcasting has blossomed into a cornerstone of Sinclair Broadcast Group's portfolio. Owned outright by Sinclair since 2020, Comet operates as a joint legacy venture, with day-to-day programming and content curation handled through a longstanding partnership with Amazon MGM Studios - the rebranded arm of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer following Amazon's 2022 acquisition of the storied Hollywood powerhouse. This collaboration leverages MGM's vast archives, ensuring Comet remains a treasure trove of more than 1,500 hours of genre-spanning content, from pulse-pounding space operas to spine-chilling supernatural thrillers. Sinclair provides the nationwide distribution muscle, beaming the signal via digital subchannels on its extensive station group, while Amazon MGM infuses the schedule with high-caliber titles that keep cord-cutters and antenna enthusiasts hooked.
The network's milestone comes at a pivotal moment for over-the-air television. With streaming services proliferating and cable subscriptions dwindling, free ad-supported TV like Comet has surged in popularity. Nielsen data shows OTA viewership climbing by nearly 90 percent since 2015, as households rediscover the simplicity of plugging in an antenna for crystal-clear, no-cost entertainment. Comet's primetime ratings among adults 25-54 have outpaced many cable counterparts, proving that in an era of endless choices, familiarity and zero barriers win the day.
To understand Comet's enduring appeal, one must rewind to its origins amid the digital transition of the mid-2010s. Sinclair, already a dominant force in local broadcasting with ownership or operation of nearly 200 stations reaching 85 percent of U.S. households, spotted an opportunity in the unused spectrum of digital subchannels. These "hidden" airwaves, freed up after the 2009 switch from analog to digital TV, allowed stations to air multiple feeds simultaneously - a boon for filling airtime without additional costs. In 2014, Sinclair dipped its toes into this pool with the launch of the American Sports Network, a precursor to broader diginet ambitions. But it was the sci-fi bug that truly ignited the fire.
The short history of Comet TV unfolds like one of its own time-bending plots. In early 2015, amid whispers of untapped potential in genre programming, Sinclair forged its inaugural partnership with MGM. The studio, renowned for blockbusters like the James Bond franchise and timeless epics such as Ben-Hur, boasted an underutilized library of speculative fiction ripe for revival. Stargate SG-1 episodes gathered dust alongside B-movies like Moonraker and The Terminator, waiting for a platform that could resurrect them for modern audiences. Sinclair saw synergy: its station group could distribute the content nationally, while MGM handled curation, ensuring a 24/7 schedule tailored to fans craving escapism.
Announced in August 2015 as an unnamed sci-fi venture, the network quickly coalesced around the evocative moniker "Comet," evoking shooting stars and cosmic wonder. Debuting on Halloween - a nod to its horror leanings - the inaugural broadcast featured Johnny Sokko and His Flying Robot, followed by a double bill of Arnold Schwarzenegger's The Terminator and Roger Moore's Moonraker. From day one, Comet targeted 60 percent of U.S. TV households through affiliation deals with Sinclair's stations and independents alike. By mid-2016, that footprint expanded to 72 percent, blanketing 72 markets from coast to coast.
Early programming leaned heavily on MGM's vault, blending high-octane action with cerebral tales. Viewers tuned in for marathons of Star Trek: The Original Series, eerie episodes of The Outer Limits, and kaiju rampages from the Godzilla series. In a clever 2016 coup, Comet secured rights to full-length installments of Mystery Science Theater 3000, the cult hit that riffed on schlocky sci-fi flicks - a meta delight that aired in expanded Sunday night blocks. This move not only boosted engagement but also underscored Comet's wink-at-the-audience ethos, differentiating it from broader retro networks like MeTV or Antenna TV.
Challenges arose, as they do in any bold launch. Some affiliates preempted slots for local sports from Sinclair's American Sports Network, fragmenting the feed in select markets. Yet resilience defined the network's trajectory. By 2017, Comet ventured into over-the-top streaming, debuting on Roku and Apple TV channels to capture younger demographics ditching traditional TV. This hybrid model - OTA core with digital extensions - proved prescient, especially as Amazon entered the fray. The 2022 MGM buyout by Amazon for $8.45 billion supercharged the partnership, injecting tech-savvy distribution and fresh restorations of classics. Today, Comet streams on platforms like FuboTV, YouTube TV, Sling, and Dish, alongside its free OTA backbone, reaching beyond 100 million potential viewers.
Over the decade, Comet has evolved while staying true to its roots. The schedule now mixes evergreen staples with timely acquisitions, such as revamped runs of Babylon 5 and occasional nods to contemporary hits like The Expanse (via MGM ties). Horror has gained prominence, with Friday night fright fests featuring everything from slashers to supernatural sagas. Milestone events, like themed anniversary marathons, have drawn record tune-ins; last year's "Decade of Dimensions" retrospective pulled in a 15 percent ratings spike.
Sinclair's broader diginet empire - including the action-packed Charge! (another MGM-Sinclair alum from 2017) and lifestyle-focused The Nest - has amplified Comet's reach. Recent expansions added the network to major CBS affiliates in New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, and San Francisco, positioning it adjacent to Big Four broadcasts for maximum visibility. Amazon MGM's operational oversight ensures seamless integration, blending archival polish with algorithmic insights to optimize viewer retention.
As Comet hurtles into its second decade, it stands as a testament to the power of free, accessible storytelling. In a fragmented media world, where paywalls abound, this unassuming subchannel reminds us that the best adventures are often the ones broadcast straight from the ether - no login required. With whispers of interactive AR tie-ins and expanded Amazon Prime crossovers on the horizon, the network's orbit shows no signs of decaying. For sci-fi devotees, the signal remains strong: the future is bright, bizarre, and beaming free to anyone with an antenna pointed skyward.