CircleSeven

New M&A. It looks like Estrella wants to buy Miami's WGEN for $11M.

I think this is a first time WLS has done abbreviated weekday morning newscast. The last Xmas newscast that fell on a weekday (two years ago on a Friday) went full 2hr-30m length. I remember many years ago (even as late of the mid 90s) when on major holidays like this, they didn't have a morning broadcast at all. But would do a local news cut-in from the newsroom @ :25/:55 on the 6am hour during World News This Morning. Phil was back on this AM, with his red blazer. That tradition continues.

Can't believe this was ten years ago tonight (12/23/07). Video Courtesy of thrawnbutler from YT.

The FCC greenlighted this deal today.

Ritter did not anchor the Xmas broadcast last year either.

This is normal. They anchor from the newsroom just for the 4am half-hour.

Weigel has closed its KNLC sale. Former KNLC programming has moved to 24.2.

GM appointment #27. Former WTKR/WGNT VP/GM Skip Valet has been appointed as new VP & GM of WFLA/WTTA.

WGN added TBD on 9.4 a couple of weeks ago.

New M&A. Ion is buying Ironwood's WPME in Maine for $900K.

Damn, it almost feel like Laredo (KVTV > KYLX) all over again.

ABC has found Rebecca Campbell's replacement for O&O President. Its O&O SVP of digital Wendy McMahon, will take the roll as President, effective January 1st.

Some deal closings tonight. Here's KJRW's closing paper. The deal was closed last Friday. Lets see how long they'll air the CBS programming since Brady is simulcasting it on an LP. Also, Weigel has completed its sale of Utah station KCSG. Making it the first station they own outside the areas adjacent to Lake Michigan. Interestingly enough Weigel sold WMLW's spectrum for $69.6M. They've already used half of those proceeds in buying TV stations in a few markets. Will they spend the remaining amount to buy more stations in the future? Finally, WRNN is buying another station. They're getting Cherry Hill, NJ's WMCN from Lenfest Broadcasting for $6M.

After over 57 months, the FCC has finally greenlighted this 316 transfer.

More from TVNewsCheck:

The KIEM deal was closed on Friday. And KVIQ has changed its calls to KJRW. Not sure where Brady will place the KVIQ calls, since they did acquire some LPs with the KIEM purchase.

Might as well switch the callsigns too.

We have a new M&A on this Black Friday. Woods (owners of WCOV) wants to acquire Cozi station WIYC for $1M. And wants to use the 'failed waiver" to get it.

They been doing this practice for over four years now.

Thirty years ago tonight, was that Max Headroom incident, which it hijacked WGN & WTTW's signals. The person that did this was never caught.

What did I say earlier? If you've seen the successes of operating independents in Chicago & Milwaukee, KOFY's shows would be a perfect fit for Weigel. In fact about it, after getting the shows, drop the KTLN calls and make that station KOFY. ________ Anywho, Brady is unloading one of its stations. Brady is donating its Twin Falls station, KXTF to religious broadcaster, TCT.

New M&A Tonight. CNZ is buying another station. They're getting Granite Broadcasting's KOFY-TV through its Stryker Media subsidiary for $6M. KOFY has channel-share agreement with CNZ-owned Class-A station KCNZ-CD. I was hoping Weigel would've gotten it and move all the programming to their newly acquired outlets. After all, KOFY carries Me-TV on its sub.

It's been greenlighted.

This schedule confirms it.

WTXF is already using Beyond for its "Breaking News" stingers.