Tribune Company exiting Chapter 11; TV Group Predictions

[PIXfan 34]

For those of us living under a rock, Tribune Company's plan to exit Chapter 11 bankruptcy was approved last month. Information on the situation can be found here: http://www.financierworldwide.com/article.php?id=9718

 

Also, you can consult the Tribune thread in the New York News forum.

 

I have been thinking about what may happen as far as the Tribune Broadcasting division is concerned. A poster in the Tribune thread said the company's new ownership group will look to trim expenses and run Tribune leaner. He added that many television stations, as well as the company's faltering newspaper division, may be sold.

 

While I don't know too much about the newspaper division (Newsday was once owned by Tribune in my New York City market, it is now owned by Cablevision), I am well-versed in the TV division.

 

What follows now is what I believe may happen to the Tribune Company's television stations (I hope that this is not seen as a list; I know moderators are very touchy about that).

 

First of all, let me reiterate...WPIX in New York City, KTLA in Los Angeles, and flagship station WGN-TV in Chicago are SAFE. The ownership group will not even touch them.

 

But I also believe that other stations in the "Top Ten" Markets, WPHL in Philadelphia, KDAF in Dallas/Fort Worth, KIAH in Houston, and WDCW in Washington, D.C., are also safe.

 

I cannot say the same about the remaining sixteen television stations in the portfolio, especially in the smallest markets.

 

I will start with Tribune's largest market after the "Top Ten," Seattle/Tacoma, Washington State (DMA #14).

 

KCPQ (Fox) and KZJO (MyNetworkTV) will be sold, and I predict that News Corporation/Fox Television Stations will be the buyer, marking the Fox Network owner's first foray into the Pacific Northwest. As a result, KCPQ will drop its longtime "Q13" branding and become simply "Fox 13." KZJO will drop its "Joe TV" branding and become "My22," or perhaps "MyNetworkTV Seattle." And of course, MyNet will return to primetime on the station.

 

WSFL-TV in Miami/Fort Lauderdale (DMA #16) will be sold, especially if the newspaper division, which owns the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, is put up for sale. The only possible buyer I could see stepping in is Sunbeam Television, owner of Fox-affiliiated WSVN, creating South Florida's fourth duopoly.

 

KWGN-TV in Denver (DMA #18) is one of Tribune Broadcasting's longest owned stations, which used to have a lot of history and command a lot of respect. That being said, entering an LMA with Local TV LLC's Fox affiliate KDVR did nothing but hurt them in the long run. Also, Tribune's new ownership group might not care too much about KWGN's history in Colorado. It will be sold directly to Local TV LLC, creating this market's third duopoly.

 

The Sacramento/Stockton/Modesto, California market (DMA #20) hosts Tribune's Fox affiliate KTXL-TV. I don't know how well this station does, but if it does as well as I think, there could be two owners duking it out to buy this particular station...News Corporation/Fox Television Stations, and possibly Cox Enterprises, owners of famous Fox affiliate KTVU in San Francisco/Oakland/San Jose.

 

Things could get very interesting in St. Louis (DMA #21), where Tribune owns CW affilate KPLR. Like in Denver, KPLR is involved in an LMA with Local TV LLC, which owns Fox affiliate KTVI. As much as Tribune would like to sell KPLR to Local TV LLC, it will NOT happen, as KTVI and KPLR are two of the top four stations in this market, and FCC duopoly rules prohibit common ownership of two of the top four TV stations in any market.

That being said, if Tribune decides to exit St. Louis anyway, I can see one media company that could, would, and probably SHOULD buy KPLR.

 

That media company is The Walt Disney Company, owners of ABC. When KTVI dumped ABC for Fox in 1995, then-Capital Cities-owned ABC tried to affiliate with KPLR, only to be turned down. My theory is Koplar Communications, owner of KPLR back then, feared that the station may lose its local identity. As a result, ABC got stuck with former Fox affiliate KDNL, and we all know what has happened after that.

 

In recent years, there has been speculation that Tribune, now under control of Sam Zell, might try to get the ABC affiliation in St. Louis for KPLR. However, ABC renewed its pact with KDNL and other ABC stations owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group through 2015.

