Sinclair...Again

[Rusty Muck 4426]

I don't think it has anything to do with owning the newspaper. I don't think they are allowed by the NBC contract to bring any other NBC stations in. When you are an NBC affiliate (all networks actually), aren't you only allowed to cover your DMA unless you are serving an un-served market (like when stations are feed to Canada). For example, Toledo has both WDIV and WNWO on Buckeye cable but only WNWO is (was) allowed to show NBC programming on cable. WDIV's channel was blacked out during primetime. It is still in fact blacked out during primetime even though WNWO is not on cable.

I could have sworn that some cable system - TWC, perhaps? - resorted to piping in affiliates from outside services areas embroiled in a rather nasty retrans dispute. It only lasted for a day or two.

[Mrtraveler01 739]

 

I could have sworn that some cable system - TWC, perhaps? - resorted to piping in affiliates from outside services areas embroiled in a rather nasty retrans dispute. It only lasted for a day or two.

 

Back in 2012 when Hearst and TWC/Bright House had their retransmission dispute, TWC/Bright House just pipped in WBRE and WROC in markets that were impacted by this dispute (including Orlando, Greensboro, and Louisville). Nexstar wasn't too thrilled with the setup and ordered TWC/Bright House to pull the feeds. Regardless, the feeds stayed up until Hearst and TWC/Bright House were able to come to an agreement

[tvjay 6]

 

Back in 2012 when Hearst and TWC/Bright House had their retransmission dispute, TWC/Bright House just pipped in WBRE and WROC in markets that were impacted by this dispute (including Orlando, Greensboro, and Louisville). Nexstar wasn't too thrilled with the setup and ordered TWC/Bright House to pull the feeds. Regardless, the feeds stayed up until Hearst and TWC/Bright House were able to come to an agreement

 

I did not know that but that is interesting. I would imagine that Buckeye would of done that if they could.

[Rusty Muck 4426]

I did not know that but that is interesting. I would imagine that Buckeye would of done that if they could.

Seems like they want to exhaust every possible option with S!nclair first. But given S!nclair's bull-headedness and refusal to hear any offer, it wouldn't be a shock if Buckeye resorted to piping in another affiliate.

 

Of course S!nclair would be ticked off because that piped in affiliate would crush WNWO in the ratings.

[NewsMaster 226]

KBOI aired an ad that contained a message about how they are in favor of small government. These ads have since been pulled.

 

http://www.boiseweekly.com/boise/kboi-tv-pulls-controversial-news-promos/Content?oid=3069017

[Mrtraveler01 739]

 

KBOI aired an ad that contained a message about how they are in favor of small government. These ads have since been pulled.

 

http://www.boiseweekly.com/boise/kboi-tv-pulls-controversial-news-promos/Content?oid=3069017

 

No wonder KTVB dominates in that market. Even if it's in a very conservative place like Idaho, it's still a little awkward seeing ads like that.

 

It's funny that even Sinclair thought these ads were a little too much. That should say something.

[bammy9 26]

KFOX (and I think all the Sinclair stations in Texas) are airing a "Town Hall" thing tonight. The topic. Marijuana Legalization. The host station.. WOAI. Their using the hashtag #YourVoiceYourFuture

[sanewsguy 514]

 

KFOX (and I think all the Sinclair stations in Texas) are airing a "Town Hall" thing tonight. The topic. Marijuana Legalization. The host station.. WOAI. Their using the hashtag #YourVoiceYourFuture

 

yeah, I mentioned it in the shoutbox last night. Didn't know all of Sinclair's Texas stations were running it though (or streaming it online). And since John Seabers, WOAIKABB GM, is the Group Manager for all of Sinclair Texas it makes sense.

[Mrtraveler01 739]

 

KFOX (and I think all the Sinclair stations in Texas) are airing a "Town Hall" thing tonight. The topic. Marijuana Legalization. The host station.. WOAI. Their using the hashtag #YourVoiceYourFuture

 

It's now available online for people who are interested: http://www.news4sanantonio.com/news/features/top-stories/stories/watch-marijuana-legalization-town-hall-9212.shtml

 

Yes, Mark Hyman is still the moderator of these.

[sanewsguy 514]

WOAI did a great job as always with the town hall and I actually like the fact Sinclair is doing these. I just wish they would have somebody local moderate instead of Mark Hyman.

[Mrtraveler01 739]

 

WOAI did a great job as always with the town hall and I actually like the fact Sinclair is doing these. I just wish they would have somebody local moderate instead of Mark Hyman.

 

Yeah, I can't figure out why Sinclair wants Mark Hyman to moderate these. I don't think he's even that good at it.

