Boston TV crisis: WHDH and WNEU

[NewEnglandOne 17]

I think this latest development signals that there's hope some kind of compromise can be reached. Ed wants more money, and wants WLVI to be included. NBC wants to pay less money, and doesn't want WLVI. While NBC is willing to start anew with WNEU, I'm sure they'd rather reach a compromise with Ed and Sunbeam. We actually see in this article that he is willing to sell for the right price, so that's a starting point (everyone kept saying no way in hell will he or his family sell).

 

If NBC and Sunbeam were to agree on a price for WHDH, it's doubtful that the purchase would be for anything other than the broadcast license/transmitter facilities.

 

NBC is already in the process of renovating and upgrading the NECN/WNEU facilities in Newton - the facilities at WHDH are older, and in need of a major renovation, so if they stayed there they'd have to invest a lot more money. In addition, the I'm told the building that WHDH is in is owned by Ansin... would NBC shell out all that additional cash to buy prime Boston real estate or sign a lease with Ansin?

 

NBC is also in the process of hiring anchors, reporters, and photogs... so if a sale were reached, it would result in NBC cleaning house at WHDH. The corporate environment, news philosophy, and style of NBC is significantly different than WHDH.

 

It all adds up to NBC holding all the cards - if Ansin doesn't sell to them, and doesn't see in the FCC incentive auction he's left with one or two independent stations in Boston worth a fraction of what they used to be.

[Breaking News 829]

CBS isn't going to give WBZ. Really, I don't know why CBS keeps getting brought up in this.

 

Because WBZ suck donkey balls under CBS, but was much better when it was an NBC affiliate.

 

I think this latest development signals that there's hope some kind of compromise can be reached. Ed wants more money, and wants WLVI to be included. NBC wants to pay less money, and doesn't want WLVI. While NBC is willing to start anew with WNEU, I'm sure they'd rather reach a compromise with Ed and Sunbeam. We actually see in this article that he is willing to sell for the right price, so that's a starting point (everyone kept saying no way in hell will he or his family sell).

 

Perhaps keep the same price NBC is willing to give, include WLVI, but also include WVIT on NBC's part in addition to the money. Either way, NBC can turn around and try to sell WLVI (perhaps to Cox to form a Fox/MyNet duopoly - WSBK would switch to CW). Worst case scenario, they're stuck running a CW (or MyNet) affiliated station.

 

I wonder if NBC's next target will be Houston. I'd be willing to guess that Graham is more likely to be a seller than buyer.

 

Would NBC's target also be in Atlanta as well. You think Tegna would want to sell WXIA? Which has been in the Gannett fold since 1979.

[TVNewsLover 782]

Would NBC's target also be in Atlanta as well. You think Tegna would want to sell WXIA? Which has been in the Gannett fold since 1979.

If NBC gets their O&O in Boston, TEGNA interestingly has the largest (by market size) non-network owned affiliates for the Big Three Networks: WUSA (CBS - Washington, DC), WXIA (NBC - Atlanta), and WFAA (ABC - Dallas).

 

FOX interestingly owns the FOX stations in 12 of the Top 13 markets (Boston is the sole non-owned).

[A3N 1002]

If NBC and Sunbeam were to agree on a price for WHDH, it's doubtful that the purchase would be for anything other than the broadcast license/transmitter facilities.

 

NBC is already in the process of renovating and upgrading the NECN/WNEU facilities in Newton - the facilities at WHDH are older, and in need of a major renovation, so if they stayed there they'd have to invest a lot more money. In addition, the I'm told the building that WHDH is in is owned by Ansin... would NBC shell out all that additional cash to buy prime Boston real estate or sign a lease with Ansin?

 

NBC is also in the process of hiring anchors, reporters, and photogs... so if a sale were reached, it would result in NBC cleaning house at WHDH. The corporate environment, news philosophy, and style of NBC is significantly different than WHDH.

 

It all adds up to NBC holding all the cards - if Ansin doesn't sell to them, and doesn't see in the FCC incentive auction he's left with one or two independent stations in Boston worth a fraction of what they used to be.

Eh, I don't think they would completely clean house--not right away at least. Yes, Comcast will force a change in that corporate philosophy that Ansin had in place, but i'm sure the employees are capable of making that change. This is not to say that they won't bring in some of their people, but keep in mind that when Comcast bought NBC, most stations stayed status quo- personnel wise. The changes that were made were at stations that were in the crapper under GE ownership and needed new life. The newscasts might get toned down under NBC, but that may not be a bad thing. Plus, with Valerie Staab in charge of the O&O's, they enjoy some leeway in how they run their operations-- unlike CBS or FOX.