But I think that if the opportunity presents itself to get away from KDNL sooner, Disney/ABC should take it! Buy KPLR, make it an ABC O&O, heavily invest in a news operation, and let KDNL live out the rest of its days as a CW affiliate.

 

Granted, Disney/ABC isn't keen on buying stations. They own eight stations, the least of any English-language TV network, and they sold their outlets in Flint, Michigan (WJRT) and Toledo, Ohio (WTVG) back in 2010. But given their network's recent status as an afterthought in St. Louis,

I think Disney/ABC will make a HUGE exception in this case.

 

To sum up, Disney/ABC buys KPLR, brands it as "ABC11," heavily invests in local news, and they end up more competitive than they ever were since losing KTVI. KDNL becomes the new CW affiliate, going by "CW30," either becoming more watchable or even more obscure.

 

Moving on...

 

Portland/Salem, Oregon (DMA #22) hosts Tribune's CW affiliate KRCW-TV (Portland's CW32). I believe KRCW will be sold to Belo Corporation, whose NBC affilate KGW produces the station's 10 p.m. newscast. This results in Portland's second duopoly.

 

Indianapolis, Indiana (DMA #25) hosts Tribune's Fox affiliate WXIN-TV (Fox 59), and CW affiliates WTTV/WTTK (Indiana's 4). I actually read up on this particular cluster. WXIN is one of Fox Broadcasting Company's, as well as Tribune's, strongest stations. This is probably due to the fact that WXIN has invested more in local news and less in syndicated programming. I would bet the farm that News Corporation/Fox Television Stations would jump at the bit to buy this cluster, if only to get their hands on WXIN. However, News Corp./Fox, wanting nothing to do with the CW, would flip WTTV/WTTK to MyNetworkTV, becoming "My4," and sending the CW to LIN's WNDY-TV.

 

San Diego (DMA #28) is home of Tribune's Fox affiliate KSWB (Fox 5). News Corporation/Fox Television Stations could step in and buy this station, and pool resources with its west coast flagship station KTTV (Fox 11) in Los Angeles. But I am a little bit "iffy" on this one.

 

The Hartford/New Haven market in Connecticut (DMA #30) hosts a bunch of Tribune properties, including Fox affiliate WTIC-TV (Fox 61/Fox Connecticut) and CW affiliate WCCT-TV (formerly WTXX), which are part of CT 1 Media, or "Connecticut's News Room." Once again, News Corporation/Fox Television Stations could buy the duopoly and make it part of its Northeast Corridor of O&Os (WNYW New York, WTXF Philadelphia, and WFXT Boston), but again, I am not too sure. However, as would be the case in Indianapolis, Fox would want nothing to do with the CW, and would flip WCCT to MyNetworkTV, becoming "My20 Connecticut," and sending the CW to LIN's WCTX.

 

Grand Rapids/Kalamazoo/Battle Creek, Michigan (DMA #39) hosts Tribune's longtime Fox affiliate WXMI-TV (Fox 17). I could see this station going to Local TV LLC.

 

Harrisburg/York/Lancaster/Lebanon, Pennsylvania (DMA #41) is the home of Tribune's longtime Fox affiliate WPMT (Fox 43). News Corporation/Fox Television Stations could buy this outlet, if only to have a "bureau" at Pennsylvania's state capital for its O&O WTXF in Philadelphia. This will likely NOT happen, however. Local TV LLC could snatch this station up as well.

 

Finally, we arrive in Tribune's smallest market, New Orleans (DMA #53). Here, they own ABC affiliate WGNO, and CW affiliate WNOL-TV (NOLA38).

Tribune is DEFINITELY getting out of this market, for two reasons...They have owned the ABC affiliation on WGNO since 1996, which strikes me as odd, given their TV portfolio has always been comprised of mostly Fox and WB/CW affiliates. Also, it's DMA #53. Yes, Belo and Hearst own in this market too (CBS affiliate WWL-TV and NBC affiliate WDSU-TV, respectively). But those groups own in SMALLER markets as well. I could see WGNO/WNOL going to three companies... Local TV LLC, Nexstar Broadcasting, or even Gray Television.

 

Let me know what your ideas regarding Tribune Broadcasting are. It would be interesting to hear differing ideas on this.

