Leaderboard

Fox isn't giving up their O&O networks. The only broadcast network that has a real chance that could happen is CBS/Paramount for reasons discussed on this website before in other threads.

That article was written in August 2020; two years later, there's been a new NFL deal. There might be a sale in the meantime, but until February 2033, you can count on the networks to stay on the air just for that alone.

That set had two different desks. Live at Five used the desk behind Sue and Chuck in this view. The 6 and 11 were from the front desk. Lighting in Studio 6B actually faded over the rear desk during the opening of the 6 pm news. NBC used staff announcer Don Pardo (in studio) for the Live at Five broadcast, and staff announcer Fred Facey for the 6 and 11. Several years later they reefreshed the set with blue sides, Chuck actually made a comment they put up a lot of blue felt. It did brighten up the space. The studio was the home of the original Tonight Show, and is used for that today as well.

Do they not know their own history? Have they forgotten that this is how they killed UPN? (And arguably got the CW created in the first place?)

Another departure, and it's a big one- Hurricane Schwartz is retiring in May

I wasn't attempting to convince anyone that this is a good or bad deal. I was just sharing some additional details I found in a couple articles.

Just when you've thought you've seen it all, there's this.......https://www.ftvlive.com/sqsp-test/2022/2/25/this-war-is-brought-to-you-by-applebees

Wow…we might need a Speculation thread for this topic.

I'm glad though he will be doing his own thing, especially with the current and real dangers (not opinionating just stating what I believe is true) of climate change. He will be missed though. I wonder how many bow ties he has in his collection. Best of luck Glenn. You are the man. -- Matt

Sadly, that's probably why Nexstar is pursuing them in the first place. And if they succeed and go through with it, expect a lot of the remaining "affiliates" to drop the network as soon as they can.

Not bad but very small market. Just a few questions: 1) What is with the open? Why does the same logo animation appear twice at the beginning (once with the slogan, once with out) then again at the end (one without the time and one with the time). Whatever the deal is with that just makes it look more cheap. 2) Is a stinger really necessary for every story? 3) Is that a talent open or mugshot? The meteorologist practically looking to the left. It’s about as awkward and cringy as WJET’s talent open. Overall, I give this a ‘C’ - it’s definitely an improvement, but more could be done on the design/creativity side of the graphics and music.

I met her a few times. Very nice lady. I wish the best of luck to her in retirement.

So there are a few new details today from Broadcasting + Cable. It appears that Apollo won't be involved beyond the Texas and Boston station transactions. From B&C: "Originally, Standard General planned to acquire Tegna in partnership with Apollo Global Management. That deal proved too complicated and it was decided that Standard General go it alone partly to smooth the regulatory review process." Apparently the money from the Texas cluster was the financial kickstart for Standard to go it alone. With Apollo not involved in ownership, that would seem to eliminate the ownership conflict many folks are speaking out against. Unlike TEGNA's current structure, the new company will be private. Lastly, I originally found the whole WFXT transaction odd. But the NY Post (surprisingly) cleared it up for me. It is all about retransmission money. Cox gets higher retransmission fees so by owning just one current Cox station, the new TEGNA can charge a higher retrans rate for the entire group. Plus, Cox unloads an underperforming station. So now that part makes sense.

Some stuff could not be more obvious, like the fact Soo Kim couldn’t afford Tegna in his own right so he needed another private equity vulture who already owns a significant station group just to pay the balance, plus the obvious footsy action with WFAA, KHOU and WFXT. I’m capable of making inferences and can already say this deal is putrid with no benefit to anyone but Soo Kim’s lavish bank account and should be rejected. I don’t even need to see the filing.

That Harry Jessell can see how bad of a deal this is and Scott Jones lets his personal hatred for Dave Youngee cloud his inner judgment is stunning. Jessell is pro-consolidation but he at least cares about the industry and its future. Meanwhile, Scott is stuck in a tunnel vision that newscasts from the early 2000s still work and that you shouldn’t even bother trying to reach younger audiences. News flash for Scott: it’s not 2002. It’s 2022. Harry Jessell won my respect today, and I never thought I’d ever say those words.

pictures always tell a thousand words...

Two PRMs have advanced to NPRMs. KSCW (12 > 28) KTVQ (10 > 20) Just a bit of history regarding KSCW. RF 12 was the allotment used by sister station, KWCH. After the DTV transition, folks complained they couldn't receive KWCH's signal. So former owner Schurz decided to switch facilities. KWCH moved to 19, and KSCW move to 12. Fast forward twelve years later, Gray wants the other station off of VHF.

"Chits"??? These have to be smaller than CHIPS, I bet LOL.....

I get that not everybody likes what Tegna is doing but I doubt Standard General is going to do a good job at "bringing journalism back" or "making the stations great again", I don't have inside info but I'm on the side of "this is a bad deal" and that Bryon Allen should of gotten these stations. It would of been much more of a story than another hedge fund taking TV stations down a notch. How is WLNE doing anyways?

So was I.

Why would NBC dump WCNC for Bahakel? I mean WCNC isn’t much better but if they wanted WCCB they would’ve signed on in 1978. WCNC is already home of the NBC News Channel headquarters and where would they go? What is HC2?

The marketplace has clearly collapsed when two private equity vultures are attempting to pick apart a company too big to fail like this. It's an atrocious deal that'll set back local news in a time when they can't afford to. Soo Kim and Apollo are buying Tegna merely to gut it, starve it, then break it up.

https://tvnewscheck.com/business/article/fox-should-dump-broadcast-net-says-wall-street-analyst/

WFXT is the sixth-place station in a five-station town and where WHDH kicks their butts in all the time slots that matter. This isn't about retrans, it's a practical joke Apollo is making to Soo Kim.