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The answer here should be more obvious. They'd rather have a slice of UHF spectrum than a slice of VHF spectrum. I bet KMPX turns out like KTBU, i.e. they add an 8.8 WFAA simulcast subchannel. Estrella might then buy the VHF transmitter facility, at which time there'd likely be a call sign and virtual channel swap. If Estrella exercises this option, it's essentially Estrella being paid $14 million ($19 million purchase price for KMPX minus $5 million purchase price in the option agreement for WFAA) to move to VHF.

Even RBR knows what this is: A Big D Upgrade In Play For WFAA "TEGNA has reached a deal with a major Hispanic-targeted media company that will give it improved signal coverage in the Dallas-Fort Worth market. The deal illustrates just how valuable UHF signals have become in a digital TV world."

A move spurred in part by WFAA's recent reception woes, no doubt. Their signal has been more elusive than usual since they completed their facility changes this summer. Reducing ERP on VHF wasn't a good idea. This strikes me as a really roundabout way of doing what should've been a simple facility swap. If the plan is for Estrella to acquire WFAA's VHF facility, surely this could've been done in a more straightforward fashion? For Estrella, easily parting with an O&O in DMA #5 and potentially ending up on a weaker signal doesn't send a good message about their future. Either way, Tegna can maneuver this into more cap space...

Tegna is making another buy, this time from Estrella Media. They'll be purchasing that network's owned station in Dallas, KMPX 29, for $19 million. There are two important elements to this deal: Estrella will remain, on 29.1 apparently; there's a 5-year network affiliation agreement that will be part of this sale. There are triggering clauses in the agreement that then would allow Estrella, under a separate option agreement, to buy WFAA-TV (read: the VHF transmitter facility) for $5 million.

This is a spanish newscast. Why is their ticker in english???

It appears that WFAA can move 8.1 to the KMPX stick as soon as this deal closes.

This is a good deal for Tegna. They're basically trading up for a better spectrum (which means a better signal coverage for Dallas cordcutters)

No way! Absolutely Not! They'll be a lot angry viewers calling, Facebook messages, and letters will disapprove if that happens.

I'm suspicious about what TEGNA's objective here is. Are they thinking that KDAF is going to lose their CW affiliation and be able to line up KMPX as a replacement. I think it's strange for them to buy a one-off Estrella station.

She had such a sweet, bubbly personality and 100-watt smile that made even the reports of bad weather seem good to hear. She will most definitely be missed in Market #4, but all the best to her in L.A. Thank you, Melissa Magee.

KCOP 1994 is as rare as they come:

Former WMTW morning anchor David Charns is joining KLAS in Las Vegas as an investigative reporter. I assume he will fill-in too: https://www.facebook.com/davidcharns/photos/a.159799557413769/3409420832451609/?type=3

Longtime WSB-TV reporter Don McClellan dies from Parkinson’s Disease at age 88: https://www.wsbtv.com/news/local/longtime-wsb-reporter-don-mcclellan-dies-88-after-parkinsons-disease-battle

More upheaval at WBNS... morning anchor Pete Scalia left the station this morning after 3.5 years. Pete Scalia departs 10TV