Sinclair...Again

[Mrtraveler01 738]

 

Also, enjoy the Fisher stations' websites while you can -- though if Sinclair was smart, they'd keep the sites as-is, ditch their recently-launched POS sites, and start replicating the designs of the Fisher sites.

 

I won't be holding my breath.

 

Sinclair smart? Surely you jest.

 

And yeah, I'm going to be very bummed when KOMO and KATU get those godawful Sinclair layouts. The Fisher websites look very user friendly (ie: money was actually put into investing the development of those websites instead of having some guys in Baltimore design a website that would get a C- in a webpage development class).

 

I tried giving the Sinclair websites a chance...but I can't, they're too frustrating to use.

[tyrannical bastard 3951]

I was just watching the live stream of KOMO...very solid newscast with experienced talent and quality presentation.

 

I'm hoping some of the things they do are carried over to other Sinclair stations, and they are not Sinclair-ized right away.

 

I happened to catch last night's show not knowing that they would consummate the sale today. At least they were able to cobble together a new copyright ending that wasn't for Fisher.

[CircleSeven 1955]

 

Also, enjoy the Fisher stations' websites while you can -- though if Our Lord and Savior was smart, they'd keep the sites as-is, ditch their recently-launched POS sites, and start replicating the designs of the Fisher sites.

 

I won't be holding my breath.

 

 

 

Our Lord and Savior smart? Surely you jest.

 

And yeah, I'm going to be very bummed when KOMO and KATU get those godawful Our Lord and Savior layouts. The Fisher websites look very user friendly (ie: money was actually put into investing the development of those websites instead of having some guys in Baltimore design a website that would get a C- in a webpage development class).

 

I tried giving the Our Lord and Savior websites a chance...but I can't, they're too frustrating to use.

 

Y'all talking about websites (which I'm not holding my breath either, if they keep the sites a status quo), I wonder what they're going to do with that "humongous kingdom" Fisher Plaza. With some of that force probably get the boot, I wouldn't be shocked if they would lease parts of the building for other firms to use. The smart thing they would probably do would be form a new hub at the Plaza for the newly-acquired west coast stations (including KTVL & possibly the Fresno duo). But knowing how Our Lord and Savior operates, they'll take their sweet time doing changes.

 

The Cox acquisition got the FCC greenlight (4/29) and it got consummated in two days (5/1). FCC greenlighted this acquisition yesterday morning, and they announced the closing just hours ago. Should the Barrington acquisition get the greenlight, will this get close within hours after they get the greenlight? But the major questions are how S!nclair is going to tackle all of these stations post-transaction. They're best bet is to start now with the Fisher stations. The Barrington ones will be a major battle, because many of those stations are not producing news in HD.

 

Speaking of S!nclair and the Seattle market, I ran across this commentary piece from the blog of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. And this blogger basically explained how strong & special the local ownership was from yesteryear, and gave his own two cents on how Our Lord and Savior and Gannett is going to do with the new stations in town.

[sanewsguy 511]

You guys are acting like the apocalypse just happened. Sinclair closed in on some TV stations in the Northwest. Big deal. I see no changes in the meantime with Sinclair keeping everything status quo. The websites will probably change over when Fisher's contract with BIM expires. I've never really grown to like the sites to be honest. They've always been, just flat out ugly to me. Having said that, the Sinclair sites are bad only because they were done in-house by "some guys in Baltimore...that would get a C- in a webpage development class" (-Mrtraveler01). If they had Worldnow or someone else take Sinclair's concept and execute it better, then the sites would be better. Aesthetically speaking, the Sinclair sites look much much better than the Fisher ones. The Sinclair ones just don't "function" the way they're supposed to.

 

No one is going to get fired at KOMO/KATU right off the bat. Maybe later, Dan Lewis or someone else will refuse to take a pay cut (wah, wah that's their problem; they're overpaid as it is) and leave. KOMO will benefit under Sinclair probably and go HD (they've been in widescreen forever) and possibly a new set from Devlin. I hope KOMO (and KATU) managed to get some car dealership to sponsor their choppers otherwise they'll be kissing them goodbye (it's not that Sinclair hates choppers, Sinclair hates the costs associated with operating choppers).