[rkolsen 1693]

Was driving by their headquarters in Cockeysville (They call it Hunt Valley but it's in Cockeyvilles zip code but that's another story) and I noticed two business entities listed on their signage two of which I don't know how they are connected one of which is the Freven Foundation and the other is Nex Gen Foundation. Does anyone know how they are connected to Sinclair?

 

The only other business listed is Allegiance Capital which is their venture capital firm. The building is owned by Beaver Dam LLC and has no property managed by logo beneath the sign which is common in commercial business parks that are available for rent which then makes me think it's owned by SBGI.

[Samantha 2905]

Allbritton update:

 

Sinclair has sent a letter to the FCC proposing to modify the structure of the Allbritton acquisition. It is thus one of the first broadcasters to modify the structure of its JSA-including M&A so as to conform to some of the restrictions that are coming down the pike.

 

"...[T]he stations currently owned by Sinclair, and which are proposed to be assigned to a Deerfield party or Howard Stirk Holdings, with proposed sharing agreements, would instead be placed on the market and sold to a third party entity or entities without any accompanying JSA or other long term sharing agreement or a contingent financial interest. Sinclair would not provide any services related to retransmission consent negotiations to such entity or entities."

 

Upon consummation, Sinclair also proposes to put the Allbritton stations with a trustee for a short period if it needs to while it looks for buyers in the three markets.

 

Birmingham.

 

Sinclair proposes to sell WABM and its assets, along with the separate assets of WTTO. Sinclair would acquire WJSU/WCFT and retain WTTO, which would move to the WBMA facilities. The WTTO-WDBB LMA would be retained to continue a simulcast.

 

A buyer would have WABM and the WTTO assets (probably studios). Sinclair would keep WTTO (and the LMA with WDBB) but it would move in with 33/40.

 

Charleston.

 

Sinclair would sell WMMP and most of its assets. The Sinclair-Cunningham (WTAT) LMA would be terminated; Cunningham would acquire from Sinclair any assets related to WTAT, and Sinclair would terminate its option to acquire the assets of the station in return for a payment from Cunningham.

 

Cunningham has expressed its willingness to enter into an SSA, but not a JSA or other share, with the buyer for WMMP.

 

Harrisburg.

 

Sinclair would acquire the assets of WHTM and move WHP into the WHTM facilities. Meanwhile, a buyer would receive the WHTM license and the WHP assets. The parties would also agree to move the network and syndicated programs of WHP to WHTM and vice versa. Sinclair would own an ABC affiliate with WHP's license and facilities, and the buyer would own a CBS affiliate with WHTM's license and the LMA to WLYH. The stations also propose to switch places on all cable providers and to map each station's channel number to its historical position. (I'm not sure if this means ABC on channel 21 and CBS on channel 27, particularly with the digital era, though if the KGMB/KFVE switch is any indication it might just have to happen.) WHTM's current employees would stay with Sinclair, while WHP's current employees would go with the CBS affiliation. The wording of this is very dense and I am not sure if there may even be an impact on Central Pennsylvania viewers, aside from a facility swap between the two stations. (The WHP license would become WHTM and seek approval to map to 27, and it would be an ABC affiliate.)

 

It appears that the primary motive for Sinclair to keep the WHP transmission facility is that it is rather more powerful. The WHP contour, on RF channel 21, includes Reading and even State College, while WHTM's service area is smaller (WHTM is on VHF channel 10). Hagerstown, MD is on the outer edge of the WHP contour, as is the far northern Baltimore metro (including Hunt Valley and Sinclair's headquarters).

 

It should be noted that the Outside Date, the date by which this acquisition must close, is July 27, 2014.

[Mrtraveler01 739]

Allbritton update:

 

Sinclair has sent a letter to the FCC proposing to modify the structure of the Allbritton acquisition. It is thus one of the first broadcasters to modify the structure of its JSA-including M&A so as to conform to some of the restrictions that are coming down the pike.

 

"...[T]he stations currently owned by Sinclair, and which are proposed to be assigned to a Deerfield party or Howard Stirk Holdings, with proposed sharing agreements, would instead be placed on the market and sold to a third party entity or entities without any accompanying JSA or other long term sharing agreement or a contingent financial interest. Sinclair would not provide any services related to retransmission consent negotiations to such entity or entities."

 

Upon consummation, Sinclair also proposes to put the Allbritton stations with a trustee for a short period if it needs to while it looks for buyers in the three markets.

 

Birmingham.

