WCIV Sold to HSH

[montydavis 7]

http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/79318/station-trading-roundup-1-deal-50000

 

WCIV Charleston, S.C. — PRICE: $50,000 BUYER: Howard Stirk Holdings LLC (Armstrong Williams, manager) SELLER: Sinclair Broadcast Group (David Smith, president/CEO) FACILITIES: DTV Ch. 34, 630.000 kW, ant. 1,713 ft. AFFILIATION: ABC COMMENT: Howard Stirk Holdings LLC is purchasing from Sinclair Broadcast Group the FCC License, Transmission Assets, Antenna/Tower Lease Agreement and the public inspection file and any technical information and engineering data relating to the Transmission Assets in STG's possession of WCIV-TV/Charleston, SC for $50K. HSH acknowledges that it is not buying the business of WCIV as a going concern. STG shall retain the right to the call letters "WCIV", certain FCC licenses, all programming, agreements with programmers, agreements with advertisers, employees, studio equipment, and studios and other offices used in the operation of WCIV.

 

 

Okay?

[bobvick 9]

I wonder if they will do the same type of thing with the license and transmitters of WCFT and WJSU? I don't know if Sinclair would sell or the FCC would approve, but I bet the University of Alabama would love to get their hands on them rather than the VHF 6 transmitter that they have on Red Mountain. Could probably cover metro Birmingham with a LP station and use the other two licenses as translators. Of course, I doubt Sinclair would want to sell to them.

[Breaking News 829]

So where back to shell companies and sidecars with Sinclair again. SMH

[montydavis 7]

My guess is that eventually they will move the MNT affiliation there.

[rkolsen 1684]

http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/79318/station-trading-roundup-1-deal-50000

 

WCIV Charleston, S.C. — PRICE: $50,000 BUYER: Howard Stirk Holdings LLC (Armstrong Williams, manager) SELLER: Sinclair Broadcast Group (David Smith, president/CEO) FACILITIES: DTV Ch. 34, 630.000 kW, ant. 1,713 ft. AFFILIATION: ABC COMMENT: Howard Stirk Holdings LLC is purchasing from Sinclair Broadcast Group the FCC License, Transmission Assets, Antenna/Tower Lease Agreement and the public inspection file and any technical information and engineering data relating to the Transmission Assets in STG's possession of WCIV-TV/Charleston, SC for $50K. HSH acknowledges that it is not buying the business of WCIV as a going concern. STG shall retain the right to the call letters "WCIV", certain FCC licenses, all programming, agreements with programmers, agreements with advertisers, employees, studio equipment, and studios and other offices used in the operation of WCIV.

 

 

Okay?

I'm a bit confused as well, I know intellectual property (basically the affiliation, programming and archives) don't necessarily change hands especially when you do a side car agreement. But how does Sinclair retain the WCIV call letters? I thought they would be tied to the FCC license and transmission assets.

[lugnuts6 91]

Its confusing ..so let me see if I get this right ..Sinclair sells the FCC license of WCIV TV to Howard Stirk Holdings for what , early shutdown and move of ABC programming and news to the my tv station there ???

[Rusty Muck 4378]

HSH acknowledges that it is not buying the business of WCIV as a going concern. STG shall retain the right to the call letters "WCIV", certain FCC licenses, all programming, agreements with programmers, agreements with advertisers, employees, studio equipment, and studios and other offices used in the operation of WCIV.

 

Okay?

Basically S!nclair is keeping WCIV's intellectual programming and moving it - and the WCIV calls - to the current WMMP facility. WCIV's current broadcast license is the only thing being sold to Howard Stirk, as it's obvious he will be selling it to a minority group.

 

Because of Stirk being a S!nclair shell, the swapping of call letters between the WMMP and WCIV facilities will be seamless as well.

Its confusing ..so let me see if I get this right ..Sinclair sells the FCC license of WCIV TV to Howard Stirk Holdings for what , early shutdown and move of ABC programming and news to the my tv station there ???

 

The plans to shutdown the current WCIV license haven't changed, and they really can't at this juncture.

 

Only the current license for WCIV won't be handed over to the FCC after all... S!nclair sold to Stirk what amounts to a $50K piece of paper. And that's it.

[TVIntheDesert 183]

 

Basically S!nclair is keeping WCIV's intellectual programming and moving it - and the WCIV calls - to the current WMMP facility. WCIV's current broadcast license is the only thing being sold to Howard Stirk, as it's obvious he will be selling it to a minority group.