 

 

Y'all talking about websites (which I'm not holding my breath either, if they keep the sites a status quo), I wonder what they're going to do with that "humongous kingdom" Fisher Plaza. With some of that force probably get the boot, I wouldn't be shocked if they would lease parts of the building for other firms to use. The smart thing they would probably do would be form a new hub at the Plaza for the newly-acquired west coast stations (including KTVL & possibly the Fresno duo). But knowing how Sinclair operates, they'll take their sweet time doing changes.

 

Fisher actually sold the Plaza a couple of years ago. KOMO signed a long-term lease to remain there. If anything, Sinclair will just scale their lease back to cut costs. No reason for them to relocate or form a hub.

 

The remaining stations are already run like small-market stations anyway which means little change (although my hopes for KBOI moving out of a NAPA Auto Parts store is probably ruined).

 

I wish the FCC would hurry up and approve ComCorp and Barrington already...

[GoldenShine9 1513]

 

You guys are acting like the apocalypse just happened. Sinclair closed in on some TV stations in the Northwest. Big deal. I see no changes in the meantime with Sinclair keeping everything status quo. The websites will probably change over when Fisher's contract with BIM expires. I've never really grown to like the sites to be honest. They've always been, just flat out ugly to me. Having said that, the Sinclair sites are bad only because they were done in-house by "some guys in Baltimore...that would get a C- in a webpage development class" (-Mrtraveler01). If they had Worldnow or someone else take Sinclair's concept and execute it better, then the sites would be better. Aesthetically speaking, the Sinclair sites look much much better than the Fisher ones. The Sinclair ones just don't "function" the way they're supposed to.

 

No one is going to get fired at KOMO/KATU right off the bat. Maybe later, Dan Lewis or someone else will refuse to take a pay cut (wah, wah that's their problem; they're overpaid as it is) and leave. KOMO will benefit under Sinclair probably and go HD (they've been in widescreen forever) and possibly a new set from Devlin. I hope KOMO (and KATU) managed to get some car dealership to sponsor their choppers otherwise they'll be kissing them goodbye (it's not that Sinclair hates choppers, Sinclair hates the costs associated with operating choppers).

 

Fisher actually sold the Plaza a couple of years ago. KOMO signed a long-term lease to remain there. If anything, Sinclair will just scale their lease back to cut costs. No reason for them to relocate or form a hub.

 

The remaining stations are already run like small-market stations anyway which means little change (although my hopes for KBOI moving out of a NAPA Auto Parts store is probably ruined).

 

I wish the FCC would hurry up and approve ComCorp and Barrington already...

 

Those deals have a lot more issues with them in terms of duopolies and triopolies, while Sinclair/Fisher - despite the emotional issues that have come up - have no major overlaps and was an easier one to go through.

[CircleSeven 1955]

 

Okay. I'm kind of puzzled with this.

 

But yesterday. I've seen the status of WSYT application (Form 314) from WSYT Licensee, L.P. (Sinclair) to Syracuse (WSYT-TV) Licensee, Inc. (Cunningham) stating DISMISSED. Now I dunno the reasoning for the dismissal. Are they'll going to file again? Or a new firm is going to apply to acquire WSYT? Or whatever they going to do. Our Lord and Savior is buying NBC station WSTM and other stations from outgoing Schaumburg, IL based station group Barrington Broadcasting. And those applications (which was filed March 18) have yet received the greenlight from the FCC.

 

Follow Up Time!!!! And in a big way, y'all.

 

Anyone who wanted to know the reason why that application of WSYT to Cunningham Broadcasting was dismissed, we now know why.

 

Through tonight's paperwork, it appears a completely different entity will buy WSYT from Sinclair. And that outsider is........Brian Brady!!!!

 

Through another separate licensee title, Bristlecone Broadcasting, LLC, Brady will be paying Sinclair $20M, and it will also assume WNYS's LMA.

 

Brady already owns WICZ in Binghamton, he'll have another Upstate NY market to play with. Brady continues to get stations by the piece.

