• Get involved.
    We want your input!
    Apply for Membership and join the conversations about everything related to broadcasting.

    After we receive your registration, a moderator will review it. After your registration is approved, you will be permitted to post.
    If you use a disposable or false email address, your registration will be rejected.

    After your membership is approved, please take a minute to tell us a little bit about yourself.
    https://www.radiodiscussions.com/forums/introduce-yourself.1088/

    Thanks in advance and have fun!
    RadioDiscussions Administrators

Gray buying Raycom for $3.6 billion

In Panama City FL, I see Raycom’s WPGX/ch. 28 as odd station out since Gray already has the WJHG/WECP duopoly.
 
The release indicates WVLT, Knoxville will be retained, Raycom's WTNZ (Fox 43) will be spun off. No mention either way of Gray's WBXX. Wonder if we could see a buyer for WTNZ and the Knoxville Scripps Radio cluster
 
Last edited:
I'm surprised no one has noticed or mentioned that with this deal gets Gray back their first owned/operated tv station WALB in Albany, GA.

The FCC made Gray sell off their home station (WALB) when they bought WCTV Tallahassee because of significant signal overlap even though the stations were in different markets.
 
I wonder if Standard Media will buy any the TV stations being divested since they want to be a big player A.K.A. Media General coming back from the ashes.
 
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Spirit_Media

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/KFVE


Anybody knows on how Raycom's associated company American Spirit media going to handle the transfer of its LMA, SSA or, JSA's to Gray going to play out. Basically American Spirit Media is Gray/Raycom's version of Deer field/Cunningham.

Good question. You would think so, but the press release about the buyout makes me believe Raycom wants to sell & cash out.

Raycom is owned by the Alabama state teachers retirement fund (which explains why Raycom stations show a lot of Alabama themed commercials on its stations). Are they seeking to make the fund more liquid for a large number of pending retirees?

In any event, I'll be glad to see those horrid "tire tread" or "boat shoe" graphics that Raycom uses on their local newcasts.

G
 
Could Nexstar be a player? They could give Panama City a second duopoly if they got WPGX.
 
Nexstar just acquired Media General. I doubt they have much cash on hand.
 
Nexstar might be interested in acquiring the Fox affiliation in Dothan and airing it on WDHN 18-2 and spin off WDFX to a Christian or minority broadcasting group.
 
Nexstar just acquired Media General. I doubt they have much cash on hand.

As of March 31, Nexstar had $115 million in cash on its balance sheet, along with $900 million worth of other "current assets" (mostly accounts receivable). If they wanted to buy a few stations in markets like #154 Panama City piecemeal, I think they have the financial resources to do so.
 
Nexstar might be interested in acquiring the Fox affiliation in Dothan and airing it on WDHN 18-2 and spin off WDFX to a Christian or minority broadcasting group.
Or make it an outright duopoly since neither station poses a serious overlap issue with Nexstar’s Panama City station WMBB.
 
The release indicates WVLT, Knoxville will be retained, Raycom's WTNZ (Fox 43) will be spun off. No mention either way of Gray's WBXX. Wonder if we could see a buyer for WTNZ and the Knoxville Scripps Radio cluster

Then that means WBXX will be retained by Gray too.
 
https://tvnewscheck.com/article/top-news/gray-sioux-falls-purchase-challenged/

Now Gray's Purchase over KDLT is now being challenged

In a potentially precedent-setting proceeding, the American Television Alliance is challenging Gray Television’s request at the FCC for permission to own two top four-rated stations in Sioux Falls, S.D. (DMA 110), citing concerns that the combination would inflate retransmission consent fees and lead to higher cable and satellite prices for consumers.

The challenged was triggered by Gray’s seeking approval for its $32 million purchase of NBC affiliate KDLT in Sioux Falls, a market where it already owns ABC affiliate KSFY.
 
https://tvnewscheck.com/article/top-news/station-trading-roundup-2-deals-16-8m/

Interestingly Gray Television has sold 2 TV Stations to Raycom?


Multistate Deal — PRICE: $4,411,145.78 BUYER: Gray Television Inc (Hilton Howell, Jr, chairman/president/CEO) SELLER: Raycom Media Inc (Patrick LaPlatney, president/CEO

Iowa: KYOU-TV Ottumwa FACILITIES: DTV Ch. 15, 360.000 kW, ant. 1,181ft. AFFILIATION: FOX
Missouri: K30MG-D Kirksville FACILITIES: DTV Ch. 30, 8.200 kW, ant. 413 ft. AFFILIATION: FOX

WUPV-TV Ashland, VA — PRICE: $12,359,665.75 BUYER: Gray Television Inc (Hilton Howell, Jr, chairman/president/CEO) SELLER: Raycom Media Inc (Patrick LaPlatney, president/CEO FACILITIES: DTV Ch 8, 30.000 kW, ant. 827 ft. AFFILIATION: CW COMMENT: American Spirit Media’s WUPV-TV/Ashland, VA, KYOU-TV/Ottumwa, IA, K30MG-D/Kirksville, MO to Raycom Media Inc. The Cash Purchase Price for WUPV-TV is $12,359,665.75. The Cash Purchase Price for KYOU-TV and K30MG-D is $4,411,145.78. Upon consummation of Raycom’s acquisitions of WUPV, KYOU and K30MG-D, Raycom intends to file subsequent applications seeking the Commission’s consent to assign WUPV’s, KYOU’s and K30MG-D licenses to Gray Television per the merger agreement between Raycom and Gray.
 
The release indicates WVLT, Knoxville will be retained, Raycom's WTNZ (Fox 43) will be spun off. No mention either way of Gray's WBXX. Wonder if we could see a buyer for WTNZ and the Knoxville Scripps Radio cluster
First up would be TEGNA (Owners of WBIR 10)

Yes it's a FOX affiliate but it would fall in line with what they're doing

If they don't take it, then I'm thinking Heartland Media (Same with KYTV)

As for NewsOn, I think they can kiss the Raycom stations buh-bye (And HOPE they can lure Nexstar and/or Heartland Media to replace them (Along with Lily Broadcasting, owners of KITV 4 in Honolulu. Without them, NewsOn no longer has a Hawaii outlet)
 
Status
This thread has been closed due to inactivity. You can create a new thread to discuss this topic.


Back
Top Bottom