 

Edit: Would NBC consider taking WLVI and flipping it to Telemundo and offer the CW [back] to CBS?

[Breaking News 829]

If NBC gets their O&O in Boston, TEGNA interestingly has the largest (by market size) non-network owned affiliates for the Big Three Networks: WUSA (CBS - Washington, DC), WXIA (NBC - Atlanta), and WFAA (ABC - Dallas).

 

FOX interestingly owns the FOX stations in 12 of the Top 13 markets (Boston is the sole non-owned).

 

If ABC/Disney had an interest could you see WFAA/Channel 8 apart of the Mickey Mouse club so to speak?

[mardek1995 200]

If ABC/Disney had an interest could you see WFAA/Channel 8 apart of the Mickey Mouse club so to speak?

I think so, but that deserves its own thread. This thread is about NBC and Ed Ansin.

[broadcastfan9751 140]

Ed Ansin has told The Boston Globe that he rejected a $200 million offer by NBC for WHDH. He says that he will not consider any offers below $500 million and that any deal would have to include WLVI.

[TexasTVNews 1377]

So that's what this is about, cash.

 

In the words of Rico Tubbs (Miami Vice) - Bottom line is M-O-N-E-Y.

[mardek1995 200]

So that's what this is about, cash.

 

In the words of Rico Tubbs (Miami Vice) - Bottom line is M-O-N-E-Y.

He must really value his Boston duopoly

[mre29 1537]

Edit: Would NBC consider taking WLVI and flipping it to Telemundo and offer the CW [back] to CBS?

 

That occurred to me, too. NBC could get their O&O and improve their Telemundo station's reception in one move, then turn the current WNEU into spectrum bait (or whatever you prefer to call it). As an added bonus, CBS would get the CW for WSBK and Ansin would get a nice amount of money that he could pour into WSVN. The only potential loser would be MNTV...for however long it takes Fox to find a new home for it.

 

In fact, I'd say that's the best possible scenario here.

[scrabbleship 429]

That occurred to me, too. NBC could get their O&O and improve their Telemundo station's reception in one move, then turn the current WNEU into spectrum bait (or whatever you prefer to call it). As an added bonus, CBS would get the CW for WSBK and Ansin would get a nice amount of money that he could pour into WSVN. The only potential loser would be MNTV...for however long it takes Fox to find a new home for it.

 

In fact, I'd say that's the best possible scenario here.

 

I would assume the programming inventory of WLVI would be up for sale in this case. I mentioned this earlier but how viable would My on a hypothetical WCVB 5.2 (with MeTV going to 5.3) be?

 

If not that, WWDP or WMPF could be good starting point for a duo for Cox.

[Rusty Muck 4378]

If ABC/Disney had an interest could you see WFAA/Channel 8 apart of the Mickey Mouse club so to speak?

What... what does that have to do with anything?

And Disney doesn't buy TV stations. Didn't anyone learn from the sale of WJLA? ANYONE???? THEY DON'T BUY STATIONS!!!

[Rusty Muck 4378]

So that's what this is about, cash.

 

In the words of Rico Tubbs (Miami Vice) - Bottom line is M-O-N-E-Y.

He must really value his Boston duopoly

The Ansin family hails from the Boston area to begin with. Ed Ansin takes pride in owning WHDH, as the article clearly shows.

 

If I were him, I would be as equally appalled at how little NBC is valuing WHDH, considering that he doesn't want to sell it in the first place.

[24994J 5585]

What... what does that have to do with anything?

And Disney doesn't buy TV stations. Didn't anyone learn from the sale of WJLA? ANYONE???? THEY DON'T BUY STATIONS!!!

Bad example. There was interest, but the old company wasn't willing to sell individual stations.

 

That's said, you're still generally right.

[rkolsen 1684]

Ed Ansin has told The Boston Globe that he rejected a $200 million offer by NBC for WHDH. He says that he will not consider any offers below $500 million and that any deal would have to include WLVI.

 

Well if that's the case NBC could just get better signals for NBC and Telemundo for Boston proper. To make the deal go smoothly they could "donate" the WNEU license to a Universitty, a PBS station, or actually the cash from a possible spectrum auction.