[sanewsguy 511]

I hope Brian Brady will invest in his stations. I'm not impressed with the Stainless group or WICZ although he did do a decent job with KZTV (before KRIS took them over and ruined KZTV)...

[Samantha 2895]

 

Follow Up Time!!!! And in a big way, y'all.

 

Anyone who wanted to know the reason why that application of WSYT to Cunningham Broadcasting was dismissed, we now know why.

 

Through tonight's paperwork, it appears a completely different entity will buy WSYT from Sinclair. And that outsider is........Brian Brady!!!!

 

Through another separate licensee title, Bristlecone Broadcasting, LLC, Brady will be paying Sinclair $20M, and it will also assume WNYS's LMA.

 

Brady already owns WICZ in Binghamton, he'll have another Upstate NY market to play with. Brady continues to get stations by the piece.

 

How many license names does Brady need? Stainless (WICZ), Northwest, Blackhawk (KYMA/KSWT), Eagle Creek (KVTV) and Bristlecone. That's overkill.

[GoldenShine9 1513]

 

Follow Up Time!!!! And in a big way, y'all.

 

Anyone who wanted to know the reason why that application of WSYT to Cunningham Broadcasting was dismissed, we now know why.

 

Through tonight's paperwork, it appears a completely different entity will buy WSYT from Sinclair. And that outsider is........Brian Brady!!!!

 

Through another separate licensee title, Bristlecone Broadcasting, LLC, Brady will be paying Sinclair $20M, and it will also assume WNYS's LMA.

 

Brady already owns WICZ in Binghamton, he'll have another Upstate NY market to play with. Brady continues to get stations by the piece.

 

Will they still be connected to Sinclair or an independent entity? Sounds like the FCC may have forced the issue...

[mre29 1521]

Aesthetically speaking, the Sinclair sites look much much better than the Fisher ones.

You're joking, right?

[Breaking News 829]

I was watching KOMO 4 newscast live the web, and their local news presentation very solid, but will turn very cookie cutter. Will Sinclair cut the pay of the many anchors at KOMO? Sinclair likes to do everything on the cheap?

 

Also with WJLA in play again Sinclair believes in young and cheap? It very scary to see Sinclair a player in top markets, and their website layout is about as cookie cutter as their local newscast.

 

As for the KOMO talent they should be very scared; Dan Lewis, Brad Goode, Mary Nam, Molly Shen, Steve Pool don't come cheap in

the Pacific NW. SMH-

[hathawaynson2 39]

 

Will they still be connected to Sinclair or an independent entity? Sounds like the FCC may have forced the issue...

 

Probably, be a separate entity far far away from Sinclair with a few exceptions like for example a Studio and Tower Lease and an Short Transitional Agreement.

Its quite funny that the Wikipedia page is saying for WSYT that is going to Cunningham Broadcasting when it should not be.

[Mrtraveler01 738]

 

I was watching KOMO 4 newscast live the web, and their local news presentation very solid, but will turn very cookie cutter. Will Sinclair cut the pay of the many anchors at KOMO? Sinclair likes to do everything on the cheap?

 

Also with WJLA in play again Sinclair believes in young and cheap? It very scary to see Sinclair a player in top markets, and their website layout is about as cookie cutter as their local newscast.

 

As for the KOMO talent they should be very scared; Dan Lewis, Brad Goode, Mary Nam, Molly Shen, Steve Pool don't come cheap in

the Pacific NW. SMH-

 

The winners out of these deals are WJLA, KOMO, and KATU's competitors. Unless Sinclair does the impossible and opens up their wallets to invest in these stations in order to keep them competitive in these competitive markets, they'll get crushed.

 

sanewsguy is right in that these stations will be ok in the short-term, but as soon as Sinclair starts meddling with the operations of these stations, that will be the time to see how people react to these changes and whether they help or hurt these stations in the end.

 

One example is WKRC. They're still doing fine because Sinclair hasn't done much with the on-air product minus the corporate-mandated propaganda news segments and town halls. but when they moved their webpage and phone apps to the Sinclair web format, people got upset. Sinclair needs to be careful how much they interfere with the on-air product or they are going to upset a lot of viewers.

