KYES could go dark if not sold to Gray

[mvcg66b3r]

In order to preserve the local television service that KYES-TV provides, Fireweed urges the Commission to expeditiously process the Assignment Application. For the reasons discussed below, Fireweed cannot guarantee that it will be able to continue operations of KYES-TV. Absent prompt FCC action, the Station is likely to go off the air and will be unlikely to return to service in the foreseeable future.

https://licensing.fcc.gov/cdbs/CDBS...?appn=101725096&qnum=5000&copynum=1&exhcnum=1

GCI, Alaska's dominant cable provider, is opposing Fireweed's request.

This last ditch effort exemplifies that, instead of focusing on curing its incomplete and unpersuasive application, Fireweed sat on its hands waiting for FCC action. The FCC should not reward Fireweed’s self-made crisis by granting the pending application, which could have potentially serious anti-competitive effects on the Anchorage broadcast market.

https://licensing.fcc.gov/cdbs/CDBS...?appn=101725974&qnum=5000&copynum=1&exhcnum=2

 

[mvcg66b3r]

The FCC has approved Gray's purchase of KYES, on the condition that KYES not sign an affiliation agreement with a Big 4 network, which would result in KYES becoming a Top 4 station. This condition lasts for two years.
https://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2016/db0617/DA-16-692A1.pdf

 

[Frequency1]

The FCC has approved Gray's purchase of KYES, on the condition that KYES not sign an affiliation agreement with a Big 4 network, which would result in KYES becoming a Top 4 station. This condition lasts for two years.
https://transition.fcc.gov/Daily_Releases/Daily_Business/2016/db0617/DA-16-692A1.pdf

KYES has filed a notice of consummation of the sale from Fireweed to Gray.

 

[only1moore]

This deal is not surprising, given the new rules the FCC put in place which now places restrictions on affiliation deals after a station is sold to another company.