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KWWL and KTVO up for Sale

Well, that's odd. They say they're looking to focus their holdings in the Midwest and Southeast, and they're selling a station in Cedar Rapids/Waterloo... Iowa...Mid freakin' west.


> Raycom Media plans to sell 12 TV stations including KWWl and
> KTVO.
>
>
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/newyork/ny-bc-ny--rayc> om-tvsales1101nov01,0,5796099.story?coll=ny-region-apnewyork
>
 
> Well, that's odd. They say they're looking to focus their
> holdings in the Midwest and Southeast, and they're selling a
> station in Cedar Rapids/Waterloo... Iowa...Mid freakin'
> west.
>
Seems like their definition of mid west only goes to those areas that
don't see much snow, like Cape Girardeau MO and further south.

Meanwhile, does any one care to speculate on possible suitors?

I'll put in a vote for Pappas.
 
> I'll put in a vote for Pappas.

I think Pappas is the early favorite as well. This cluster of stations is so spread out that it probably has to be a company with a national footprint. I doubt that Raycom would agree to spin off individual properties so that would really hinder a Midwest-based company from buying. I do know that there are no shortage of suitors for KWWL.
 
> > I'll put in a vote for Pappas.
>
> I think Pappas is the early favorite as well. This cluster
> of stations is so spread out that it probably has to be a
> company with a national footprint. I doubt that Raycom would
> agree to spin off individual properties so that would really
> hinder a Midwest-based company from buying. I do know that
> there are no shortage of suitors for KWWL.
>
Going deep into the woods along Speculation Lane, a Pappas
takeover could be interesting especially for the existing
KTVO/KYOU virtual duopoly (KYOU is LMA'd to Raycom.)

Pappas, an aggressive developer of new TV signals, such as
KPWB, and Omaha's KPTM,could see fit to restore a 2000' tower
to KTVO and KYOU. Such a tower would need to be closer to Ottumwa than
the first KTVO 2k-er which was located about 20 miles due
east of Kirksvile*, to get the required city grade signal
for KYOU back to Ottumwa. Still, a tower located about 40
miles SSE of Ottumwa (near Memphis MO) should get a usable
signal, although maybe not grade A to Quincy IL and Hannibal
MO. The Quincy/Hannibal TV market would get a 3rd try at
an ABC signal**, and a fulltime Fox affiliate for the first
time. And, it's quite likely that in such a proposed scenario
the tiny Kirksville Ottumwa TV market would be merged into the
somewhat larger but still quite small Quincy Hannibal market.
Can't speak for the mgmt at KHQA, but their motivation to elect
their current UHF digital channel as their permanent home come
analog sunset may be anticipation of a future move to go
further north and west. It's currently blocked in analog times
by that other Raycom property in question, KWWL-7.

Then again, once we move into digital only times for TV, big
2000 foot towers could become passe:

http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-262082A1.doc

*This tower collapsed in 1987 while crews were making modifi-
cations, sending several men to their death. It hadn't even
been up two years.

**When KTVO fired up the 2000 foot tower in 1986, it represented
the second attempt at a fulltime ABC affiliate in the Quincy
Hannibal market. Here's the first:

http://www.brainmist.com/wjjy_tv/wjjy_tv.htm

(KHQA was a secondary ABC affiliate. It's primary
affiliation has always been CBS)
 
I would be surprised to see all of the Raycom stations sold to only 1 buyer. I would assume just as with the recent sale of the Emmis TV stations, there will be several buyers.

It's been suggested elsewhere, and I agree, that Qunicy Newspapers might be interested in KTVO. They already own nearby WGEM. That would make a nice pair in Northern MO, Southern IA, Western IL. I'm sure they'd be able to share some staff members to cover certain parts of the viewing area that might receive both stations.

I would hate to see Pappas get a hold of KWWL. Pappas is know for their crappy news operations and I'd hate to see them ruin KWWL.