[Viper550 291]

 

Probably, be a separate entity far far away from Sinclair with a few exceptions like for example a Studio and Tower Lease and an Short Transitional Agreement.

Its quite funny that the Wikipedia page is saying for WSYT that is going to Cunningham Broadcasting when it should not be.

 

I was actually in the middle of fixing that just now

[hathawaynson2 39]

 

I was actually in the middle of fixing that just now.

 

really, what a funny coincidence because it's now being sold to Bristlecone Broadcasting, LLC and retained by Sinclair??? I wonder what this would mean? I thought it was an outright purchase of both stations. I knew WSYT and WNYS are not going out coming out of the Sinclair operations, yet!

[TVIntheDesert 183]

 

I hope Brian Brady will invest in his stations. I'm not impressed with the Stainless group or WICZ although he did do a decent job with KZTV (before KRIS took them over and ruined KZTV)...

 

He's got to be able to improve the quality of the Yuma stations he's buying. I take it that after all is said and done, both stations will run out of KYMA's current studios. The KSWT property is pretty run-down.

[Samantha 2895]

 

He's got to be able to improve the quality of the Yuma stations he's buying. I take it that after all is said and done, both stations will run out of KYMA's current studios. The KSWT property is pretty run-down.

 

The KYMA studio is 8,500 square feet and was built in 1987 (KYMA signed on in 1988).

 

The KSWT studio is also 8,500 square feet in size—but it was built in 1963. (Wikipedia indicates that KSWT, as KBLU-TV c. 1970, took over studio space from the failed KIVA TV operation.)

 

Compare those two to KECY, which has a larger studio complex, at 11,300 square feet built in 1986; and KVYE/Entravision, the only one of these four which has its facilities in El Centro, whose facility is clearly newer (probably 1990s) but also houses two FM stations.

 

I'd choose the KYMA facility.

[TVIntheDesert 183]

 

 

Pappas doesn't have the money to fix their exterior signage. Also, it has been reported that the KSWT facility is haunted.

 

Count these things into consideration, as well as the possible asbestos cleanup from the building, and it appears that KYMA and KSWT will most likely consolidate at KYMA until Brady finds new, larger digs for them.

[24994J 5577]

 

Also, it has been reported that the KSWT facility is haunted.

 

A haunted TV station?

 

[Samantha 2895]

Yeah, that's a pretty clear choice. The fact that the 3 in 13 is missing in every single photo I've seen of that sign (Street View, the one in the Yuma Sun article and the one above) does not bode well. I think that's even several logo series out of date (their 1998 orange and purple logo, the Pappas/TVbD style logo and their current slanted-Impact logo are all different).

 

The day Blackhawk closes on its purchase of these stations (the FCC will grant them that FSW because of the market conditions) is the day KSWT's news operation is cherry-picked; you'll probably see a couple anchors/staffers stay, while everything else is jettisoned. I wouldn't be surprised to see KSWT's news be programmed as a complement to KYMA, particularly in early evenings. I don't think the KYMA studio will have space for both to do news at the same time, a limitation experienced by other tight duopolies like WICU/WSEE or (until a couple months ago) KESQ/KPSP.

[CircleSeven 1955]

The Paperwork Is Up!!!!

 

Here's the thorough breakdown of the consent applications (Form 315) of Transfer of Control of the stations owned by Allbritton Communications to Sinclair Broadcast Group, including the transaction description and purchase agreement. The paperwork of the agreement was made on Sunday, July 28. The announcement was made the following day. All the paperwork was posted on the FCC site after midnight (8/12).

 

Allbritton will formerly transfer its stations from its subsidiaries, Allholdco, Inc. (parent of Charleston Television, LLC, licensee of WCIV) and Perpetual Corporation (parent of the other television stations owned by Allbritton) to Sinclair Television Group, Inc., a subsidiary of Sinclair Broadcast Group. All the Allbritton subsidiaries are controlled by Joe Allbritton's son Robert L. Allbritton & widow, Barbara Allbritton. Each have separate trusts and both are co-executives of Joe Allbritton's estate. Sinclair will pay Allbritton $985M. Here's the paperwork for WJLA, WHTM, WSET, WCIV, WBMA/WCFT/WJSU, KATV & KTUL.