[IndyNewsGuy 13]

I think you are dead on in Indianapolis, if Tribune cuts WXIN. How could you not want to buy a station that brings in the big bucks and isn't a fixer upper? Good Write-Up.

[RetroCirq 148]

In quite honesty, while Sunbeam may be a good buyer for WSFL-TV, I would also see WPLG's parent (Post-Newsweek) take a shot at creating a duopoly with WSFL. (Seeing that they lost a chance at buying WTVJ from NBC, I say why not!)

[Viper550 290]

I begin to wonder. Local TV hasn't really made big purchases lately (and I mean, major purchases. Completing a CBS/CW duopoly doesn't count). Given that they're basically sleeping in bed with Tribune in a few markets, do you think that some of the other Tribune stations could be a good fit for Local TV?

 

Like, if they sold KWGN, it'd probably just be a formality and not really change things cause they're already merged together.

[PIXfan 34]

I begin to wonder. Local TV hasn't really made big purchases lately (and I mean, major purchases. Completing a CBS/CW duopoly doesn't count). Given that they're basically sleeping in bed with Tribune in a few markets, do you think that some of the other Tribune stations could be a good fit for Local TV?

 

Like, if they sold KWGN, it'd probably just be a formality and not really change things cause they're already merged together.

 

That's an excellent question. My answer is no. Particularly with most of Tribune's Fox affiliates, which I believe will become mostly Fox O&Os.

 

As far as KWGN is concerned, I made it more than clear in the Tribune thread in the New York News forum, that Tribune never should have entered these LMAs in Denver (or St. Louis). KWGN's historical standing in Denver, and Colorado as a whole, is pretty much ruined at this point. Nothing that the new GM of the virtual duopoly does will change that. And as I mentioned when I posted this thread, Tribune's new ownership group may not care too much about KWGN's once-proud history. Since KWGN is "sleeping in bed" with KDVR, Tribune should just cut its losses and let Local TV have it.

[stevieboy247 42]

It would be nice for News Corp to snatch up WPMT because the Harrisburg-Lancaster-Lebanon-York market would have its first O&O, but I don't think Fox would be interested in a TV station in that market, so I don't see that happening.

[Viper550 290]

That's an excellent question. My answer is no. Particularly with most of Tribune's Fox affiliates, which I believe will become mostly Fox O&Os.

 

As far as KWGN is concerned, I made it more than clear in the Tribune thread in the New York News forum, that Tribune never should have entered these LMAs in Denver (or St. Louis). KWGN's historical standing in Denver, and Colorado as a whole, is pretty much ruined at this point. Nothing that the new GM of the virtual duopoly does will change that. And as I mentioned when I posted this thread, Tribune's new ownership group may not care too much about KWGN's once-proud history. Since KWGN is "sleeping in bed" with KDVR, Tribune should just cut its losses and let Local TV have it.

 

However, it feels like O&O-wise, Fox has been trying to aim more towards bigger markets. Why do you think it sold all those assorted mid-market O&Os to Local TV in the first place?

[PIXfan 34]

However, it feels like O&O-wise, Fox has been trying to aim more towards bigger markets. Why do you think it sold all those assorted mid-market O&Os to Local TV in the first place?

 

For that exact reason...to focus on bigger markets. But Fox would be foolish not to consider Seattle, or Indianapolis, at the very least.

[AaronQ 279]

I will honestly think that if Tribune is selling WGNO it will be either Cox Media Group, Meredith Corporation, Post-Newsweek, Raycom Media (since they own stations in Louisiana such as KSLA in Shreveport, WAFB in Baton Rouge, and KPLC in Lake Charles), Scripps, I hate to say this but Sinclair, or LIN Media

[PIXfan 34]

I will honestly think that if Tribune is selling WGNO it will be either Cox Media Group, Meredith Corporation, Post-Newsweek, Raycom Media (since they own stations in Louisiana such as KSLA in Shreveport, WAFB in Baton Rouge, and KPLC in Lake Charles), Scripps, I hate to say this but Sinclair, or LIN Media

 

Out of the choices you presented for WGNO/WNOL, Raycom actually makes the most sense because of its presence in other Louisiana markets. Actually, I could see Raycom starting a statewide news network, with WGNO as its flagship. But I am just speculating on this.

