CircleSeven

Alrighty y'all. First full business day of 2014 and we have a slew of paperwork. First, we have two consummations. Both happened on New Year's Eve. NBC has completed its acquisition of Rio Grande Valley's Telemundo affiliate KTLM. Also, Gray has completed the sale of the Frontier's Yellowstone stations. Also, it appears that Power Television International wants to give up 51% control of Corporate Media Consultants Group to Max Media, which already had the remaining 49% (I think this TOC would lead up to a future sale of Puerto Rican station WMEI (and its satellites)). And finally the paperwork of KMOV, KTVK & KASW is up. $230.56M for KTVK/KASW, and $176.94M for KMOV, both totalling $407.4M. SagamoreHill will pay $12M to assign KASW. EDIT 11:09am/EST TVNewsCheck state that Frontier will acquire Sainte Partners' last station, Eureka's CBS station, KVIQ for $1.25M.

Damn. With so much news today. Gannett closing Belo, the spin-offs going to Meredith, and now this.... Hey Raymie, this one's for you. Are you ready? KSWT app to Brian Brady's Blackhawk Broadcasting, has been greenlighted. They'd approved the waiver today, and dismissed that informal objection Mr. Abraham was filing. I told you it was too late. :lol: Brady will have a big-3 duopoly with already approved KYMA, once it get consummated.

Even though I've been preaching about this Gray/Raycom thing, having Nexstar use the Mission card for WDFX & WPGX would be a massive improvement for both stations involved.

Gray is on the ball y'all!!! Approximately six weeks after the paperwork have been posted, yesterday, the FCC has greenlighted the AOL apps of Frontier Yellowstone stations to Gray. I wouldn't be shocked if they close this sucker by the end of this week. Damn that's quick.

NEW M&A This Afternoon!!!!! TVNewsCheck stated minutes ago that Gray is buying KEVN Rapid City, SD from Mission TV, LLC for $7.75M. SNL Kagan has annnouced that in 2013, deals ended November 30, they counted $10.9B in M&As this year alone, with over 270 full-power stations and 265 low-power stations. I don't think i remember a year that so many television stations have changed hands, probably not even that many since the mid-1990s. 2013 will be the year of the M&A wave.

This probably don't mean much but this is somewhat big news relating to a certain group that rarely use subchannels to air another's content. Back in late October, London Broadcasting's flagship station KTXD decided not to renew carriage of Weigel Broadcasting's Me-TV network on its main channel, in favor of more local programming. This cause a uproar to the viewers in the Metroplex who were fans of the network. Today, the B&C states that Weigel announce their new affiliate will be.....KTXA 21. They will carry the subnet on Monday. What shocking about this is, except for WCBS, KYW & KCBS which they're testing the CBS Plus service on its point-twos, CBS usually don't typically use any sort of subchannels. The last time KTXA used a subchannel was in 2009 when KTVT went back to VHF 11 and many viewers couldn't receive its VHF signal. That's when CBS had to temporary relay KTVT to 21.2. This would be the very first time that CBS is carry an outsider's subnet on its owned channels.

KEYT stated on Friday that the deal was done. Although I haven't seen any consummation notices posted as of yet, I assume that will be forthcoming. As you see the KEYT's site now features three station's logos, including KCOY & KKFX, even though KCOY's separate site is still up in running. (12/18, kcoy.com is redirected to KEYT's site). And although I still think Cowles would vacate KCOY and NPG use the VistaWest card, it's hard making that assumption while regulators are gradually trying to crackdown on companies playing shell games.

I think Mr. Abraham is a Johnny-come-lately that want to play counteroffer, three months after the paperwork was filed. Now he want's that payment one the record? He's SOL, and I hope this deal gets approved on Brady's side. I mean why didn't he counteroffer back when Brady made that $900K deal. That would've probably made more sense. Then I believed Brady would've paid more than the $1.125M this guy wants to buy it for. The worst thing that could happen at this point is if the FCC would accept this person's offer, even though he's too little, too late, and I doubt that they would even do that. But I still think it's Brady's time to shine. They'll greenlight it on his favor.

FCC has greenlighted the Cowles Cali stations to NPG, which includes KION & KKFX. And yes Raymie, I'm a half hour late after TVNewsCheck posted this news.

Well, Here's yet another article about these "shared" arrangements. This time, its from The Daily Sentinel newspaper in Grand Junction. Of course this comes after Gray used their Excalibur card to acquire KJCT, becoming the sister station to competing station, KKCO.

It was a two female anchor pair with Angela & Karen at 6pm, prior to her departure. Angela also did the 5pm with Dennis; while Karen was on at 10 with Dennis. I do find it very gutsy to move Karen off the 10pm for some new anchor, but I guess they want to keep all three anchoring at least two of the three evening broadcasts. And for me I don't have any problem with that.