 

On the WCFT app, I find it very interesting that they treat WCFT & WJSU as an "Enhanced Coverage Duopoly" instead of one of the stations under a "satellite waiver", it includes a Voices Chart & a Ratings Chart. When you see the second page of the voices chart "Post-Consummation", you clearly see the possible future licensee names "WJSU Licensee, LLC" & "WCFT Licensee, LLC" (which leaves an open question I'm pondering since the announcement of the Fisher acquisition since most of the AOL/TOC apps have all been 315 TOC apps, could they reassign those stations post-consummation to different licensee names, similar to their "WXXX Licensee, LLC" to match the other stations they own?). And of course all three stations are under the same ratings clustered "WBMA+".

 

Because of stations they are acquiring are in markets where they already own, Sinclair has made consent (Form 314) assignment of License applications for four television stations they already own to its proxy companies. WTTO/WABM, & WHP will be assigned to Deerfield Media for $14.62M ($7.35M for WTTO/WABM and $7.27M for WHP). WMMP will be assigned to Howard Stirk Holdings for $2.29M. The asset purchase agreements for those assigned apps were made last Wednesday.

__________________________________________

 

 

In the slightest cases, I'm a bit shocked. I shouldn't care all that much, but I'm a bit shocked. I seriously thought Armstrong Williams would acquire WHP. It was kind of obvious that he would acquire WMMP because of ties to his home state of South Carolina. I guess that money talks. And its Mumblow who get most of the station's licenses. But I'm a little shocked that Williams didn't get WHP. But since both have dealings with the big man in Maryland, you don't always get what you want. There might be a chance for Williams to get a Harrisburg station, should Sinclair hold that option to acquire WLYH outright. And looking at that price that Williams is paying for WMMP, that's kind of low than WHP which was a tad bit high. I would've thought it would've cost more for the Birmingham duo, but not at the same price rate as WHP as a single station. I can't say I didn't see this coming in Birmingham. I knew Cunningham will continue to own WDBB, and I knew Deerfield was going to get the Birmingham. Now the ultimate question is, will this so called "Birmingham Sextopoly" (WBMA/WCFT/WJSU/WTTO/WDBB/WABM) could be unified under one building? I see them easily have an ABC 33/40 produced 9pm newscast on the CW to complete with top-rated WBRC 6.

 

But with all of that being said, this doesn't excuse the fact that with all these other station group companies out there, it had to be Sinclair to get WJLA and the rest of the Allbritton cluster. Like I stated, it should've been made piecemeal and it was ABC's to beat. We probably would never know if ABC made a bid or not. Sinclair already swallowed Fisher, back on Thursday (the consummation notices wasn't posted this morning, but those should be forthcoming). And they probably had no other alternative but to give WSYT to an outsider like Brady. I'm pondering if Sinclair would still use Cunningham or Deerfield to acquire WTVH, before Nexstar throws some Mission, if they do pursue to get a good chunk of Granite. Either way on that Syracuse situation, they really want the FCC to hurry up and grant those Barrington related applications, because we're reaching towards that fifth month mark. When all these apps get granted and close (Cunningham's Transfer to Anderson proper, Barrington, Titan, Allbritton), there best bet to come up with a long term strategic plan on an array of things (the purchase of sets/equipment, workflows, the works). They really need to do heavy work for damn near all of the Barrington stations. Only one station is in HD with a single-number stations are enhanced-definition widescreen. First they have to pick which stations will be under this new Chesapeake Television subsidiary. I'll say anything below the Dayton market would probably be where they should shove the rest of the stations to the new Chesapeake subsidiary.

 

Allbritton/Fisher folks, I hope y'all make those resume in case there's that roaring thunder that might be looming in DC & in Seattle. Prayers go to all of you in those affected areas.

 

BTW, Thanks broadcastfan9571 for beating me to it again. I saw your posting a couple of hours ago.