[AaronQ 279]

Out of the choices you presented for WGNO/WNOL, Raycom actually makes the most sense because of its presence in other Louisiana markets. Actually, I could see Raycom starting a statewide news network, with WGNO as its flagship. But I am just speculating on this.

I actually see that as well especially what Raycom did for Alabama (WBRC, WSFA, WAFF, and WTVM) and the Carolinas (WBTV, WIS, WECT, and WCSC)

[Daybreak 287]

I actually see that as well especially what Raycom did for Alabama (WBRC, WSFA, WAFF, and WTVM) and the Carolinas (WBTV, WIS, WECT, and WCSC)

 

You are actually missing WMBF from Myrtle Beach, SC

[AaronQ 279]

You are actually missing WMBF from Myrtle Beach, SC

Dang I forgot about WMBF lol. Thanks

[ABC 7 Denver 1712]

That's an excellent question. My answer is no. Particularly with most of Tribune's Fox affiliates, which I believe will become mostly Fox O&Os.

 

As far as KWGN is concerned, I made it more than clear in the Tribune thread in the New York News forum, that Tribune never should have entered these LMAs in Denver (or St. Louis). KWGN's historical standing in Denver, and Colorado as a whole, is pretty much ruined at this point. Nothing that the new GM of the virtual duopoly does will change that. And as I mentioned when I posted this thread, Tribune's new ownership group may not care too much about KWGN's once-proud history. Since KWGN is "sleeping in bed" with KDVR, Tribune should just cut its losses and let Local TV have it.

 

What we're seeing on the Denver end, at least from the promos, is that KDVR is trying to portray KWGN as the once proud station it was. Channel7fan, you are right. Big mistake creating that LMA. Local TV has completely gutted that station. If they acquired KWGN, Daybreak and the News at 7 would be out. I think they have those programs only to satisfy the LMA and, more directly, Tribune. Like KUSA does on 9News. They play repeats or news programs with the same news teams. I don't see it really as far of a stretch to play Good Day Co from 7-9 on KDVR and continue from 9-11 on KWGN. Move the News at 9 on KDVR to KWGN, in competition with the syndicated KTVD "network", and keep a pretty standard (big 3) schedule on Fox 31. I could also see them consolidating websites too. KDVR would also start using KWGN as a secondary FOX network or news channel. But I have a secondary proposal.

 

CBS Corporation bought WLNY for $55 million in December 2011. So they may be willing to buy another station.

 

We know they own KCNC (CBS 4). I have only one reason to suspect they might sell it. They sold 3 local O&O radio stations to Wilks Broadcasting for $19.5 million in December 2008. CEO Leslie Moonves said "This deal marks another step forward in our strategy of exiting mid-size radio markets." I think we can brush this off because this pertains to radio stations only http://www.rttnews.c....aspx?Id=809272. And as many of us know, radio is dying. So, in this instance, I think CBS's move was perfect.

 

My thought is that CBS may see the history of KWGN and see its potential. As an affiliate of the CW, they will not have to change any networking agreement. They could invest heavily into news department and really bring some vibrancy back to the station.

 

As it stands, KWGN's news department is crap. The new GM at KDVR has reestablished a traditional broadcast style. I don't think he has focused too intently on KWGN so new management in the form of KCNC might be good. It would also work in favor of KCNC. They are still barely trailing second in the ratings only to KUSA. KUSA has KTVD (Channel (My) 20.) to give them a boost. But the programming on KTVD sucks. CW programming is actually pretty good in comparison. So this buy might give KCNC the boost to #1 that they need.

 

What are your (and anybody's) thoughts about this option? It seems viable. I don't know, though, if Local TV is in a wait-and-hold position or they are actively looking for new properties.

[eyewitness_news 5]

The Hartford/New Haven market in Connecticut (DMA #30) hosts a bunch of Tribune properties, including Fox affiliate WTIC-TV (Fox 61/Fox Connecticut) and CW affiliate WCCT-TV (formerly WTXX), which are part of CT 1 Media, or "Connecticut's News Room." Once again, News Corporation/Fox Television Stations could buy the duopoly and make it part of its Northeast Corridor of O&Os (WNYW New York, WTXF Philadelphia, and WFXT Boston), but again, I am not too sure. However, as would be the case in Indianapolis, Fox would want nothing to do with the CW, and would flip WCCT to MyNetworkTV, becoming "My20 Connecticut," and sending the CW to LIN's WCTX.