 

Because of Stirk being a S!nclair shell, the swapping of call letters between the WMMP and WCIV facilities will be seamless as well.

The plans to shutdown the current WCIV license haven't changed, and they really can't at this juncture.

 

Only the current license for WCIV won't be handed over to the FCC after all... S!nclair sold to Stirk what amounts to a $50K piece of paper. And that's it.

 

 

The HSH license will need to be operational within a year of its "ABC shutdown" to keep the license intact. My guess is that Armstrong Williams, at the behest of his FCC counsel, will run TBN religious programming (HSH's FCC lawyer is the same as TBN's).

[Thundershock MN 169]

First, this has yet to be approved by the FCC. So, the thread title is kind of misleading at this juncture.

 

 

I wonder if they will do the same type of thing with the license and transmitters of WCFT and WJSU?

 

If they were going to the same thing with WCFT and/or WJSU we likely would have seen an application by now or at least concurrently with WCIV's. Given we haven't ad the surrender date (September 29th) is rapidly approaching I don't see that happening.

 

 

I'm a bit confused as well, I know intellectual property (basically the affiliation, programming and archives) don't necessarily change hands especially when you do a side car agreement. But how does Sinclair retain the WCIV call letters? I thought they would be tied to the FCC license and transmission assets.

 

Retain the rights to the call letters. Meaning if SBG wants to move them to one of their licensed facilities...say I don't know the current WMMP...then HSH would allow the calls to be transferred to the applicable SBG facility.

 

 

Basically S!nclair is keeping WCIV's intellectual programming and moving it - and the WCIV calls - to the current WMMP facility. WCIV's current broadcast license is the only thing being sold to Howard Stirk, as it's obvious he will be selling it to a minority group.

 

Because of Stirk being a S!nclair shell, the swapping of call letters between the WMMP and WCIV facilities will be seamless as well.

The plans to shutdown the current WCIV license haven't changed, and they really can't at this juncture.

 

Only the current license for WCIV won't be handed over to the FCC after all... S!nclair sold to Stirk what amounts to a $50K piece of paper. And that's it.

 

^This pretty much sums it up.

 

 

 

However, a few other important things to note from the application.

1. "While HSH maintains shared services agreements with STG in its operation of WWMB and WEYI, no such sharing or similar agreements are proposed here in connection with the proposed assignment of WCIV. HSH Charleston will independently staff and program WCIV."

 

2."The parties have acknowledged in the Purchase Agreement that they will use their reasonable efforts to extend the Surrender Date, but the Purchase Agreement provides that it may be terminated by either party if the closing does not occur by the Surrender Date. Given the requirement for a thirty day public notice period prior to Commission action on assignment applications, it is not possible for the Commission to grant this application prior to the September 29, 2014 Surrender Date. Accordingly, HSH Charleston and STG respectfully request that the Commission issue an Order deferring the date upon which STG must surrender the license for the Station so as to permit consideration of this application. If the Commission does not timely indicate its consent to deferral of the Surrender Date pending action on the instant application, STG will be required to surrender the licenses for the Station on or before the Surrender Date as set forth in the Order. In order to permit a thoughtful review of the public interest benefits of this application, therefore, the parties urgently request that the Commission give its consent to the deferral of the Surrender Date until the earlier of ten (10) business days after the Commission has finally acted on this application or the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this application."

[Rusty Muck 4378]

The HSH license will need to be operational within a year of its "ABC shutdown" to keep the license intact. My guess is that Armstrong Williams, at the behest of his FCC counsel, will run TBN religious programming (HSH's FCC lawyer is the same as TBN's).

For TBN, it would be an upgrade over their current Charleston outlet, WBSE-LD/20.

[DirtyHarry 727]

 

http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/79318/station-trading-roundup-1-deal-50000

 

WCIV Charleston, S.C. — PRICE: $50,000 BUYER: Howard Stirk Holdings LLC (Armstrong Williams, manager) SELLER: Sinclair Broadcast Group (David Smith, president/CEO) FACILITIES: DTV Ch. 34, 630.000 kW, ant. 1,713 ft. AFFILIATION: ABC COMMENT: Howard Stirk Holdings LLC is purchasing from Sinclair Broadcast Group the FCC License, Transmission Assets, Antenna/Tower Lease Agreement and the public inspection file and any technical information and engineering data relating to the Transmission Assets in STG's possession of WCIV-TV/Charleston, SC for $50K. HSH acknowledges that it is not buying the business of WCIV as a going concern. STG shall retain the right to the call letters "WCIV", certain FCC licenses, all programming, agreements with programmers, agreements with advertisers, employees, studio equipment, and studios and other offices used in the operation of WCIV.

