TSSZNews 1051 Posted January 13, 2018 Share Posted January 13, 2018 The only thing Fox could do in retaliation is pull a mass disaffiliation with all Sinclair stations, with or without replacement affiliates in place. It would be a nuclear option that devastates both companies. I don’t see Sinclair screwing over Fox like that, though. They need each other to help facilitate this charade of a merger, more than even we think. I'm not so sure. I did some math. Let's say Sinclair plays hardball and FOX pulls their affiliations. That's 15.8% of the country suddenly without their FOX station, including Green Bay. Post-Trib merger that number would be almost 30%, including a couple more football markets. You bet Congress would get involved. You'd either see the affiliation swap of all time, or FOX would cease to exist as a major broadcaster (which I frankly think they're preparing for anyway.) Sinclair would just...I dunno, make their orphans all Comet affils or something. If this FCC and this administration Is as favorable to Sinclair as we would all like to believe, FOX needs them way more than the other way around. If this merger gets done, SInclair will have the production capability to create their own national network, which I also think is the endgame down the road. They will be fine. I'd feel different if they were all FOX affils--and Sinclair will be the largest holder of those for sure when all is said and done--but the company's diversified enough where I'm not sure it matters. ABC, for one, seems willing to play ball. Now, if we were talking the FOX of 10, 12 years ago when they were regularly #1 in the ratings, I'd also feel different. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/15610-sinclair-tribune-close-to-merger-deal/page/83/#findComment-193980 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty Muck 4374 Posted January 13, 2018 Share Posted January 13, 2018 Replacing network programming with a Comet or H&I or a daily strip talk show (if you recall the rumors of them talking to Bill O'Reilly a few months ago) wouldn't be that unheard of for Sinclair. I wouldn't call it a network per se, and Sinclair wouldn't, but that's really what it is. But such a possibility also dovetails with the decline of new product on broadcast television. It's not an immediate exodus but you see it already with the big streaming providers already grabbing the eyes and ears of demographics across the board. Maybe that's what Fox is recognizing, and why they are slowly pulling out of traditional linear output with the Disney deal (which also strengthens Disney's digital output substantially). Back in 2008, Jeff Zucker mentioned that there could be a possibility that NBC pulls up stakes and leaves OTA for cable. (This was around the same time that the GE budget cuts hampered their O&O division and crippled the network.) It's less likely that NBC will be the first to bail now, thanks to Comcast steering the network and their stations around... but it's going to happen soon to one network. Yes, Sinclair can fill the holes of the loss of a network if that happens, and probably won't miss a beat. The Bill O'Reilly rumors suggested they have thought of this possibility. But Sinclair also needs to bolster their digital holdings and digital presence, or they risk buying into a modern-day horse-and-buggy universe. They need to launch a Hulu or Netflix of their own that can offer their local news output and subchannel programming on demand. And... there's nothing that says Fox won't still eventually do an deal with an ION (or a Sinclair) for operations or infrastructure, even after they buy said 6-10 stations. Maybe those added stations makes the group even more palatable for such a deal, and that's really the intent. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/15610-sinclair-tribune-close-to-merger-deal/page/83/#findComment-194006 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrtraveler01 738 Posted January 13, 2018 Share Posted January 13, 2018 Or Sinclair could decide to keep KCPQ and KJZO and sell KOMO and KUNS instead. Doubtful, Sinclair has their webteam based out of KOMO Plaza. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/15610-sinclair-tribune-close-to-merger-deal/page/83/#findComment-194025 Share on other sites More sharing options...