____________________________

 

Unrelated to this. We have a new M&A related to Sinclair.

 

It appears WWCP is being sold to Cunningham Broadcasting from Peak Media of Pennsylvania for $12M.

[GoldenShine9 1513]

 

The Paperwork Is Up!!!!

 

Here's the thorough breakdown of the consent applications (Form 315) of Transfer of Control of the stations owned by Allbritton Communications to Sinclair Broadcast Group, including the transaction description and purchase agreement. The paperwork of the agreement was made on Sunday, July 28. The announcement was made the following day. All the paperwork was posted on the FCC site after midnight (8/12).

 

Allbritton will formerly transfer its stations from its subsidiaries, Allholdco, Inc. (parent of Charleston Television, LLC, licensee of WCIV) and Perpetual Corporation (parent of the other television stations owned by Allbritton) to Sinclair Television Group, Inc., a subsidiary of Sinclair Broadcast Group. All the Allbritton subsidiaries are controlled by Joe Allbritton's son Robert L. Allbritton & widow, Barbara Allbritton. Each have separate trusts and both are co-executives of Joe Allbritton's estate. Sinclair will pay Allbritton $985M. Here's the paperwork for WJLA, WHTM, WSET, WCIV, WBMA/WCFT/WJSU, KATV & KTUL.

 

On the WCFT app, I find it very interesting that they treat WCFT & WJSU as an "Enhanced Coverage Duopoly" instead of one of the stations under a "satellite waiver", it includes a Voices Chart & a Ratings Chart. When you see the second page of the voices chart "Post-Consummation", you clearly see the possible future licensee names "WJSU Licensee, LLC" & "WCFT Licensee, LLC" (which leaves an open question I'm pondering since the announcement of the Fisher acquisition since most of the AOL/TOC apps have all been 315 TOC apps, could they reassign those stations post-consummation to different licensee names, similar to their "WXXX Licensee, LLC" to match the other stations they own?). And of course all three stations are under the same ratings clustered "WBMA+".

 

Because of stations they are acquiring are in markets where they already own, Sinclair has made consent (Form 314) assignment of License applications for four television stations they already own to its proxy companies. WTTO/WABM, & WHP will be assigned to Deerfield Media for $14.62M ($7.35M for WTTO/WABM and $7.27M for WHP). WMMP will be assigned to Howard Stirk Holdings for $2.29M. The asset purchase agreements for those assigned apps were made last Wednesday.

__________________________________________

 

 

In the slightest cases, I'm a bit shocked. I shouldn't care all that much, but I'm a bit shocked. I seriously thought Armstrong Williams would acquire WHP. It was kind of obvious that he would acquire WMMP because of ties to his home state of South Carolina. I guess that money talks. And its Mumblow who get most of the station's licenses. But I'm a little shocked that Williams didn't get WHP. But since both have dealings with the big man in Maryland, you don't always get what you want. There might be a chance for Williams to get a Harrisburg station, should Sinclair hold that option to acquire WLYH outright. And looking at that price that Williams is paying for WMMP, that's kind of low than WHP which was a tad bit high. I would've thought it would've cost more for the Birmingham duo, but not at the same price rate as WHP as a single station. I can't say I didn't see this coming in Birmingham. I knew Cunningham will continue to own WDBB, and I knew Deerfield was going to get the Birmingham. Now the ultimate question is, will this so called "Birmingham Sextopoly" (WBMA/WCFT/WJSU/WTTO/WDBB/WABM) could be unified under one building? I see them easily have an ABC 33/40 produced 9pm newscast on the CW to complete with top-rated WBRC 6.