[bostonmediaguy 123]

I bet this would not happen if Boston had an NBC O&O: http://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2015/12/22/copley-square-viewing-nhl-winter-classic-canceled-over-broadcast-rights-dispute/gvnkC93utUxLBNCDk6jBLP/story.html

 

NBC will not grant the City of Boston a viewing license to showcase the NHL Winter Classic, being played in suburban Foxboro, in Boston's Copley Square.

[Weeters 1916]

That occurred to me, too. NBC could get their O&O and improve their Telemundo station's reception in one move, then turn the current WNEU into spectrum bait (or whatever you prefer to call it). As an added bonus, CBS would get the CW for WSBK and Ansin would get a nice amount of money that he could pour into WSVN. The only potential loser would be MNTV...for however long it takes Fox to find a new home for it.

 

In fact, I'd say that's the best possible scenario here.

 

They would be required to divest WNEU prior to closing on the duopoly. The FCC isn't going to let NBC own three full power stations in one market.

 

More reason why Ansin holds all the cards here.

[scrabbleship 429]

They would be required to divest WNEU prior to closing on the duopoly. The FCC isn't going to let NBC own three full power stations in one market.

 

More reason why Ansin holds all the cards here.

 

With Entravision being cheap and Univision/UniMas being practical rimshots, this would be a great attempt to upgrade Telemundo to a signal all Hispanic households in the market can see. Most of WLVI's value right now is the CW affiliation, the rest of the station has been run into the ground.

 

Both sides think they hold all the cards here. It's the ultimate David and Goliath battle but the victory could be phyrric regardless of the outcome.

[mre29 1537]

They would be required to divest WNEU prior to closing on the duopoly. The FCC isn't going to let NBC own three full power stations in one market.

 

More reason why Ansin holds all the cards here.

 

Well, yeah, obviously they would unload the station they no longer needed. I figured that was utterly obvious and didn't need to be said.

[rkolsen 1684]

I bet this would not happen if Boston had an NBC O&O: http://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2015/12/22/copley-square-viewing-nhl-winter-classic-canceled-over-broadcast-rights-dispute/gvnkC93utUxLBNCDk6jBLP/story.html

 

NBC will not grant the City of Boston a viewing license to showcase the NHL Winter Classic, being played in suburban Foxboro, in Boston's Copley Square.

I think it may just be the rights issue. If the NHL and NBC grant permission for the game to be played on a big screen in a public area - they then may get similar requests and may loose out on money (given the amount cable and satellite charge for business / restaurant viewing) or the audience can't be counted. I remember a few years ago during the Olympics when Michael Phelps tied his medal count the Ravens had to get permission from WBAL, NBC and the IOC to broadcast his win on the Ravens Vision boards after the game.

[ColumbusNewsFan 217]

So all NBC has to do to get WHDH off Ansin's hand is $200 Million more then its $300 million offer and you get a improved signal for Telemundo out of it as well and you can make that $200 million back by selling WNEU in a spectrum auction.

 

You can Combine to power of WHDH, NECN and CSN New England and become not just a threat but a Monster of news in New England and put pressure on WBZ, WCVB and take out WFXT in the process. And use whatever money to invest in Telemundo's News Operation in Boston.

 

It's simple as this. NBC just get the freaking deal done! If you set your stupid pride aside you could make a monster in Boston by owning the Spanish and English language news markets!

 

Ansin is telling you will only take Half a Billion to get me away from it! Just say here "Ansin take your money and run off to Miami already!"

 

My god, NBC! Use your FREAKING Brains here for once during this whole situation! You could make out like bandits here if you only use your freaking heads like The good god above intend you to do!

[Brother 83]

I think everyone is (or will be) misunderstanding Weeters' salient information here. NBC simply cannot buy both WHDH and WLVI until they completely unload WNEU. Now, everyone's saying they'll give it up in the upcoming spectrum auction. But how long will the auction last? Last I saw, it's merely scheduled to begin next March 29. The end of the auction seems to be open-ended. So, if NBC's hellbent on cashing in WNEU for auction monies, they'll have to hold onto it till the cows come home, and who knows how far into the future that will actually be.

 

For all those demanding NBC do something and do it now, you're pretty much forcing them into either selling off WNEU for cheap or simply handing in the license to the FCC for nothing, then hoping they can work out a swell deal with Ed Ansin.