 

 

Okay?

 

I knew they were going to keep the WCIV call letters and the ABC-4 branding. I can't believe the FCC doesn't allow virtual channel number swaps ... not yet, anyway.

 

 

 

 

 

If they were going to the same thing with WCFT and/or WJSU we likely would have seen an application by now or at least concurrently with WCIV's. Given we haven't ad the surrender date (September 29th) is rapidly approaching I don't see that happening.

 

 

 

I'm a bit rusty on this, so take it for what it's worth: But I believe if you sell an asset to the government, you have four years to do a like-kind exchange to escape capital gains taxes. I don't know if that's an issue here since the station will sell for far less than they bought it, but if its

 

 

 

I'm a bit confused as well, I know intellectual property (basically the affiliation, programming and archives) don't necessarily change hands especially when you do a side car agreement. But how does Sinclair retain the WCIV call letters? I thought they would be tied to the FCC license and transmission assets.

 

 

 

Easy. They probably have to file for new call lettters as a condition of the transfer and Sinclair changes the call letters on their station to WCIV. I wouldn't doubt if it happens after the transition period and before the station is transferred to Armstrong Williams.

[montydavis 7]

Spoke with someone at station. WCIV will be transferred to new frequency and viewers will see vc numbers 4.1 and 4.2. Sale of rf 34 is expected to retain same amount of voices in market. Viewers will see very little to no interruption of service. HSH will provide their own programming for new station.

[montydavis 7]

Howard Stirk Holdings, run by Armstrong Williams, has agreed to acquire WCIV Charleston for $50,000. Sinclair picked up WCIV, an ABC affiliate, when it acquired Allbritton. While Howard Stirk is acquiring the license, among other assets, it and Sinclair will share some aspects related to the station, and Sinclair will provide services.

“We’ll continue some of the wonderful business relationships we have with them,” said Armstrong Williams, principal at Howard Stirk Holdings.

The deal is subject to FCC approval.

Williams says the station was to go dark. WCIV will run some town hall meetings and documentaries produced at sister WWMB Myrtle Beach, he added.

Howard Stirk Holdings also owns WEYI Flint.

[montydavis 7]

Simply put, WCIV will remain on the air as owned by HSH, but operated by Sinclair. Look at WEYI in Flint for example.

[NEOMatrix 1299]

So in other words, WCIV's intellectuals won't move to WMMP and will stay with HSH even though Tom Wheeler's "NO JSA rule" is in effect? What...the...eff?!?

[DirtyHarry 727]

 

Simply put, WCIV will remain on the air as owned by HSH, but operated by Sinclair. Look at WEYI in Flint for example.

 

 

 

So in other words, WCIV's intellectuals won't move to WMMP and will stay with HSH even though Tom Wheeler's "NO JSA rule" is in effect? What...the...eff?!?

 

Back to the same confusion again? WCIV will remain in the same building and deliver the same programming and use the same branding. However, they are going to broadcast on WMMP's channel and not on their current assigned channel. WMMP looks like it will change call letters to WCIV.

[Thundershock MN 169]

 

Howard Stirk Holdings, run by Armstrong Williams, has agreed to acquire WCIV Charleston for $50,000. Sinclair picked up WCIV, an ABC affiliate, when it acquired Allbritton. While Howard Stirk is acquiring the license, among other assets, it and Sinclair will share some aspects related to the station, and Sinclair will provide services.

“We’ll continue some of the wonderful business relationships we have with them,” said Armstrong Williams, principal at Howard Stirk Holdings.

The deal is subject to FCC approval.

Williams says the station was to go dark. WCIV will run some town hall meetings and documentaries produced at sister WWMB Myrtle Beach, he added.

Howard Stirk Holdings also owns WEYI Flint.

 

 

Simply put, WCIV will remain on the air as owned by HSH, but operated by Sinclair. Look at WEYI in Flint for example.

 

What is the source for this info? It runs contrary to the description of the transaction submitted with the application.