 

But with all of that being said, this doesn't excuse the fact that with all these other station group companies out there, it had to be Sinclair to get WJLA and the rest of the Allbritton cluster. Like I stated, it should've been made piecemeal and it was ABC's to beat. We probably would never know if ABC made a bid or not. Sinclair already swallowed Fisher, back on Thursday (the consummation notices wasn't posted this morning, but those should be forthcoming). And they probably had no other alternative but to give WSYT to an outsider like Brady. I'm pondering if Sinclair would still use Cunningham or Deerfield to acquire WTVH, before Nexstar throws some Mission, if they do pursue to get a good chunk of Granite. Either way on that Syracuse situation, they really want the FCC to hurry up and grant those Barrington related applications, because we're reaching towards that fifth month mark. When all these apps get granted and close (Cunningham's Transfer to Anderson proper, Barrington, Titan, Allbritton), there best bet to come up with a long term strategic plan on an array of things (the purchase of sets/equipment, workflows, the works). They really need to do heavy work for damn near all of the Barrington stations. Only one station is in HD with a single-number stations are enhanced-definition widescreen. First they have to pick which stations will be under this new Chesapeake Television subsidiary. I'll say anything below the Dayton market would probably be where they should shove the rest of the stations to the new Chesapeake subsidiary.

 

Allbritton/Fisher folks, I hope y'all make those resume in case there's that roaring thunder that might be looming in DC & in Seattle. Prayers go to all of you in those affected areas.

 

BTW, Thanks broadcastfan9571 for beating me to it again. I saw your posting a couple of hours ago.

____________________________

 

Unrelated to this. We have a new M&A related to Sinclair.

 

It appears Peak Media's WWCP is being sold to Cunningham Broadcasting from Peak Media of Pennsylvania for $12M.

 

That new M&A puts Sinclair over the 150 mark...

 

I heard Sinclair has about $2B left for acquisitions in their budget in an earlier report. That was probably their offer on Local TV LLC - around or just over $2 billion (which they mercifully lost). But who out there is either being lured by them or up for sale? Who knows. Missing out on that deal probably put a serious dent in their strategy, as it denied them a potential duopoly in Huntsville with the likely Grant acquisition forthcoming - enough to kill that deal altogether? It also ended the potential for duopolies in St. Louis, Des Moines, Salt Lake City, Richmond and Hampton Roads. It also resulted in a triopoly denied in Greensboro and a quadropoly denied in Oklahoma City

 

Luckily, Birmingham has three other owners (Raycom, LIN, Media General) who are not likely in a selling position at this time, so to make it a "septopoly" or more is difficult to impossible. Raycom and Media General are the owners left in Charleston, while Hearst and Tribune are the owners left in the Susquehanna Valley so there is no more low-hanging fruit for Sinclair in those markets to go even further.

[CircleSeven 1955]

 

That new M&A puts Sinclair over the 150 mark...

 

I heard Sinclair has about $2B left for acquisitions in their budget in an earlier report. That was probably their offer on Local TV LLC - around or just over $2 billion (which they mercifully lost). But who out there is either being lured by them or up for sale? Who knows. Missing out on that deal probably put a serious dent in their strategy, as it denied them a potential duopoly in Huntsville with the likely Grant acquisition forthcoming - enough to kill that deal altogether? It also ended the potential for duopolies in St. Louis, Des Moines, Salt Lake City, Richmond and Hampton Roads. It also resulted in a triopoly denied in Greensboro and a quadropoly denied in Oklahoma City

 

Luckily, Birmingham has three other owners (Raycom, LIN, Media General) who are not likely in a selling position at this time, so to make it a "septopoly" or more is difficult to impossible. Raycom and Media General are the owners left in Charleston, while Hearst and Tribune are the owners left in the Susquehanna Valley so there is no more low-hanging fruit for Sinclair in those markets to go even further.

 

It probably would've been worst in Greensboro, if Lockwood didn't acquire WCWG. That would've been quadopoly bate (WGHP/WXLV/WCWG/WMYV). Also it would've been triopoly bate in the Quads (WQAD - Local TV & KLJB/KGCW to Grant) and in the Hampton Roads (they already own WTVZ). The only thing that would truly benefit if they acquire all of Milt Grant's is the flagship station WFXR/WWCW, and they would have to assign that to either Cunningham or Deerfield to link that with WSET.