Yeah you're right, KJUD's news is piped in from Anchorage. So GCI won't have a problem piping in KTVA's news to the CBS Southeast cluster. It'll probably be a tough sale. But if they've seen what's been popping in the Contiental U.S., I would not be shock if they would follow the mantra of of those other big groups and form a shell, to snag KTVF (or Chena might want to stay around). But yes, it would be a tough sell.

Should this new deal go through, I would not be shocked if the KTVA's newscast would be simulcast on CBS Southeast cluster, and not KATH. That's only if they don't follow the same mantra and invest into having its own news op in Juneau, to compete with KJUD. FTVLive have stated Scripps, Sinclair and Nexstar are rumored as possible contenders for just WKBW. I love the stories headline: "It Could Be The Best Christmas in a Longtime for Buffalo Station". I guess for obvious reasons. But like I stated earlier today, if Scripps is going to buy, they'll probably get WKBW & WMYD, and leave the rest for the other groups. But I do think it's Nexstar's time to shine on WKBW. They already have a strong footprint with 6 out of the 8 Upstate markets. Only Buffalo & Albany are markets that Nexstar is not in.

New M&A Tonight!!!! And we go back to Alaska. After sucessfully acquiring the CBS station in Anchorage and the NBC station in Juneau & Sitka, after nearly a yearlong battle, GCI plans to acquire the Ketchikan TV-owned CBS Southeast stations (KUBD, KTNL & KXLJ) for $1M. Let's see if Vision Alaska will make some noise again on this deal. Could Fairbanks be their next target?

The FCC has greenlighted the KMIR sale today, seven weeks after making the paperwork. I'm not happy about this. TMJ is a real dummy selling KMIR to speculators. Glad that auctions are delayed to 2015, but still.

Not to cause an alarm but, today is December 6. The paperwork that was filed for the ComCorp stations was May 6. We're at SEVEN months now. Do we have to wait until January 6 to see this deal get greenlighted by the FCC (like the same length as the Barrington deal (8 months))? Or will the long wait is finally near its end? This was the last major acquisition before those bigger deals were announced and docketed in the summer with Gannett, Media General & Tribune. And although this deal wasn't docketed, and didn't have any informal objections or petitions of deny, the deal do have conflicts, including possible forming virtual triplesticks in Shreveport & Evansville. I'm hoping the wait won't last any longer, but I'm thinking that the FCC isn't at any rush, and probably taking heed by those politicians to slow down on greenlighting any further pending deals. Tuesday was the first anniversary since the announcement of the closings of the big chunk of Newport stations going to Nexstar, Sinclair and Cox. Of course the one whose done most of the heavy lifting since that time have been Nexstar (looking at Memphis & Fresno). But remember when I said this last year? Forget what I said last year. I think 2013 was the year, and I think it overtop what happened last year, with more stations changed hands or proposing to change hands this year. And I hate to say this but despite some who are trying to slow down these slew of deals, I doubt this would end this now 27-month M&A Craze. I think 2014 would have even more surprises, and lets not forget those auctions too.

If they would've been desperate, they would've sold their stations a long time ago. They probably didn't see much loot at the time they filed for Chapter 11, then now, during this M&A Wave. Even though these stations haven't been canned by the FCC, they still have those Evansville LPs to tend to. They can ask the FCC to just can those licenses, or sell those stations to a spectrum speculator, but I doubt wireless companies would want that much spectrum in southwestern Indiana. Even with this $7.5M they're getting from TCT, to pay off those creditors, I doubt Roberts is out of the woods. I hope they can find some light at the end of the tunnel and pay off their debts soon. It is truly sad that this was one of the minority owners who have to go under like this. Given that the other big stations have at least one subchannel (KMOV have two), I doubt those stations are going to dedicate another sub to their stations. Tribune is satisfied with their Antenna TV/This TV, KMOV have Me-TV & Live Well, and KSDK have Bounce. I mean, I'm not saying the others don't have a shot in being the next contenders, but I don't think they should even try to make this their big priority. KDNL on the other hand, they have a vacancy for their former CoolTV allotment where they could add the MyNet and syndie programs that WRBU is showing right now. With the loss of Local TV LLC back in July, they can at least make some good news in St. Louis. With all the investments in other ventures, lile buying more TV channels and such, I don't think they have much of a choice not to get the MyNet affiliate on its sub. They can even ditch that ZUUS Country, and may the MyNet an HD sub. But I doubt they would even do that.

Speaking of the devil. Last night was WZRB, Tonight, it's WRBU. They're also selling it to TCT for $5.5M. Let's see where the MyNet would go. I hate to say this, but I have a feeling that Sinclair could dedicate a sub on KDNL for the MyNet.

See, a group goes away a couple of weeks ago, and one of the former execs already have a new position. TVNewsCheck posted today that former president and chief operating officer of Barrington Broadcasting and current chairman of the CBS Affiliates board Chris Cornelius, has taken a new position as director of business development at Morgan Murphy Media.