 

"While HSH maintains shared services agreements with STG in its operation of WWMB and WEYI, no such sharing or similar agreements are proposed here in connection with the proposed assignment of WCIV. HSH Charleston will independently staff and program WCIV."

 

Best I can see the closest they come to sharing is a lease/rental agreement between HSH and Sinclair to allow some use of Sinclair's studio for HSH's planned local productions.

[montydavis 7]

What is the source for this info? It runs contrary to the description of the transaction submitted with the application.

 

"While HSH maintains shared services agreements with STG in its operation of WWMB and WEYI, no such sharing or similar agreements are proposed here in connection with the proposed assignment of WCIV. HSH Charleston will independently staff and program WCIV."

 

Best I can see the closest they come to sharing is a lease/rental agreement between HSH and Sinclair to allow some use of Sinclair's studio for HSH's planned local productions.

Sounds logical. Only time will tell. ABC 33/40 in Alabama is already broadcasting on WABM 68.2 and promoting about it.

[Thundershock MN 169]

@montydavis, I was trying to figure out the source of your post as it looked like a C&P of an article. Anyway, it looks like a B&C article is the source. I thought for sure it was newsblues or some blogger.

 

This isn't not directed at you. But, why do reporters make crap up instead of doing the research? Based on the application submitted to the FCC that article is flat out wrong or at best very misleading. It's really not that hard to open up a PDF and read through the details before reporting on it.

[montydavis 7]

Agreed. I found it confusing; especially after speaking with someone at the station that stated the opposite (being that the frequency that WCIV is on will be occupied by programming other than ABC and ABC News 4).

[montydavis 7]

Today, WCIV started broadcasting on 36.2 (ABC News 4) and 36.3 (MeTV). According to the 6pm news, WMMP will change to WCIV. The HSH sell will create a new station to be housed in WMMP's current location in North Charleston (along with WTAT, Fox affilliate) which is owned by Cunningham Broadcasting. Don't know if the "new" station will be affiliated with any network.

[hathawaynson2 39]

What about the termination of the SSA for WTAT? all I know is that it will be terminated after the Allbritton/Sinclair sale.

[Guest NewsHound]

All I know is, I watched the WCIV 11pm live stream last night and I can see why they are last place. Their team has no on-air chemistry at all. Dean Stephens should have never been made a lead anchor, I don't know why he's been on this long. He's been with the station for 20+ years yet he still has that harsh sports director voice that he speaks with for every news story. His co-anchor Victoria Hansen looks about as interested to be there as if she was waiting to get a root canal, her eyes had this sheepish look to them and she was either looking above or to the side of the camera a few times but not directly into it. She's like Charleston's version of Dari Alexander.

 

As far as weather goes, their longtime Chief Meteorologist decided to step back awhile back and moved to mornings and got demoted. The new guy is too technical. His weather cast was painful to get through, and only made me want Tom Crawford (their old guy) to pop out from behind the camera and turn on the charm.

 

Then, it was sports, and the guy they had doing sports tonight, I don't know if he's just the weekend guy or if he's the regular weeknight guy, but it was all I can do to sit through his never ending ramblings. Sports you're supposed to get highlights and scores in a fast paced format, this guy dragged on and on and on and on. He even covered the score of a distant college football game that nobody in the market would care to know about. When he was done, Dean Stephens and the sports guy made a little small talk and a clearly uncomfortable Victoria Hansen looking up said we'll be right back.

 

They came back and had enough time for the weather guy to nearly beg us to trust him that better weather was on the way. Then you get an off-putting comment from Victoria almost threatening in tone saying "I sure hope so." Then as the four clearly uncomfortable people at the cramped dated desk sat there for like 3 seconds saying nothing you have an almost forced "goodnight" and "see you tomorrow" from Dean and Victoria.

 

The Good: Allbritton did put some money into the station at some point, because their set is definitely updated from the last time I saw it a few years ago (though it still has that dark cramped 90s feel to it, complete with dark wood, the splotchy blue walls and unlit duratrans. The graphics are probably the best thing the station has, though it was an Allbritton mandate, they blow the competition's standardized graphics at WCSC (Raycom) and WCBD (Media General) out of the water. I also like their Circle 4 logo, though I've always disliked their ABC News 4 brand.

