Allbritton Next on the Block?

[nomadcowatbk]

Sinclair?

Not in Washington, Birmingham, or Charleston. Sinclair couldn't afford (financially or legal capacity) to acquire WJLA. In Birmingham, they already own WTTO and WABM, so nope. In Charleston, they won WTAT and WMMP.

they bought large market KOMO, don't know if they're keeping it

 

[Kent]

I thought broadcasters couldn't own a radio or TV station in the same market with a cable system owned by the same company? Unless they sought a waiver, or Cox planned on selling off its cable system.

If I remember correctly, either Cox Communications or CMG was spun off to the shareholders a few years ago. While there is a small amount of co-ownership, they're operated separately and are sufficiently different in ownership. So, they're no longer the same for FCC purposes.

 

[Morgan Wick]

I thought broadcasters couldn't own a radio or TV station in the same market with a cable system owned by the same company? Unless they sought a waiver, or Cox planned on selling off its cable system.

If I remember correctly, either Cox Communications or CMG was spun off to the shareholders a few years ago. While there is a small amount of co-ownership, they're operated separately and are sufficiently different in ownership. So, they're no longer the same for FCC purposes.

In any case, it's not a problem for Comcast.

 

[kilamanjero]

I have a feeling that the potential buyers are ABC/Disney (due to WJLA forcing them either go with the all or none approach to the group), Scripps, and Hearst.

As I mentioned before, it can't be Scripps or Hearst, due to DC's close proximity with Baltimore, which has Scripps' WMAR and Hearst's WBAL.

Not in DC or Tulsa, at least -- Cox has cable systems in those areas.

Cox already has KMYT and KOKI in Tulsa.

I thought broadcasters couldn't own a radio or TV station in the same market with a cable system owned by the same company? Unless they sought a waiver, or Cox planned on selling off its cable system.

I wouldn't rule out Hearst and Scripps because although they are close by, but these are 2 different DMAs.

 

[nomadcowatbk]

I have a feeling that the potential buyers are ABC/Disney (due to WJLA forcing them either go with the all or none approach to the group), Scripps, and Hearst.

As I mentioned before, it can't be Scripps or Hearst, due to DC's close proximity with Baltimore, which has Scripps' WMAR and Hearst's WBAL.

Not in DC or Tulsa, at least -- Cox has cable systems in those areas.

Cox already has KMYT and KOKI in Tulsa.

I thought broadcasters couldn't own a radio or TV station in the same market with a cable system owned by the same company? Unless they sought a waiver, or Cox planned on selling off its cable system.

I wouldn't rule out Hearst and Scripps because although they are close by, but these are 2 different DMAs.

same with Sinclai

 

[ding12]

Walt Disney/ ABC buying WJLA would be terrific since ABC already operates a news bureau in Washington, DC and for competitive reasons for both the Washington, DC and Baltimore, Maryland TV DMA

I don't think WJLA would serve the Baltimore DMA. It's a fallback but some station in Baltimore, WMAR currently and foresee ably in the future, will continue to be an affiliate.

 

[ding12]

As I mentioned before, it can't be Scripps or Hearst, due to DC's close proximity with Baltimore, which has Scripps' WMAR and Hearst's WBAL.

If they had to, they'd buy the DC station and sell the Baltimore one. But selling Baltimore might not even be forced. DC is too good to pass.

 

[Markxxx]

Historically the networks haven't seemed to be in a rush to buy DC stations. Fox did but that was only to get a VHF channel and NBC owned one from the early days. But ABC and CBS seemed satisfied with their affiliate owners.

Let me ask the engineer types, is there any good reason for anyone to want to buy the station for their actual channels? I would assume DC would be crowded with TV signals and maybe the station in DC would offer a good chance to jump on a better signal?

 

[KeithE4]

Historically the networks haven't seemed to be in a rush to buy DC stations. Fox did but that was only to get a VHF channel and NBC owned one from the early days. But ABC and CBS seemed satisfied with their affiliate owners.

Fox got WTTG in the Metromedia (the company originally known as Dumont) deal, along with WNEW (WNYW) New York - the other remaining ex-Dumont station, WFLD Chicago, KTTV Los Angeles, and a few others. They needed O&Os to guarantee big-market clearance for the new network.

 

[kilamanjero]

I have a feeling that the potential buyers are ABC/Disney (due to WJLA forcing them either go with the all or none approach to the group), Scripps, and Hearst.

As I mentioned before, it can't be Scripps or Hearst, due to DC's close proximity with Baltimore, which has Scripps' WMAR and Hearst's WBAL.

Not in DC or Tulsa, at least -- Cox has cable systems in those areas.

Cox already has KMYT and KOKI in Tulsa.

I thought broadcasters couldn't own a radio or TV station in the same market with a cable system owned by the same company? Unless they sought a waiver, or Cox planned on selling off its cable system.