 

In a nutshell, if NBC wants WHDH, they'll have to either spend two boatloads of cash now, or wait indefinitely to spend slightly less than two boatloads of cash later.

[A3N 1002]

So all NBC has to do to get WHDH off Ansin's hand is $200 Million more then its $300 million offer and you get a improved signal for Telemundo out of it as well and you can make that $200 million back by selling WNEU in a spectrum auction.

 

You can Combine to power of WHDH, NECN and CSN New England and become not just a threat but a Monster of news in New England and put pressure on WBZ, WCVB and take out WFXT in the process. And use whatever money to invest in Telemundo's News Operation in Boston.

 

It's simple as this. NBC just get the freaking deal done! If you set your stupid pride aside you could make a monster in Boston by owning the Spanish and English language news markets!

 

Ansin is telling you will only take Half a Billion to get me away from it! Just say here "Ansin take your money and run off to Miami already!"

 

My god, NBC! Use your FREAKING Brains here for once during this whole situation! You could make out like bandits here if you only use your freaking heads like The good god above intend you to do!

Things are not as simple as you're making it out to be. If it was simple as writing a check, Comcast would have done it already. This is a classic example of how business deals/negotiations come about. One party (Comcast) will always low-ball offer the other (Ansin). It's a starting point, and as you read in the article, Ansin is asking for a minimum of $500 MILLION. Of course Comcast will want to get its hands on the station for the least amount of money possible, eventually the purchase price will be somewhere in between.

 

Ansin knows he's backed into a wall, and will not go down without a fight. So he's trying to drag this out as long as possible to get the most money possible.

 

Since i'm not too versed on FCC ownership rules, etc. Couldn't Comcast use a shell company to take "ownership" of WNEU until they were able to divest the station?

 

Or how about this crazy ass idea: Comcast buys WHDH/WLVI and then transfers WNEU (minus the Telemundo affiliation) to Ansin to avoid the FCC ownership rules. Ansin then can turn around and do whatever he wants with the station...

[Mrtraveler01 738]

does they get much after the NH primaries with MA being a solid blue state?

 

NH is usually in play during the general too and since the Boston market covers the southern half of NH, they do get quite a bit of political ad revenue.

[ColumbusNewsFan 217]

Things are not as simple as you're making it out to be. If it was simple as writing a check, Comcast would have done it already. This is a classic example of how business deals/negotiations come about. One party (Comcast) will always low-ball offer the other (Ansin). It's a starting point, and as you read in the article, Ansin is asking for a minimum of $500 MILLION. Of course Comcast will want to get its hands on the station for the least amount of money possible, eventually the purchase price will be somewhere in between.

 

Ansin knows he's backed into a wall, and will not go down without a fight. So he's trying to drag this out as long as possible to get the most money possible.

 

Since i'm not too versed on FCC ownership rules, etc. Couldn't Comcast use a shell company to take "ownership" of WNEU until they were able to divest the station?

 

Or how about this crazy ass idea: Comcast buys WHDH/WLVI and then transfers WNEU (minus the Telemundo affiliation) to Ansin to avoid the FCC ownership rules. Ansin then can turn around and do whatever he wants with the station...

 

It boils down to one simple question for NBC and Sunbeam to answer,

 

How much money are you willing to spend as NBC to get Ansin and Sunbeam Television out of the picture?

 

Because I bet you this to set up a station from scratch with a crappy signal over Boston, would cost NBC a whole lot more then $500 million dollars, Because the translator's owner who nobody is paying any attention here in this whole situation wants to get paid. Also, there is no guarantee you'll make it back with that signal and that translator into Boston. It might be cheaper for them to buy a station with a establish news team with established brand where it matters in a market like Boston.

 

Your crazy ass idea, A3N, Isn't crazy at all and might be how it goes down in the end as there is a lot of give and take and a way where everybody get something here. Ansin might get some money out of the deal by selling or building WNEU with a MNTV signal. and NBC gets free from Sunbeam and get a upgrade for Telemundo out of it as well.

 

EDIT:

Crazy idea of my own here, instead of a shell company get a third company in play for WNEU. If Telemundo moves from WNEU and WSBK get The CW. in this proposed situation. WNEU could get the MNTV affiliation. Perfect situation for a Sinclair or Nexstar to jump in on. More likely Sinclair because they know how to run a MNTV station. With that complication out of the way it would make it clear sailing for NBC and Sunbeam to make a deal here.

 

Correct if I'm wrong on this third owner hypothesis.