 

Cons: Poor on-air chemistry and lack of experienced talent. Set while it is refreshed, it's dark, dated, and small. Forced small talk is hard for these people. They have no personal connection with the viewer, like their competition tries to have so they talk at them and not to them. Stale format and slow-paced, and transitions between stories suck. Bottom line, let's hope Sincrap takes a good long hard look at this team they want to salvage and cleans house. Bring in a new GM and a new ND and some fresh blood, put Stevens back on the sports desk where he belongs, take Dari Hansen and put her in the field, bring back Tom Crawford to evenings, bring in a locally known face like Warren Peper or someone with substance that is no longer in TV news. Poach from other stations if you have to. This dry distant 3rd place finisher will continue to sit there in distant 3rd place unless content and talent changes are made. Enough said.

 

Overall stars: 2 out of 5

I give these people only one thumb up for the graphics alone, the rest of it thumbs down.

[montydavis 7]

 

All I know is, I watched the WCIV 11pm live stream last night and I can see why they are last place. Their team has no on-air chemistry at all. Dean Stephens should have never been made a lead anchor, I don't know why he's been on this long. He's been with the station for 20+ years yet he still has that harsh sports director voice that he speaks with for every news story. His co-anchor Victoria Hansen looks about as interested to be there as if she was waiting to get a root canal, her eyes had this sheepish look to them and she was either looking above or to the side of the camera a few times but not directly into it. She's like Charleston's version of Dari Alexander.

 

As far as weather goes, their longtime Chief Meteorologist decided to step back awhile back and moved to mornings and got demoted. The new guy is too technical. His weather cast was painful to get through, and only made me want Tom Crawford (their old guy) to pop out from behind the camera and turn on the charm.

 

Then, it was sports, and the guy they had doing sports tonight, I don't know if he's just the weekend guy or if he's the regular weeknight guy, but it was all I can do to sit through his never ending ramblings. Sports you're supposed to get highlights and scores in a fast paced format, this guy dragged on and on and on and on. He even covered the score of a distant college football game that nobody in the market would care to know about. When he was done, Dean Stephens and the sports guy made a little small talk and a clearly uncomfortable Victoria Hansen looking up said we'll be right back.

 

They came back and had enough time for the weather guy to nearly beg us to trust him that better weather was on the way. Then you get an off-putting comment from Victoria almost threatening in tone saying "I sure hope so." Then as the four clearly uncomfortable people at the cramped dated desk sat there for like 3 seconds saying nothing you have an almost forced "goodnight" and "see you tomorrow" from Dean and Victoria.

 

The Good: Allbritton did put some money into the station at some point, because their set is definitely updated from the last time I saw it a few years ago (though it still has that dark cramped 90s feel to it, complete with dark wood, the splotchy blue walls and unlit duratrans. The graphics are probably the best thing the station has, though it was an Allbritton mandate, they blow the competition's standardized graphics at WCSC (Raycom) and WCBD (Media General) out of the water. I also like their Circle 4 logo, though I've always disliked their ABC News 4 brand.

 

Cons: Poor on-air chemistry and lack of experienced talent. Set while it is refreshed, it's dark, dated, and small. Forced small talk is hard for these people. They have no personal connection with the viewer, like their competition tries to have so they talk at them and not to them. Stale format and slow-paced, and transitions between stories suck. Bottom line, let's hope Sincrap takes a good long hard look at this team they want to salvage and cleans house. Bring in a new GM and a new ND and some fresh blood, put Stevens back on the sports desk where he belongs, take Dari Hansen and put her in the field, bring back Tom Crawford to evenings, bring in a locally known face like Warren Peper or someone with substance that is no longer in TV news. Poach from other stations if you have to. This dry distant 3rd place finisher will continue to sit there in distant 3rd place unless content and talent changes are made. Enough said.

 

Overall stars: 2 out of 5

I give these people only one thumb up for the graphics alone, the rest of it thumbs down.

 

You seem to know alot about the Charleston on-air personalities to say you don't live in the market. Or do you? Besides, I agree with you on some of the mentioned observations, however I definitely have to differ with you on the graphics. The Allbritton graphics are horrible! Though 5 and 2 have the mandated packages from their corporate owners, the ones that 4 uses are definitely a step down from what they had several years ago when they introduced the current set they have.

[sanewsguy 511]

Regarding the Allbritton gfx, apparently WCIV and WSET now use the ABC promo font which makes these already bad graphics even worse.