newsteam13 395 Posted January 14, 2018 Share Posted January 14, 2018 Westword Denver is reporting that Rupert Murdoch might buy back FOX31, and at the same time, purchase CW2 (both Denver stations owned by Tribune). Looks like KWGN/KDVR might be side-by-side with WFLD FOX 32 and WPWR CW50, seeing that the Chicago duopoly is owned by FOX Television Stations. http://www.westword.com/news/rupert-murdoch-dealing-with-sinclair-for-denver-tv-stations-fox31-and-cw2-9874239 moreover, KDVR might use Beyond, while KWGN retains Locals Only. Both music packages composed by Stephen Arnold Music Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/15610-sinclair-tribune-close-to-merger-deal/page/83/#findComment-194029 Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonDonP1 118 Posted January 14, 2018 Share Posted January 14, 2018 Doubtful, Sinclair has their webteam based out of KOMO Plaza. You are right. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/15610-sinclair-tribune-close-to-merger-deal/page/83/#findComment-194037 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weeters 1916 Posted January 14, 2018 Share Posted January 14, 2018 You are right. Let's hope Sinclair would keep KOMO 4 and Univision Seattle and sell Q13 Fox and Joe TV to Fox Television Stations LLC. Okay. We get this too. Anyone who keeps repeating themselves in this thread is going to be thread banned. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/15610-sinclair-tribune-close-to-merger-deal/page/83/#findComment-194088 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrtraveler01 738 Posted January 14, 2018 Share Posted January 14, 2018 Westword Denver is reporting that Rupert Murdoch might buy back FOX31, and at the same time, purchase CW2 (both Denver stations owned by Tribune). Looks like KWGN/KDVR might be side-by-side with WFLD FOX 32 and WPWR CW50, seeing that the Chicago duopoly is owned by FOX Television Stations. http://www.westword.com/news/rupert-murdoch-dealing-with-sinclair-for-denver-tv-stations-fox31-and-cw2-9874239 moreover, KDVR might use Beyond, while KWGN retains Locals Only. Both music packages composed by Stephen Arnold Music If that's the case then look for Fox to do something similar with the Tribune duopoly in St Louis (KTVI/KPLR). And a good article you posted. Really highlights the possibly irony in the former KDVR ND leaving the station as soon as the Sinclair deal was announced, only to see that station possibly be bought back by Fox instead. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/15610-sinclair-tribune-close-to-merger-deal/page/83/#findComment-194089 Share on other sites More sharing options...
oklahomanewsman 210 Posted January 15, 2018 Share Posted January 15, 2018 If that's the case then look for Fox to do something similar with the Tribune duopoly in St Louis (KTVI/KPLR). And a good article you posted. Really highlights the possibly irony in the former KDVR ND leaving the station as soon as the Sinclair deal was announced, only to see that station possibly be bought back by Fox instead. I'm starting to think that the former KDVR/KWGN's News Director's decision to leave when this deal was announced was a bad decision, if he knew that KDVR/KWGN was getting sold off to someone else NOT named Sinclair, he would've never left KDVR in the first place. Oh well, he bettted on Sinclair keeping KDVR/KWGN and it's looking like he lost that bet. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/15610-sinclair-tribune-close-to-merger-deal/page/83/#findComment-194100 Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonDonP1 118 Posted January 15, 2018 Share Posted January 15, 2018 Okay. We get this too. Anyone who keeps repeating themselves in this thread is going to be thread banned. Hello, Weeters. My apologies. Forgiveness, please. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/15610-sinclair-tribune-close-to-merger-deal/page/83/#findComment-194125 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty Muck 4374 Posted January 16, 2018 Share Posted January 16, 2018 Westword Denver is reporting that Rupert Murdoch might buy back FOX31, and at the same time, purchase CW2 (both Denver stations owned by Tribune). Looks like KWGN/KDVR might be side-by-side with WFLD FOX 32 and WPWR CW50, seeing that the Chicago duopoly is owned by FOX Television Stations. http://www.westword.com/news/rupert-murdoch-dealing-with-sinclair-for-denver-tv-stations-fox31-and-cw2-9874239 Of course the story was headlined with, “Company ripped by John Oliver.” For a long-ago monologue that, to the best of my knowledge, had no follow-up and didn’t so much as to move the needle on anything beyond well-established talking points. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/15610-sinclair-tribune-close-to-merger-deal/page/83/#findComment-194241 Share on other sites More sharing options...