> > > I'll put in a vote for Pappas.
> >
> > I think Pappas is the early favorite as well. This cluster
>
> > of stations is so spread out that it probably has to be a
> > company with a national footprint. I doubt that Raycom
> would
> > agree to spin off individual properties so that would
> really
> > hinder a Midwest-based company from buying. I do know that
>
> > there are no shortage of suitors for KWWL.
> >
> Going deep into the woods along Speculation Lane, a Pappas
> takeover could be interesting especially for the existing
> KTVO/KYOU virtual duopoly (KYOU is LMA'd to Raycom.)
>
> Pappas, an aggressive developer of new TV signals, such as
> KPWB, and Omaha's KPTM,could see fit to restore a 2000'
> tower
> to KTVO and KYOU. Such a tower would need to be closer to
> Ottumwa than
> the first KTVO 2k-er which was located about 20 miles due
> east of Kirksvile*, to get the required city grade signal
> for KYOU back to Ottumwa. Still, a tower located about 40
> miles SSE of Ottumwa (near Memphis MO) should get a usable
> signal, although maybe not grade A to Quincy IL and Hannibal
>
> MO. The Quincy/Hannibal TV market would get a 3rd try at
> an ABC signal**, and a fulltime Fox affiliate for the first
> time. And, it's quite likely that in such a proposed
> scenario
> the tiny Kirksville Ottumwa TV market would be merged into
> the
> somewhat larger but still quite small Quincy Hannibal
> market.
> Can't speak for the mgmt at KHQA, but their motivation to
> elect
> their current UHF digital channel as their permanent home
> come
> analog sunset may be anticipation of a future move to go
> further north and west. It's currently blocked in analog
> times
> by that other Raycom property in question, KWWL-7.
>
> Then again, once we move into digital only times for TV, big
>
> 2000 foot towers could become passe:
>
http:/> /hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-262082A1.doc
>
>
> *This tower collapsed in 1987 while crews were making
> modifi-
> cations, sending several men to their death. It hadn't even
>
> been up two years.
>
> **When KTVO fired up the 2000 foot tower in 1986, it
> represented
> the second attempt at a fulltime ABC affiliate in the Quincy
>
> Hannibal market. Here's the first:
>
> http://www.brainmist.com/wjjy_tv/wjjy_tv.htm
>
> (KHQA was a secondary ABC affiliate. It's primary
> affiliation has always been CBS)
>
 
> I would be surprised to see all of the Raycom stations sold
> to only 1 buyer. I would assume just as with the recent sale
> of the Emmis TV stations, there will be several buyers.

Not saying you're wrong, but the GM at KWWL says that his station is the "cherry on the sundae" of the group that's for sale. Why would Raycom include KWWL (which fits into their geographic plan to concentrate on the Midwest and Southeast) like that if they were looking to sell to several buyers?
>
> It's been suggested elsewhere, and I agree, that Qunicy
> Newspapers might be interested in KTVO. They already own
> nearby WGEM. That would make a nice pair in Northern MO,
> Southern IA, Western IL. I'm sure they'd be able to share
> some staff members to cover certain parts of the viewing
> area that might receive both stations.

To make things even more interesting, Quincy also owns KTTC in Rochester. There's a nice trio of NBC affiliates with WGEM, KWWL and KTTC...
 
> I would be surprised to see all of the Raycom stations sold
> to only 1 buyer. I would assume just as with the recent sale
> of the Emmis TV stations, there will be several buyers.
>
> It's been suggested elsewhere, and I agree, that Qunicy
> Newspapers might be interested in KTVO. They already own
> nearby WGEM. That would make a nice pair in Northern MO,
> Southern IA, Western IL. I'm sure they'd be able to share
> some staff members to cover certain parts of the viewing
> area that might receive both stations.
>
Hmmm...Quincy Newspapers buying KTVO. I'd never say never,
but I'd advance a couple of reasons why I think it's unlikely.

1. QN owns and operates a TV, an AM/FM combo and a newspaper
in Quincy. Even with the looser regulatory environment and
changing media environment in general (as in dropping print
circulation numbers, for one) I think they already have a nice
little grandfathered duopoly, and...

2. If you were the owners of KHQA, you'd do everything you
could to block QN from pulling it off, because of QN's excessive
ownership concentration in the area.

Even though the Quincy Hannibal market has never set the world
on fire, it may be one of the largest markets with no fulltime
Fox affiliate, and poor coverage of ABC. Thus, it would seem
like there would be opportunities for someone like Pappas, which
has a history of agressively developing new and existing TV
signals.

> I would hate to see Pappas get a hold of KWWL. Pappas is
> know for their crappy news operations and I'd hate to see
> them ruin KWWL.
>

That's not too encouraging, but as far as their news operations are
concerned, I don't know enough about Pappas to comment. Have to give
KPWB credit for good looking local production, though. (is it done
out of market?)
 
If I had to pick someone who would buy either of the two stations I would think KWWL would go nicely with Belo, although Belo has bigger market stations namely the closest being KMOV in St Louis but they also have stations in smaller markets such as Boise and Spokane. As for KTVO a far fetched idea could be that Gazette Communications (owner of KCRG in Cedar Rapids) could buy it and expand it base. With KCRG already influencing KWKB it would make sense likely choices would be Pappas or someone totally out of the blue.
 
> If I had to pick someone who would buy either of the two
> stations I would think KWWL would go nicely with Belo,
> although Belo has bigger market stations namely the closest
> being KMOV in St Louis but they also have stations in
> smaller markets such as Boise and Spokane. As for KTVO a far
> fetched idea could be that Gazette Communications (owner of
> KCRG in Cedar Rapids) could buy it and expand it base. With
> KCRG already influencing KWKB it would make sense likely
> choices would be Pappas or someone totally out of the blue.
>
I think a good owner for KWWL would be New York Times Co. Their style seems to be in gel with WHO's in Des Moines, and there could be some nice resource sharing going on there.
 
> I think a good owner for KWWL would be New York Times Co.
> Their style seems to be in gel with WHO's in Des Moines, and
> there could be some nice resource sharing going on there.
>

At one time if I remember WHO and KWWL did share resources namely the helicopter and NY Times would be another good choice for KWWL.
 
