GoldenShine9

I believe WGME is like that - they tend to go against their bosses sometimes. I'm surprised Sinclair hasn't tried to intervene there, but I guess Portland, ME isn't seen as a "micromanaging" market.

WPEC also lost Kerrin Jeromin and Steve Glazier (husband and wife meteorologists), Steve is going to WeatherNation in Denver and Kerrin is looking right now? They'll be down to 2 there I believe. They are a distant third now in the market I believe?

I believe WDSU has openings as well, but they seem to hold their veterans a lot better, or reach out from elsewhere.

That may be a "looser" Sinclair station in your market with a news director not afraid to take them on? Also, just wondering if SBG has deals with other owners for their own shows (like Full Measure) to air them in markets that lack a Sinclair station? Or do other owners hate them so much? Even in deep red areas, there are many markets (and even some entire states) with no Sinclair presence.

I don't think so.

If they are taking over early, what happens to stations that MG is divesting?

There may have been threats from CBS of pulling their affiliation? Even though they shouldn't be trying to bully one of their top affiliates especially when there isn't a good alternative for CBS to place their affiliation (would they really jump to WGNO and give ABC a life preserver in NOLA by moving from a dog station to the market leader? Can't see WDSU or WVUE switching).

If they want to add news, maybe a Pensacola-focused newscast at a different time, to give WEAR some competition?

Only WCVB still has the old format.

Of course WABI creams them in the ratings as well...WABI is probably the most dominant (in its market) station in New England in a competitive market.

KMBC and WVTM have also adopted it.

WPTZ, WDSU and WLWT have switched.

I just wonder how long KIDY and KXVA will be Fox affiliates. One part of me thinks they will swap affiliations with one of the Nexstar duopoly stations in each market...

It's a tough market to work in if you are not at WMAZ, since that station blows all the others out of the water.

Isn't WGNO's News With A Twist a comedy newscast?

Speaking of stations short in the weather department, I know Chris Still has been called in to work for WSAV temporarily, as they are down to 2 mets (with 2 openings). He lost his position with WAGT when it was absorbed by Gray into WRDW, but I think remains employed by Media General.

Especially since a good number of MG and Nexstar stations are in 3rd or 4th place in their markets. It isn't as easy as with, say, Raycom or Gray, who have a lot of market-dominant stations.

Weekends at a distant 4th place station isn't worth that much. Plus, she has all the certifications, which is a LOT more than many high-ranking weather people in even bigger markets have.

I never realized Glenwood Springs was in the Denver DMA. That likely would be a significant difference maker to avoid *additional* MG station divestments beyond the conflicts.

They do realize that they still have to sell at least 6 of the stations?

For how much longer though? Could Nexstar screw that one up?

Regarding Tegna and the Tribune stations, there are several they could pick up easily as duopoly pieces without touching the cap and at a fairly low price, in Washington DC (although it breaks up a news partnership), Houston, Dallas and Portland OR (if the FCC permits such).

Also, for weather at least, markets in the west are generally smaller than their number appears compared to eastern or central markets due to much less in the way of demanding situations. Many western stations have non-meteorologists on their weather staff, while that is increasingly rare even in small markets in eastern and central states. I'm defining "western" as west of the Rocky Mountains.

It makes me wonder if a move from market 210 to 1 is possible...

It's the largest market network station that is not an O&O - meaning it brings in big money for sure.