 

Sinclair proposes to sell WABM and its assets, along with the separate assets of WTTO. Sinclair would acquire WJSU/WCFT and retain WTTO, which would move to the WBMA facilities. The WTTO-WDBB LMA would be retained to continue a simulcast.

 

A buyer would have WABM and the WTTO assets (probably studios). Sinclair would keep WTTO (and the LMA with WDBB) but it would move in with 33/40.

 

Charleston.

 

Sinclair would sell WMMP and most of its assets. The Sinclair-Cunningham (WTAT) LMA would be terminated; Cunningham would acquire from Sinclair any assets related to WTAT, and Sinclair would terminate its option to acquire the assets of the station in return for a payment from Cunningham.

 

Cunningham has expressed its willingness to enter into an SSA, but not a JSA or other share, with the buyer for WMMP.

 

Harrisburg.

 

Sinclair would acquire the assets of WHTM and move WHP into the WHTM facilities. Meanwhile, a buyer would receive the WHTM license and the WHP assets. The parties would also agree to move the network and syndicated programs of WHP to WHTM and vice versa. Sinclair would own an ABC affiliate with WHP's license and facilities, and the buyer would own a CBS affiliate with WHTM's license and the LMA to WLYH. The stations also propose to switch places on all cable providers and to map each station's channel number to its historical position. (I'm not sure if this means ABC on channel 21 and CBS on channel 27, particularly with the digital era, though if the KGMB/KFVE switch is any indication it might just have to happen.) WHTM's current employees would stay with Sinclair, while WHP's current employees would go with the CBS affiliation. The wording of this is very dense and I am not sure if there may even be an impact on Central Pennsylvania viewers, aside from a facility swap between the two stations. (The WHP license would become WHTM and seek approval to map to 27, and it would be an ABC affiliate.)

 

It appears that the primary motive for Sinclair to keep the WHP transmission facility is that it is rather more powerful. The WHP contour, on RF channel 21, includes Reading and even State College, while WHTM's service area is smaller (WHTM is on VHF channel 10). Hagerstown, MD is on the outer edge of the WHP contour, as is the far northern Baltimore metro (including Hunt Valley and Sinclair's headquarters).

 

It should be noted that the Outside Date, the date by which this acquisition must close, is July 27, 2014.

I'll be blunt. Sinclair's plans for Harrisburg sound so stupid and unnecessarily complicated. Why don't they just sell WHP or WHTM completely and just call it a day?

[Samantha 2905]

Because Sinclair wants the stronger transmitter (WHP) and the stronger station assets (WHTM).

[Mrtraveler01 739]

Because Sinclair wants the stronger transmitter (WHP) and the stronger station assets (WHTM).

Because God forbid Sinclair actually invest in WHP themselves. Something tells me it isn't going to fly with the FCC.

 

Making it this complicated is just going to draw out the approval process that much longer.

[Samantha 2905]

 

Because God forbid Sinclair actually invest in WHP themselves. Something tells me it isn't going today with the FCC.

 

Making it this complicated is just going to draw out the approval process that much longer.

 

It is noteworthy that Sinclair has decided to make itself adequate under the new provisions. This is definitely a victory for the petitioners, whose primary concerns were these sharing agreements.

 

It will have to be seen whether Meredith, Quincy or other broadcasters with pending, JSA-including M&A activity do the same.

[Mrtraveler01 739]

It is noteworthy that Sinclair has decided to make itself adequate under the new provisions. This is definitely a victory for the petitioners, whose primary concerns were these sharing agreements.

 

It will have to be seen whether Meredith, Quincy or other broadcasters with pending, JSA-including M&A activity do the same.

I agree. Just having the FCC talk about it caused this to happen.

 

Its definitely progress..

[T.L. Hughes 906]

Is it possible that the Harrisburg deal, which does sound a lot like what Raycom pulled with KFVE and KGMB, will have any negative effect on WHTM-TV or any positive effect on WHP-TV? Ratings-wise, WHTM's newscasts are second in the ratings in that market, whereas WHP is closer to the bottom. I'm not sure if this is the same with the total day.

 

Also, I belive the deal being proposed with WTAT would mark the first time that Cunningham would not collude with Sinclair in a station transaction, wouldn't it? In essence, it would turn Cunningham from just a sidecar, to a quasi-legitimate station owner and operator (although WTAT would be the only station it operated outright since the other existing Sinclair owned or operated stations in the transactions involving Cunningham and Deerfield would be paired with the Allbritton station or sold to someone else who would take over operations as well as license assets).

[DirtyHarry 745]

 

Allbritton update:

 

Sinclair has sent a letter to the FCC proposing to modify the structure of the Allbritton acquisition. It is thus one of the first broadcasters to modify the structure of its JSA-including M&A so as to conform to some of the restrictions that are coming down the pike.