 

Yeah this was Sinclair's second attempt in winning a duopoly in Virginia's capital city and with the same station. If you remember in 2009 when Raycom bought WWBT from Lincoln Financial and had to sell WTVR, Raycom swap it for Local TV's WBRC, but before Sinclair wanted to buy it and reassigned WRLH to a newly formed shell called Carma Broadcasting, and the DOJ went out and issued a consent decree to Raycom to not sell its station to Sinclair. I can't believe it's almost five years ago, since that happened. It's sad that the DOJ have been very quiet with all these latest M&As these last two years!!!!

 

And what would've happened if they would had to form a virtual duopoly with KUTV & KSTU?? People in Utah would've been protesting if they would think about consolidating. OKC would've easily be a carbon copy of Mobile situation, but it would've been more like Nexstar's Little Rock quadopoly situation, because they still have yet to have KOKH to have HD news.

 

If that Dumbo David would be wise, at least, he would that $2B he has left in for more M&As and that probably won't be enough to buy new equipment for the newly-acquired stations. The Barrington & Titan stations REALLY need it.

[Mrtraveler01 738]

 

I heard Sinclair has about $2B left for acquisitions in their budget in an earlier report. That was probably their offer on Local TV LLC - around or just over $2 billion (which they mercifully lost). But who out there is either being lured by them or up for sale? Who knows. Missing out on that deal probably put a serious dent in their strategy, as it denied them a potential duopoly in Huntsville with the likely Grant acquisition forthcoming - enough to kill that deal altogether? It also ended the potential for duopolies in St. Louis, Des Moines, Salt Lake City, Richmond and Hampton Roads. It also resulted in a triopoly denied in Greensboro and a quadropoly denied in Oklahoma City

 

 

It wouldn't shock me. I think they were assuming they'd get the Local TV stations as well. This quote struck me as interesting when they announced that they would stop broadcasting newscasts from KSDK.

 

Tom Tipton, KDNL's General Manager, said it's undetermined whether KDNL will offer local news after the end of the year. "We haven't decided," Tipton said. "We won't make a decision anytime soon, probably the third or fourth quarter."

 

http://www.stltoday.com/business/local/ksdk-to-stop-producing-newscasts-for-kdnl/article_1f7db579-5ba9-55c7-ab4e-1dc5c33771dc.html

Think they were betting on getting KTVI and moving their newscasts there. Now I'm not sure what they are going to do because I think the ABC affiliation contract requires them to carry some form of newscast. And even if not, Tribune will probably go after the affiliation and have the KTVI/KPLR partnership as an advantage over KDNL. Either way, KDNL is probably under a lot of pressure now to carry some form of newscast on KDNL before the contract is up for renewal.

 

But I am so glad Tribune bought KTVI. One Sinclair station in this market is bad enough.

[DirtyHarry 727]

 

Think they were betting on getting KTVI and moving their newscasts there. Now I'm not sure what they are going to do because I think the ABC affiliation contract requires them to carry some form of newscast. And even if not, Tribune will probably go after the affiliation and have the KTVI/KPLR partnership as an advantage over KDNL. Either way, KDNL is probably under a lot of pressure now to carry some form of newscast on KDNL before the contract is up for renewal.

 

But I am so glad Tribune bought KTVI. One Sinclair station in this market is bad enough.

 

Doubtful that ABC is going to want to urinate off one of it's largest affiliate owners, especially to run to Tribune which has no history with ABC. Much like how Scripps was able to get ABC affiliations for UHF stations in Phoenix and Tampa by throwing stronger stations into the mix, Sinclair will be able to have the same kind of leverage when negotiating with ABC.

 

Sinclair ABC markets:

 

Asheville

Champaign

Charleston, WV

Columbus

Dayton

Chattanooga

Greensboro

Pensacola

Rochester

St. Louis

Harrisburg

Washington, DC

Birmingham

Charleston, SC

Seattle

Portland

Little Rock

Tulsa

Roanoke

 

I know you guys hate Sinclair, but ABC will swallow a St. Louis to keep the owner of Seattle, Columbus, Washington, Portland, Birmingham, etc. happy. Remember, CBS had to swallow Detroit, Phoenix, Atlanta and Milwaukee. ABC swallows in Tampa and Phoenix. NBC has to swallow in numerous other places like Kansas City, Toledo and in Dayton (for a time). It's all good.