CircleSeven

New update on channel changes. And big news regarding the Channel 9 Freeport petition (PRM). It has advanced to Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), which is the comment phase of the rulemaking process. As you know Gray sold its former RF 41 signal during the auction. And it has been seeking a new signal since its LP signal (WIFR-LD) on RF 28 have been problematic for viewers. The LP is not at full strength because has to protect WISN 12 in Milwaukee, which its also on the same allotment. But they're also in the middle of the Quincy acquisition, which includes NBC outlet WREX. So should they get approval of this new allotment, plus the Quincy deal, it would give Gray two full-power signals in Rockford. Also, The FCC issued an R&O, approving the KRCG change from 12 to 29. And KVAL PRM from 13 to 28, have advanced to NPRM.

KERO has switched to the new graphics on Tuesday (4/13).

Mission has yet to consummate on the WNAC acquisition from Super Towers. The FCC approved the deal back in November. The reasoning for filing this 2nd extension is for the seller to "resolve accounting issues related to the closing".

B&C is already covering it. Here's the original story about that specific incident. There's no words.

The sale was consummated on April 1.

A couple of passings to note. Longtime WRC anchor & reporter Joe Krebs passed away from pancreatic cancer at the age of 78. He was the anchor of the morning show News 4 Today for 18 years until his retirement in 2012. Also, former WDRB meteorologist Paul Emmick passed away last week of natural causes. He was only 55.

Update on the channel changes. We have a Report & Order (R&O). FCC has effectively approved the channel change for KRIS from 13 to 26. Now they'll have a month to file a new minor change app to get the permit. And two PRMs have advanced to NPRMs. And these are Sinclair outlets on the low-VHF dial. WCYB (5 > 35) WRGB (6 > 35)

End of an era in Corpus Christi. Longtime KIII 3 anchor Joe Gazin announced that he will retire in late May after 43 years at the station.

Let me try to clarify what you're saying. Are you talking about a station (licensee) who already channel-sharing with another on the same frequency? Or are you talking about a license for a brand new station and that new station is sharing the frequency with an already-established station? If you're talking about the latter, the FCC hasn't approved licenses for new TV stations. I know Gray has filed for two new licenses (Freeport, IL & Eagle River, WI) but those are on vacant frequencies (9 & 26 respectively). There hasn't been any station that has filed a new license on an already-occupied frequency.

Before last year, WABC aired the movie at 8, because of the Auto Show special at 7. But since its been curtailed due to the pandemic, they've now start the movie at 7. WTEN could've preempted Wheel/J! repeat tonight. Most ABC stations that carry these shows did.

Marquee has nevered "sidecar"-ed with Lowcountry. They've both have swapped LPs with each other last year. But they have no ties with each other. And again, no company needs to sidecar when acquiring LPs (either operational or unbuilt). I don't understand why you continue to think one company is buying the LPs on behalf of another when there's no ownership limitations on LPs.

More shedding for HC2. Lowcountry 34 Media, LLC is getting nine LP-permits for $96K. KJNM-LD Fayetteville, AR K32OG-D Pueblo, CO W27EO-D Panama City, FL W14ET-D Panama City, FL WJEA-LD Augusta, GA WDDZ-LD Augusta, GA WDZC-LD Augusta, GA W35DV-D Augusta, GA K34MX-D Odessa, TX

More HC2 LP-permit shedding. Major Market Broadcasting (owner of Fargo, ND station KRDK-TV) is getting six of them for $100K. W19DN-D Macon, GA W22DW-D Lafayette, IN K22OG-D Fargo, ND K25LY-D Fargo, ND K27LX-D Minot, ND K23MB-D Minot, ND Another one I forgot to mention, Waypoint Media (Jonesboro TV, LLC) is getting two for $28K. K14SW-D Jonesboro, AR K34QK-D Jonesboro, AR

I'm sure the "Youse Up Yet" was no more than the "cleverly" April Fool's stunt and nothing more.