 

 

Though I have mixed feelings for Fox Connecticut and WCCT being sold to NewsCorporation/Fox Television Stations, Inc. -- keep in mind, The Hartford Courant, is also owned by Tribune here in Connecticut -- I could definitely see them joining NewsCorp's Northeast Corridor of O&Os. By flipping WCCT to MyNetwork TV, WCCT could follow WWOR's lead and air an 11pm newscast produced by WTIC (Fox Connecticut), giving its first own newscast in over a decade when Tribune acquired WCCT (then WTXX). Whether NewsCorp would buy The Hartford Courant or not is still uncertain.

[AaronQ 279]

The Hartford/New Haven market in Connecticut (DMA #30) hosts a bunch of Tribune properties, including Fox affiliate WTIC-TV (Fox 61/Fox Connecticut) and CW affiliate WCCT-TV (formerly WTXX), which are part of CT 1 Media, or "Connecticut's News Room." Once again, News Corporation/Fox Television Stations could buy the duopoly and make it part of its Northeast Corridor of O&Os (WNYW New York, WTXF Philadelphia, and WFXT Boston), but again, I am not too sure. However, as would be the case in Indianapolis, Fox would want nothing to do with the CW, and would flip WCCT to MyNetworkTV, becoming "My20 Connecticut," and sending the CW to LIN's WCTX.

I am thinking that either Fox Television Stations or Raycom Media would get WTIC/WCCT

[PIXfan 34]

 

 

What we're seeing on the Denver end, at least from the promos, is that KDVR is trying to portray KWGN as the once proud station it was. Channel7fan, you are right. Big mistake creating that LMA. Local TV has completely gutted that station. If they acquired KWGN, Daybreak and the News at 7 would be out. I think they have those programs only to satisfy the LMA and, more directly, Tribune. Like KUSA does on 9News. They play repeats or news programs with the same news teams. I don't see it really far of a stretch to play Good Day Co from 7-9 on KDVR and continue from 9-11 on KWGN. Move the News at 9 on KDVR to KWGN, in competition with the syndicated KTVD "network", and keep a pretty standard (big 3) schedule on Fox 31. I could also see them consolidating websites too. KDVR would also start using KWGN as a secondary FOX network or news channel. But I have a secondary proposal.

 

CBS Corporation just bought WLNY for $55 million in December 2011. So they may be willing to buy another station.

 

We know they own KCNC (CBS 4). I have only one reason to suspect they might sell it. They sold 3 local O&O radio stations to Wilks Broadcasting for $19.5 million in December 2008. CEO Leslie Moonves said "This deal marks another step forward in our strategy of exiting mid-size radio markets." I think we can brush this off because this pertains to radio stations only (http://www.rttnews.c....aspx?Id=809272). And as many of us know, radio is dying. So, in this instance, I think CBS's move was perfect.

 

My thought is that CBS may see the history of KWGN and see its potential. As an affiliate of the CW, they will not have to change any networking agreement. They could heavily into news department and really bring some vibrancy back to the station.

 

As it stands, KWGN's news department is crap. The new GM at KDVR has reestablished a traditional broadcast style. I don't think he has focused too intently on KWGN so new management in the form of KCNC might be good. It would also work in favor of KCNC. They are still barely trailing second in the ratings only to KUSA. KUSA has KTVD (Channel (My) 20.) to give them a boost. But the programming on KTVD sucks. CW programming is actually pretty good in comparison. So this buy might give KCNC the boost to #1 that they need.

 

What are your (and anybody's) thoughts about this option? It seems viable. I don't know, though, if Local TV is in a wait-and-hold position or they are actively looking for new properties.

