CircleSeven

So small follow up regarding the Telemundo expansion. As of now, no word on when they'll launch in the new markets. But in anticipation of its launch, Gray is in the process of changing the callsigns of those LPs it recently bought.

Good news for the Tri-Cities region. Looks like WCYB is getting ready to light up its UHF signal. That means goodbye to that VHF-low hell-hole. The station has filed an STA app to light up RF 35 with a power of 374.2 kW for a period of 90 days. Afterwards, they'll crank up to a full maximized 1 million watts.

Follow up. That was quick. Apparently, WDTV has switched off of VHF 5 and lit up UHF 33 on Friday (8/12). The License to Cover of its new allotment/facility was posted today. ___________________________ Okay unrelated to this, the permits of two new allotments (Alexandria (TCT) & Vernal (Ventura Media)) from Auction 112 was approved last week. In the case of the Vernal, Ventura has already selected its new callsign. KEMS.

Y'all guesses are good as mine. I would love to know the reason why they withdrew. At the time they filed these new petitions last year, I was thinking why would they would want to switch these two to UHF? Given that both areas (Grand Junction & Twin Falls) are kind of rural, and probably have more OTA viewership (especially in the far fringes) via outdoor antennas.

Gray has withdrew two of its petitions. Both will stay on VHF. KKCO (12 > 30) KMVT (11 > 16)

Okay, the paperwork regarding the construction permit apps of the 18 new allotments are now up. Gray: Freeport, Eagle River, Flagstaff, Yuma & Winnemucca. Weigel: Wittenberg, Silver City, Carlsbad, Ely & Tonopah. Marquee: Walla Walla, Sheridan & Price. Sinclair: Syracuse BEK: Grand Forks TCT: Alexandria Ventura: Vernal Aberdeen (SD), Eureka, Fairbanks, Jackson (WY), Butte, Great Falls, Havre (MT), Idaho Falls & Sun Valley (ID) had no bidders. Had a sense that TCT was going all-in on the Minnesota allotment, but I wished they could've fetched that Aberdeen one to add a repeater to KTTW. Gray should've broke the bank on Grand Folks. But that's just me.

A small M&A. Gray is getting two LPs in Wyoming. They're acquiring W28HL-D Riverton & W30GV-D Shoshani from the Riverton Fremont TV Club for $25K.

Scripps got its replacement. WXYZ ND Jeff Kiernan will be the new VP/GM at Channel 13. He was also the former ND at WTMJ & WBBM.

Sinclair has completed the channel switch of KRCG in central Missouri from VHF 12 to UHF 29.

Couple of things...... After nearly nineteen months, the FCC has finally approved (R&O) the KTVL channel switch (10 > 16). It comes after the station settled with that LP religious broadcaster in Medford. Also, a small M&A. The Lilly brothers of Brian (WICU (SJL)) & Kevin (WSEE (Lilly)) have teamed up to form Condado Holdings. That firm will acquire Erie's LPs WEPA-LD and WXTM-LD from Commercial Assets, Inc. for $105K.

New M&A. Owners of the former Fox affiliate in the Central Coast is selling its station. Seal Rock Broadcasters is selling now CW affil KCBA to VistaWest Media for $1M. The paperwork included an SSA & an Option agreements between NPG (owners of KION) & VistaWest.

So follow up regarding KTVL's move to RF 16. Last fall, I mentioned that a religious broadcaster (which operates on that same allotment) filed an objection to KTVL's move because it would "lose" its "unique voice" in the Medford area. It appears there is a settlement between KTVL & theDove Media. theDove has agreed to withdraw its objection to the petition (with prejudice). And once KTVL's petition is approved, theDove will file a displacement application to move KDSO-LD from RF 16 to RF 24. KTVL will reimburse theDove (up to $23,420) the expenses relating to KDSO-LD's channel move, including the costs of acquiring and installing the new RF 24 facility. KTVL also agreed not to start operations on RF 16 until KDSO completes its move to RF 24. So in other words, this religious broadcaster wasn't going to move unless there was some sort of financial incentive involved. That's basically what it came down to.

New M&A. Gray is getting a new LP. Ths time in southern New England. They're acquiring WWAX-LD (formerly W27ER-D) from Triple Seven Media for $900K. Even though its COL is Westmoreland, NH, its antenna facility is located 63 miles south in Holyoke, MA (near Springfield). Gray is in the process of moving that other LP (WSHM) to WGGB's tower (expanding its contour). Wouldn't be surprised if it move this new LP to that facility as well, should it get the FCC greenlight.

New Petition. RNN has filed to have Norwell, MA's WWDP to vacate VHF 10 and move to UHF 36. I would've rather see WGBH (RF 5) or WSBE (RF 2) move to this allotment than a station that only shows wasteful infomercials and shopping channels.

New M&A. Bert Ellis is selling Anaheim, CA's Independent station KDOC to TCT (Radiant Life Ministries) for $41M.

Philadelphia's first Black TV reporter Trudy Haynes passed away at the age of 95.

Mentioned about it back in March. The deal was greenlighted on May 11. It has yet to be consummated.

It seems when they close to completing an LP deal (WKSY deal was approved today), a new LP deal comes up. They're getting Selma, AL's K35OX-D from Richardson Communications for just $40K. And also this needs to be mentioned, remember Gray announced they're building that new production facility at the former car plant near Atlanta? Well earlier this week, Gray had struck a deal with NBCUniversal for NBC to lease and operate the facility, once its up and running in 2023. From the press release:

Hold the phone. When they last switched to the current (WVLT) pack? 2019?

This question comes up because on the station's website, there a background on the header that looks similar to that graphic pack. Don't know if or when a graphic change will be in effect. Probably won't happen until after the station moves down the street to Blackstone (Kiewit) Plaza.

WITI morning anchor Angelica Duria is leaving after 12 years at the station.

Sad news for the ABC family. Walter Liss, former GM of WABC and later becoming the president of the ABC Owned Television stations, passed away earlier this week. He was 78. He started as a promotions manager at WPVI. Some of you might not know that he was credited for writing the lyrics to Al Ham's iconic "Move Closer To Your World" theme song. Before going to Channel 7, he was also GM of Fresno's KFSN.

Today (5/19), the FCC announced the ten qualified bidders who have advanced to participate in Auction 112, which will begin on June 7. BEK Sports Network, Inc. Gray Television Licensee, LLC Major Market Broadcasting of North Dakota, Inc. Marquee Broadcasting, Inc. Radiant Life Ministries, Inc. Sinclair Television Group, Inc. SJL Television Inc. TV-49, Inc. Ventura Media Communications, LLC Venture Technologies Group, LLC The ones listed as not qualified are Estrella Television, RxDIO.com, LLC, Renard Broadcasting, and previously-announced Redwood Empire Public Television. Also to mention, four entrants have claimed a "New Entrant" bidding credit. BEK Sports, Ventura Media & Venture Technologies have a 25% credit. And SJL have a 35% credit.

Well it only took seventeen & a half months and three amendments. But the WDVM minor modification app (moving its signal a bit south so it can reach the D.C. viewers), was finally approved by the FCC today. Here's the contours of both. The upper one is the current signal, and the lower one is the proposed new signal.