GoldenShine9

If they did that, then they would get their first west coast stations. They would also only be missing Greenville (WABG) in Mississippi, and that is an easy purchase or trade. KNIN for the Delta stations and maybe another low-market Brady station?

Yeah, I think Tegna and CBS would be screaming at them if they blacked it out.

Makes me wonder what would have happened if WWL decided to protest and black out the game...

I wonder how they felt at WWL being forced to air the Super Bowl which their home team was robbed in? I do think the Saints will be seen as the "real" winners in the end.

It was also the right thing to cancel the newscast. They were probably in no mood to do them at that time, and in the morning they may have not even had information and they likely had the shock still fresh on them.

Even if Cheyenne and Casper combined were one market, it would be in the 180s somewhere. I wonder how the pocketbooks play into decisions made at DOJ and the FCC. But there is a slippery slope factor too...if they say having two or more major stations in a small market (i.e. 150+) is okay, what would stop it from happening in major markets even if they are highly profitable?

I think the control of KTWO and KFNE was the deal-breaker there. However, there seems to be no one else interested in Wyoming right now.

Heck, WDSU probably beats them now too...

Is there anyone who could buy it to create a duopoly?

Of those states, they are completely absent - even with Tribune - from Alaska, Idaho, Maine, Minnesota (they do have stations along the WI border but no news operations), Nebraska, New Hampshire and Wyoming. Since KASW and WPHL seems like duopoly bait, Arizona and Delaware (no Delmarva stations) may also be removed from Nexstar's grasp too. They'd have to clear cap space to buy any additional stations though.

Have any of the Tegna stations in Texas (other than KHOU which lost its studio in Harvey) had a set change lately? They could always give them at least parts of an old WFAA, KENS or KVUE set.

Now might be a good time, with those 2 new stations (which they can use to pilot the new graphics) plus the Cordillera stations coming soon. Plus, the current Scripps graphics are quite old although they have aged well. Maybe just do a Hearst-like tweak of them rather than a total makeover?

Cordillera wasn't greenlighted though yet?

Contracts running out and Sinclair-related issues perhaps?

NBC doesn't even have an affiliate in that area...and the ABC affiliates in the rest of Nebraska (including KLKN) are a ratings joke in comparison. That had been an issue no matter who owned KMTV. KOLN/KGIN has long been the ratings juggernaut in central Nebraska. Even in Omaha, KMTV has long been a distant 3rd place station.

Maybe WPXI's new owner can refresh it with him on their set.

Their GM is resigning too, largely because of how Sinclair handled this. Maybe he'll find a job somewhere else under another owner in a bigger market and hand Alex a contract? (Even if a smaller market, they could give her a lead anchor job). This is 100% made in Hunt Valley.

Heartless. If not for the non-compete, if I were a News Director at WRCB or WDEF, I'd be throwing an instant offer for her when she's ready.

The irony is there is no such route as I-21.

I'm doing math and will post it in the Speculatron, but they will certainly need to sell a large chunk of the stations.

Sinclair has become a four-letter word in professional journalism. I think they are having trouble filling a lot of jobs due to lack of interest. I don't think ANYONE believes them...this is pure damage control and nothing else. Probably getting smackdowns from Cordillera, and presumably Cox, are hurting their feelings as well.

That seems like a station desperately short right now. Although they should have had the weekend anchor cover?

That leaves WPSD as the independent in the market. I'm guessing Gray had interest before the Raycom deal, but Quincy works very well.

Did KRBK require a "top 4" waiver, or did they approve it by it being in a different DMA? If the former, then Gray-Raycom should be approved soon, since there is no obvious hold up other than the Hawaii issue.

It's a real challenge. There is no obvious buyer given the circumstances. Maybe Brian Brady could step in? Cowles?