As of Monday, Start is moving from 2.4 to 2.2. That and H&I are (at least for now) staying on KPRC.

Longtime WFOX/WJAX anchor/reporter Paige Kelton is leaving the station after over 24 years. She was one of first anchors when then-WAWS launched the news operation in late 1996.

I'm going to say, don't hold your breath. I think I've said something on similar lines almost three years ago. When Quincy acquired the former sidecar stations KDLH & WISE from SagamoreHill. Pai just loosen the ownership limits and they didn't need the failed waiver. I wouldn't be surprised if they reverse the network switches. As you see almost 33 months later, the affiliation switches never occured. The CW is still on KDLH & WISE. CBS is still on the sub of KBJR. And NBC is still on the sub of WPTA. So what I'm saying is don't hold your breath if CBS stays on KVEO 23.2. Nexstar has both networks on the same spectrum. Why should move CBS back to 4.1 at this point? Sinclair has recently moved some Fox affiliates from the main channel on their sidecar stations to a sub of the parent station. And NPG has done the same in a couple of markets. Hearst carries MeTV in three of those markets (Birmingham [WVTM], Orlando [WESH] & Sacramento [KCRA]). And unlike Nexstar, Hearst is one of its strongest groups to carry the network. Unless they're trying to fill those other diginets (that's not cleared in those markets), it would be a shame if they move the network away from the Hearst subs to these LPs (should they light them up). I should also point out regarding Weigel's previous HC2 transaction, Weigel will start carrying MeTV to KAZD 55.1 & KYAZ 51.1 at 4am/CT Monday morning.

More HC2 LP-permit shedding. DuJuan McCoy's Circle City Broadcasting is buying five LPs in Indiana for $60K. W28EY-D Fort Wayne, IN W31ET-D Fort Wayne, IN WEDX-LD Fort Wayne, IN W29FI-D Terre Haute, IN W16CZ-D Terre Haute, IN And Marquee Broadcasting is getting two LPs in Albany, GA for $28K. WDRJ-LD Albany, GA WFDY-LD Albany, GA This deal would make total sense for Marquee. Most folks in the immediate part of Albany can't receive WSWG (CBS) since its OTA signal far to the east.

That still doesn't mean they're buying the LP permits for them (which sounds foolish). I'm sure Gray could've easily bought these same permits (that SagamoreHill is getting) on their own accord, without playing sidecar. Look at Lake Charles & Watertown where SagamoreHill owns an LP there. Are they're getting any assistance or influence from Gray in those markets? No.

No. I'm sure SagamoreHill bought these permits for themselves. LPs don't count in the main ownership limits like full powers. And there is no numerical limit on the amount of LPs (built or unbuilt) a single owner can get. Why use a sidecar to get an LP? That doesn't make any sense. ______________________________________ Anywho, Gray has filed another PRM. They want to move Weston, WV's WDTV from VHF 5 to UHF 33.

HC2 is shedding more of its unbuilt permits. Just like Gray, SagamoreHill is acquiring some for $260K. W26FE-D Montgomery, AL W20DX-D Panama City FL W36EA-D Tallahassee, FL W22EJ-D Macon, GA W32FO-D Albany, GA WUEE-LD Albany, GA W14ES-D Champaign, IL K17OJ-D Saint Cloud, MN K36LJ-D Jefferson City, MO KQJB-LD Carson City, NV W18EW-D Jackson, TN W17EI-D Jackson, TN K33QK-D Port Arthur, TX

New station. WNDU just switched to the WBTV/WBAY package. It debuted just now on the 4pm.

New M&A. It appears TCT is buying more sticks. Through Faith Broadcasting Network, they're acquiring KWKB (Iowa City, IA) & KPNZ (Odgen, UT) from HC2 for $4M.

New petition today. This time its a PBS outlet. New Orleans' WYES wants to vacate VHF 11 for UHF 28. They're the only major station on the VHF allotment so this PRM makes tons of sense.

Don't they have a 10pm show on Fox or something? In any event, that station would have to pretape as well.