 

"...[T]he stations currently owned by Sinclair, and which are proposed to be assigned to a Deerfield party or Howard Stirk Holdings, with proposed sharing agreements, would instead be placed on the market and sold to a third party entity or entities without any accompanying JSA or other long term sharing agreement or a contingent financial interest. Sinclair would not provide any services related to retransmission consent negotiations to such entity or entities."

 

Upon consummation, Sinclair also proposes to put the Allbritton stations with a trustee for a short period if it needs to while it looks for buyers in the three markets.

 

Birmingham.

 

Sinclair proposes to sell WABM and its assets, along with the separate assets of WTTO. Sinclair would acquire WJSU/WCFT and retain WTTO, which would move to the WBMA facilities. The WTTO-WDBB LMA would be retained to continue a simulcast.

 

A buyer would have WABM and the WTTO assets (probably studios). Sinclair would keep WTTO (and the LMA with WDBB) but it would move in with 33/40.

 

Charleston.

 

Sinclair would sell WMMP and most of its assets. The Sinclair-Cunningham (WTAT) LMA would be terminated; Cunningham would acquire from Sinclair any assets related to WTAT, and Sinclair would terminate its option to acquire the assets of the station in return for a payment from Cunningham.

 

Cunningham has expressed its willingness to enter into an SSA, but not a JSA or other share, with the buyer for WMMP.

 

Harrisburg.

 

Sinclair would acquire the assets of WHTM and move WHP into the WHTM facilities. Meanwhile, a buyer would receive the WHTM license and the WHP assets. The parties would also agree to move the network and syndicated programs of WHP to WHTM and vice versa. Sinclair would own an ABC affiliate with WHP's license and facilities, and the buyer would own a CBS affiliate with WHTM's license and the LMA to WLYH. The stations also propose to switch places on all cable providers and to map each station's channel number to its historical position. (I'm not sure if this means ABC on channel 21 and CBS on channel 27, particularly with the digital era, though if the KGMB/KFVE switch is any indication it might just have to happen.) WHTM's current employees would stay with Sinclair, while WHP's current employees would go with the CBS affiliation. The wording of this is very dense and I am not sure if there may even be an impact on Central Pennsylvania viewers, aside from a facility swap between the two stations. (The WHP license would become WHTM and seek approval to map to 27, and it would be an ABC affiliate.)

 

It appears that the primary motive for Sinclair to keep the WHP transmission facility is that it is rather more powerful. The WHP contour, on RF channel 21, includes Reading and even State College, while WHTM's service area is smaller (WHTM is on VHF channel 10). Hagerstown, MD is on the outer edge of the WHP contour, as is the far northern Baltimore metro (including Hunt Valley and Sinclair's headquarters).

 

It should be noted that the Outside Date, the date by which this acquisition must close, is July 27, 2014.

 

I'm surprised they're not keeping the WHP call letters. WHTM's building seems small, however WHP's building seems old and decrepit.

[DirtyHarry 745]

 

I'll be blunt. Sinclair's plans for Harrisburg sound so stupid and unnecessarily complicated. Why don't they just sell WHP or WHTM completely and just call it a day?

 

WHP has a great signal (UHF) but are number 3 in the ratings. WHTM has a crap signal (VHF 10) but are a solid Number 2 in the market, and maybe even Number 1 in Harrisburg.

[tvjay 6]

If Sinclair really wanted this deal to go threw they should of just said we will sell either the newly acquired stations or our current stations in those markets, NO QUESTIONS ASKED! None of this we will trade this for that and move this station.

[NewsMaster 226]

 

If Sinclair really wanted this deal to go threw they should of just said we will sell either the newly acquired stations or our current stations in those markets, NO QUESTIONS ASKED! None of this we will trade this for that and move this station.

 

Sorry for sounding angry, but once again, I am reminded why I hate this company so much. I hope this entire deal ends up in the trash at this point.

[TexasTVNews 1379]

Let's hope and pray the FCC denies Sinclair's request and acquisition of Albritton.

[Rusty Muck 4426]

If Sinclair really wanted this deal to go threw they should of just said we will sell either the newly acquired stations or our current stations in those markets, NO QUESTIONS ASKED! None of this we will trade this for that and move this station.

 

If JSAs do get outlawed or severely restricted, expect more of these transaction proposals (keeping the stronger intellectual units and more powerful transmitters) to take place. Especially if this WHP/WHTM proposal gets the green light.

 

That being said, S!nclair's divesture proposals in Birmingham and Charleston aren't deathly complicated.