In the national trade mags, Lin Broadcasting and Media General are rumored to be the leading suitors for the Raycom sale. Raycom would prefer to sell things as a package. If not all the stations at once, at least grouping the stations together into a couple groups. Media General does own KIMT in Mason City and KWCH in Wichita. Lin closest stations would be in Indiana including their largest station WISH in Indianapolis.
 
> In the national trade mags, Lin Broadcasting and Media
> General are rumored to be the leading suitors for the Raycom
> sale. Raycom would prefer to sell things as a package. If
> not all the stations at once, at least grouping the stations
> together into a couple groups. Media General does own KIMT
> in Mason City and KWCH in Wichita. Lin closest stations
> would be in Indiana including their largest station WISH in
> Indianapolis.
>
If this is true, then let's hope it's Lin!
 
> > In the national trade mags, Lin Broadcasting and Media
> > General are rumored to be the leading suitors for the
> Raycom
> > sale. Raycom would prefer to sell things as a package.
> If
> > not all the stations at once, at least grouping the
> stations
> > together into a couple groups. Media General does own
> KIMT
> > in Mason City and KWCH in Wichita. Lin closest stations
> > would be in Indiana including their largest station WISH
> in
> > Indianapolis.
> >
> If this is true, then let's hope it's Lin!

LIN is a second rate company. I live in Indianapolis, and LIN is famous for pre-emptions. They must also feed all of their stations from WISH because they sometimes get their stations confused and we see WANE & WLFI local spots. Sometimes they even play the other stations legal ID's. I used to live in Eastern Iowa and I would if I still lived there like to see the New York Times pick up KWWL as WQAD, Moline and WHO, Des Moines are two better stations than WISH in Indianapolis.
>
 
> LIN is a second rate company. I live in Indianapolis, and
> LIN is famous for pre-emptions. They must also feed all of
> their stations from WISH because they sometimes get their
> stations confused and we see WANE & WLFI local spots.
> Sometimes they even play the other stations legal ID's. I
> used to live in Eastern Iowa and I would if I still lived
> there like to see the New York Times pick up KWWL as WQAD,
> Moline and WHO, Des Moines are two better stations than WISH
> in Indianapolis.
> >

I too think NY Time buying KWWL would be ideal. Seems as if LIN has been buying a lot of stations over the past few years...hope they're not biting off more than they can chew.

Another group that came to mind was Journal Broadcast Group. They've been in a buying mood lately although I've heard that they're not the best to work for unless you work at their flagship station in Milwaukee (WTMJ).
 
>
> Another group that came to mind was Journal Broadcast Group.
> They've been in a buying mood lately although I've heard
> that they're not the best to work for unless you work at
> their flagship station in Milwaukee (WTMJ).
>

I was thinking about Journal Broadcast group too but stopped short as they are in the middle of buying stations in other markets. NYT is a good fit. Meredith should be smart at buying at least KWWL since they are based in Iowa. I don't see why Meredith has no stations in their home state.
 
> I was thinking about Journal Broadcast group too but stopped
> short as they are in the middle of buying stations in other
> markets. NYT is a good fit. Meredith should be smart at
> buying at least KWWL since they are based in Iowa. I don't
> see why Meredith has no stations in their home state.
>
I too have wondered why Meredith doesn't have a station in their home state. I realize that the stations they do own are in larger markets than Des Moines or Cedar Rapids. I do believe that it is good that they don't own any stations in Iowa. The way that they shape their newscasts (KCTV in Kansas City for example) is not something that would go over well in any market in Iowa. They are using a more tabloid style of newscast and the journalistic integrity of the station is often questioned, so perhaps it's best they do not own any stations in their home state.
 
> > I was thinking about Journal Broadcast group too but
> stopped
> > short as they are in the middle of buying stations in
> other
> > markets. NYT is a good fit. Meredith should be smart at
> > buying at least KWWL since they are based in Iowa. I don't
>
> > see why Meredith has no stations in their home state.
> >
> I too have wondered why Meredith doesn't have a station in
> their home state. I realize that the stations they do own
> are in larger markets than Des Moines or Cedar Rapids. I do
> believe that it is good that they don't own any stations in
> Iowa. The way that they shape their newscasts (KCTV in
> Kansas City for example) is not something that would go over
> well in any market in Iowa. They are using a more tabloid
> style of newscast and the journalistic integrity of the
> station is often questioned, so perhaps it's best they do
> not own any stations in their home state.
>
My dream is that they would someday buy WOI and turn it into a KCTV clone (What can I say, I'm one of the few KCTV fans out there). Sure it's kind of tabloidy, but WOI is in last and nothing really could hurt them at this point.
 
>
> It's been suggested elsewhere, and I agree, that Qunicy
> Newspapers might be interested in KTVO. They already own
> nearby WGEM. That would make a nice pair in Northern MO,
> Southern IA, Western IL. I'm sure they'd be able to share
> some staff members to cover certain parts of the viewing
> area that might receive both stations.
> --------------------------------------------------------------------

dsmtv 1, the rest of you Zero.
 
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