 

CBS Corporation could step in and buy KWGN, and combine it with its O&O KCNC. I forgot all about CBS. KWGN would become another CW O&O, and they would not have to make that many programming changes. In fact as is the case with WCBS/WLNY in New York, they could have double-runs of its programming, as is the case in NYC with "Judge Judy," "Dr. Phil," "The Doctors," and "Entertainment Tonight." Now that you mention it, SamUnreel, CBS Corporation could also run a possible KCNC/KWGN combination like it runs KOVR/KMAX in Sacramento/Stockton/Modesto, which are technically two separate news operations under one roof. For example, KOVR has a morning newscast, but KMAX also broadcasts the long-running "Good Day Sacramento." Things could get only better for KWGN, in fact things could get a hell of lot better, if CBS considers buying KWGN. Good call.

[TexasTVNews 1377]

One Question, If CBS buys Denver's CW2 and combine it with CBS 4 KCNC, are they're KWGN be forced to change call letters?

[PIXfan 34]

One Question, If CBS buys Denver's CW2 and combine it with CBS 4 KCNC, are they're KWGN be forced to change call letters?

 

If that is the case, and KWGN is forced to change its callsign, I could imagine the station going back to KFEL-TV, which was Channel's 2 callsign when it first signed on. And plus, other callsigns would not make any sense (Source: Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KWGN-TV).

[ABC 7 Denver 1712]

One Question, If CBS buys Denver's CW2 and combine it with CBS 4 KCNC, are they're KWGN be forced to change call letters?

 

I don't know what reason, nor incentive, CBS Corp would have to change the call letters. The name KWGN has a lot of history in and of itself. I think that would be chucking the baby out with the bath water.

[newsdude 57]

....things could get a hell of lot better, if CBS considers buying KWGN.

 

Being an O&O doesn't equal a panacea like it used to. If WBBM pulls 5th place for its 6pm newscast, the rest of the chain suffers. If Roz Abrams blows up in WCBS's face, the rest of the chain suffers. Plus, CBS doesn't have a clue how to run local TV anymore, especially since the braintrust in NY runs the show for all of the O&Os now.

[24994J 5556]

If WBBM pulls 5th place for its 6pm newscast, the rest of the chain suffers.

I don't know if you're being hypothetical, but they're actually 3rd at 6, solid at 5 and quite competitive at 10. At any rate, they're far better off now than at any time in the last 15 years. Something's clearly working, even if they aren't setting the Chicago tv landscape ablaze...and alot of that success stems from decisions made in New York.

[C Block 1566]

Did I miss something?

 

Was anything published anywhere saying that KWGN is getting sold?

 

No?

 

Okay. Thanks.

[PIXfan 34]

Did I miss something?

 

Was anything published anywhere saying that KWGN is getting sold?

 

No?

 

Okay. Thanks.

 

KWGN is not being sold...yet. In any case, this thread is about what COULD happen to many of Tribune Company's television stations; it doesn't mean that most of my suggestions, as well as those of others, will actually come to fruition.

 

Also, before Tribune can sell any of its TV properties, they have to seek approval from the FCC to transfer their stations' licenses to their new ownership group, and that could take a while.

[ABC 7 Denver 1712]

In general, as Charles and I have talk about, Denver news is pretty weak. KUSA is only #1 because people continually return to the same network they have been watching for many years. Additionally, you can literally watch 9News, 7News and CBS4 at the same time and find them playing the same stories in very similar if not identical order. So yes while we are only theorizing about the future dealings of Tribune, and yes, while KWGN may be on the chopping block at some future date, we are not saying that CBS Corp. nor Local TV will definitively buy the station. Although these are the most likely candidates.

 

As it stands, KCNC is just a notch up from KDVR in news quality, but barely. If CBS Corp did in any way express an interest in KWGN, it might just become another CW station with the CW logo and a number 2 next to it. We don't know. That is not what I, and if I may be so bold, we, want. We want a powerful CW affiliate with unique branding and hard hitting news that strongly competes if not overpowers KDVR. We don't want a weakened station that is in cahoots with KDVR. This is what the oldest station in Denver deserves? C'mon!

 

We are looking towards new station management to bring us broadcasting a cut above the rest. The only reason I suggested CBS Corp. is because they have the financial backing and talent (especially owning the CBS Network) with managing television stations. A buy here might signal them to step up their game! But at the moment, Denver news is a lame duck and that is why you won't find me watching it. I'll turn to a 880 WCBS if I want news. Thank you!