New M&A Tonight!!! It appears that bankrupt Roberts Broadcasting is selling its Columbia, SC station, WZRB to Tri-States Christian Television (through their licensee name Radiant Life Ministries, Inc.) for $2M. Upon closing of the sale, the station will drop its CW network and its syndicated programming. This is the second time where Roberts have sold its station to a religious broadcaster. Last October, they'd sold its Jackson CW affiliate, WRBJ to TBN, which that one was finalized on January 17 of this year. At first, I strongly thought that Sinclair would get it, as I said over a year ago: So I'm thinking either WACH or WKTC could be possible contenders for the affiliation. WACH would probably have to get equipment to operate an HD subchannel for the CW stream. WKTC could move its MyNet lineup to late at night, or do the same thing and have a subchannel. But WKTC already have Telemundo, Antenna TV & Retro TV on their subs. It would be a picture quality roadkill if they add another subchannel. But who knows, Gannett could shock us again, and add the network on WLTX's sub (like they did with WMAZ), or Bahakel could do the same on WOLO (remember what their sister station to the north of them is now affiliated with). It would be interesting to see how this goes.

I'm not too sure how long they're going to be on for the 11pm show, since its normally an hour. Could it go past Midnight tonight? Anywho, the station states that they will start the morning news at 4am tomorrow.

Sad News in the television world of a different sort. The NY Times state this morning that founder of the Christian broadcasting network, Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN), Paul Crouch passed away yesterday at the age of 79, after a long decade battle of a degenerative heart disease. Crouch founded TBN four decades ago, started by buying an LA TV station, and then with satellites, he would extend his reach to become one of the largest Christian broadcasters in the country. My condolences go to his wife Jan, and the rest of his family. _____________________________________ I kinda have a feeling, that after all the rememberances, tributes and such, everything would probably be business as usual at TBN in Santa Ana. But let's not forget that these incentive spectrum auctions are next year. I'm not too sure who will take full control of the licenses of the full power stations. This may be premature, but could TBN be the next company to be involved in the auctions next year? The network already have a heavy cable and satellite presence, so I don't think many OTA folks would miss the stations that much. Also in the big cities like NY and Chicago, their owned stations are in the market's extreme far fringes (Ottawa, IL & Poughkeepsie, NY). They might want to at least think about exploring some options if they want to sell their airspace for the auctions. And for the record, and I've said this many times on here. I'm not for these auctions, whatsoever. I never was when they started talking about this back in 2010. Because I feel that every station should keep their station, and not sell it for more wireless carriers to use. The FCC can find some more spectrum, and not take more of the TV spectrum away in the process. _________________________________ Now for some news we're familiar with. It's a change of the LMA gaurd of sorts, making a newscast move channels. KION-TV has announced that their 10pm produced newscast will be aired on the Central Coast CW on its DT2 subchannel, effective tonight. Today is the first day that it's former LMA partner KCBA (owned by Seal Rock Broadcasters) has formed a new LMA with Entravision-owned Univision affiliate, KSMS-TV. At this time, No word if KSMS is going to produce a 10pm news on KCBA or not. Edit 12/2 at 1:27am/PT: Okay, this article states that KCBA will air KTVU's morning news (5-9am weekdays & 7-10am Sundays) and its 10pm news every night. KION owner Cowles itself is awaiting FCC approval on their sale of KION, KMUV & KKFX to NPG, to grow their Cali presence. It will keep KCOY's license. Meanwhile, Cowles have completed their Montana acquisition from Max, as of Black Friday. Stations include KTMF & KFBB.

And almost three months after it was approved, the sale of Lockwood's new flagship station, WSKY, have been consummated, as of Monday. It even includes KAUZ Wichita Falls, as well, even though Gray didn't announce that they going to acquire that station. I think BIA/Kelsey assumed that Hoak is selling the entire company to Gray. Even if Gray temporary holds WMBB & KREX/KFQX until those sutible buyers come out, I don't think it would be much of an issue. That's why it's important to wait until they make the formal FCC AOL/TOC paperwork to see which stations are really getting sold or not. It would get a true understanding if Gray is getting all the stations or Hoak will hold those hold out stations, till a new buyer comes about. To me, it looks like Gray might be getting it all, and then then resell the overlapped ones. At least they are doing like Raycom and divest the overlaps, unlike other group who thrive on using multiple shells to keep everything under their fold...... Remember Raycom kept WTVR for almost a year after the Lincoln Financial Media (former owners of competitor WWBT) deal was close. But eventually swapped stations with Local TV's WBRC in Birmingham. I don't think it would be much of an issue in this case, as more buyers are coming in the woodwork fairly quickly.

And eight weeks after the paperwork was posted, the FCC has greenlighted the Cowles/Max Montana cluster deal. Stations include KTMF & KFBB.

If KNBC ever goes back to Gari, they should resurrect the Premier theme. Of course that's the last update to the Randall's News Center theme, before going to the Tower in the Fall of 2000.