I wouldn't rule out Hearst and Scripps because although they are close by, but these are 2 different DMAs.

same with Sinclai

Exactly, but Sinclair's debt load is too high for them borrow enough to afford WJLA alone. On the other hand, Scripps nor Hearst wouldn't have a problem with purchasing another station at the moment.

 

[Morgan Wick]

I wonder if owning WMAR would make Scripps MORE likely to want to acquire WJLA?

 

[ding12]

I wonder if owning WMAR would make Scripps MORE likely to want to acquire WJLA?

The close proximity works in favor. But, I'd think Hearst would want it too.

While Hearst might be the best affiliate owner fit for WJLA, really Disney should want WJLA and not let Scripps or some other affiliate owner (with exception of a few big affiliate groups) run it. It's not like Scripps WMAR is a strong station, and bringing that lethargy into a larger market, DC, is a great fit. It's too bad Disney passed on Seattle, and let Sinclair buy the ABC station there.

They need to have stations in the top markets and DC is a strategic fit. Otherwise, release back WABC and KABC, as New York and LA can have more Spanish networks. Then move the ABC network shows to ABC Family around The 700 Club, or locally for NYC and LA, syndicate it for Tribune to schedule the ABC programs around Trisha Goddard, Jerry Springer and Maury, since owning the stations isn't a priority anymore.

Without owning the stations in important markets, the network will lose grip and then flounder.

 

[MarcB]

I like DCRTV Dave's wild card out in left field suggestion - CBS buys WJLA forcing Gannet to make WUSA an ABC affiliate. He also said then CBS could buy Channel 50 from Tribune since CBS has a stake in The CW Network.

 

[bpatrick]

I can't see Gannett giving up WUSA, which has a long history
of dominance in DC. I'd like to see one of two scenarios:

ABC/Disney buys WJLA; you then have three o&os in Washington
and one in Baltimore. Or Media General buys WJLA and makes it
its flagship station.

 

[kilamanjero]

I like DCRTV Dave's wild card out in left field suggestion - CBS buys WJLA forcing Gannet to make WUSA an ABC affiliate. He also said then CBS could buy Channel 50 from Tribune since CBS has a stake in The CW Network.

As much as I like and respect Dave Hughes' opinion, I doubt CBS will get WJLA and/or WDCW. If anything they ought to work out a deal with Gannett to give up WUSA and allow them to operate as an O&O. Disney/ABC has their eyes on WJLA along with the owners of their most dedicated affiliate groups (Hearst and Scripps). One thing I can say about the DC market is that network affiliation changes is something everybody is avoiding since it one of the few major markets where that has not occurred (like Chicago and New York).

 

[kilamanjero]

I can't see Gannett giving up WUSA, which has a long history
of dominance in DC. I'd like to see one of two scenarios:

ABC/Disney buys WJLA; you then have three o&os in Washington
and one in Baltimore. Or Media General buys WJLA and makes it
its flagship station.

I heard that Media General just go out of of debt in the last few months (from their 4 former NBC O&O stations) so I don't know about them affording to get WJLA.

 

[bpatrick]

Ironically, WJLA (or WMAL as it was known then) might have
been an ABC o&o from the beginning if DC had been one of the
five largest markets with a station on Channel 7 in 1948. ABC
picked 7 for its o&os because at the time it was believed the
military would take 2 through 6, making 7 the first and best
position on the dial. However, the top five markets with 7
were New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and
Detroit. So maybe WJLA will finally get o&o status.

Another station I'm surprised ABC doesn't cast an eye on is
WFTV, the Cox-owned station in Orlando. It would be appropriate,
I think, for Disney to own a station in the city where Disney World
is located.

 

[nomadcowatbk]

Ironically, WJLA (or WMAL as it was known then) might have
been an ABC o&o from the beginning if DC had been one of the
five largest markets with a station on Channel 7 in 1948. ABC
picked 7 for its o&os because at the time it was believed the
military would take 2 through 6, making 7 the first and best
position on the dial. However, the top five markets with 7
were New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and
Detroit. So maybe WJLA will finally get o&o status.

Another station I'm surprised ABC doesn't cast an eye on is
WFTV, the Cox-owned station in Orlando. It would be appropriate,
I think, for Disney to own a station in the city where Disney World
is located.

what's the point of having on O&O in Orlando? tourists don't count in the ratings

 

[bpatrick]

There's something I didn't consider until I read your reply:
Orlando is DMA #19, and doesn't Fox have an o&o there
(WOFL)? Tampa has one o&o (WTVT); Miami has two
(WFOR and WTVJ), so I still think--Disney World or no
Disney World--Orlando would make an attractive o&o
market for ABC; the Alphabet Network has o&os in markets
smaller than Orlando (Raleigh/Durham and Fresno, to be precise).

I don't know, however, how profitable WFTV is for Cox; they may
not be willing to sell.

 

[upstate29651]

I wonder if Cox would be interested in any of these.

Not in DC or Tulsa, at least -- Cox has cable systems in those areas.

Also Cox is buying TV in markets it already has radio in, and selling off radio in markets it doesn't have tv in.

G