H4UL4U 127 Posted January 18, 2018 Share Posted January 18, 2018 I'm starting to think that the former KDVR/KWGN's News Director's decision to leave when this deal was announced was a bad decision, if he knew that KDVR/KWGN was getting sold off to someone else NOT named Sinclair, he would've never left KDVR in the first place. Oh well, he bettted on Sinclair keeping KDVR/KWGN and it's looking like he lost that bet. Think for a second: Is FTS really that much better than Sinclair? Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/15610-sinclair-tribune-close-to-merger-deal/page/83/#findComment-194489 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrtraveler01 738 Posted January 18, 2018 Share Posted January 18, 2018 I wish that would happen. I do hope Fox would assume ownership of Q13 and Joe TV--soon to be Fox 13 and Fox 13 Plus, respectively. From a branding standpoint, wouldn't it just make more sense to just go to Q13 Fox full time like KTVU did when they went to "KTVU Fox 2" all the time right after Fox bought them? And would it make any sense to rebrand JoeTV which I believe is actually a fairly popular TV station in Seattle because of it's strong syndicated lineup? I'm starting to think that the former KDVR/KWGN's News Director's decision to leave when this deal was announced was a bad decision, if he knew that KDVR/KWGN was getting sold off to someone else NOT named Sinclair, he would've never left KDVR in the first place. Oh well, he bettted on Sinclair keeping KDVR/KWGN and it's looking like he lost that bet. To be fair, she left the Tribune duopoly right after the merger was announced. Little did any of us know at the time that there was a less than 100% chance that KDVR and KWGN would not be acquired by Sinclair, especially since Denver wasn't a conflict market. Plus I think KMGH gave her an opportunity to turn around a news operation that many consider to be the weakest in Denver (although still decent). Think for a second: Is FTS really that much better than Sinclair? Yes. Outside of the superficial things (graphics, music, station logo, branding, etc.), Fox is actually pretty hands off with their O&O's. And they certainly don't force their affiliates to air content similar to what Sinclair forces their affiliates to air. In addition, Fox actually invests a lot into their stations and actually work to make their stations more competitive in their respective markets. KTVU is a good example. Cox ran an excellent news operation but because of the 49ers, Fox wanted the station. Cox finally gave in and sold it to Fox. People were worried that KTVU would change for the worse, but outside of the logo changing and the name change (now called KTVU Fox 2), not much has changed content wise. Instead, they have expanded their newscasts to new time slots (4pm and 11pm). Anyone who actually lives in the Bay Area is welcome to tell me if I'm wrong in this observation. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/15610-sinclair-tribune-close-to-merger-deal/page/83/#findComment-194491 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Georgie56 3305 Posted January 18, 2018 Share Posted January 18, 2018 Think for a second: Is FTS really that much better than Sinclair? By leaps and bounds. FTS doesn’t require its stations to air right-wing commentaries, despite FNC being right-wing. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/15610-sinclair-tribune-close-to-merger-deal/page/83/#findComment-194499 Share on other sites More sharing options...
NowBergen 681 Posted January 18, 2018 Share Posted January 18, 2018 By leaps and bounds. FTS doesn’t require its stations to air right-wing commentaries, despite FNC being right-wing. Instead they spend 30 minutes plugging their own entertainment shows. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/15610-sinclair-tribune-close-to-merger-deal/page/83/#findComment-194539 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mre29 1523 Posted January 19, 2018 Share Posted January 19, 2018 Instead they spend 30 minutes plugging their own entertainment shows. Still an improvement. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/15610-sinclair-tribune-close-to-merger-deal/page/83/#findComment-194563 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColtFromGulfcoast 708 Posted January 20, 2018 Share Posted January 20, 2018 https://www.armstrongwilliams.com/brands Good luck with that. Our best friends want to shell out WRLH, KOKH/KOCB, KZJO, WGNT, and KDNL. They're also trying to acquire WCWG/Greensboro (which is already being sold to Hearst) to try to play the quadropoly game. Keep dreaming! Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/15610-sinclair-tribune-close-to-merger-deal/page/83/#findComment-194628 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvcg66b3r 100 Posted January 20, 2018 Share Posted January 20, 2018 https://www.armstrongwilliams.com/brands Good luck with that. Our best friends want to shell out WRLH, KOKH/KOCB, KZJO, WGNT, and KDNL. They're also trying to acquire WCWG/Greensboro (which is already being sold to Hearst) to try to play the quadropoly game. Keep dreaming! I just reverted the Wikipedia articles on those stations, saying the editor used unsourced content. Now you're saying it might be true? Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/15610-sinclair-tribune-close-to-merger-deal/page/83/#findComment-194629 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColtFromGulfcoast 708 Posted January 20, 2018 Share Posted January 20, 2018 I just reverted the Wikipedia articles on those stations, saying the editor used unsourced content. Now you're saying it might be true? I remember earlier, Williams was bitching about the fact that the DOJ wasn't going to allow him to do this because of regulations so he may have posted this before then. He may (and most likely WILL) attempt to do this but I don't see it happening, especially in Oklahoma City, Seattle, STL and sure as hell, not Greensboro. He had to have announced this before Hearst announced their acquisition of the station in question and we just didn't catch it. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/15610-sinclair-tribune-close-to-merger-deal/page/83/#findComment-194630 Share on other sites More sharing options...
atlnews2 591 Posted January 20, 2018 Share Posted January 20, 2018 https://www.armstrongwilliams.com/brands Good luck with that. Our best friends want to shell out WRLH, KOKH/KOCB, KZJO, WGNT, and KDNL. They're also trying to acquire WCWG/Greensboro (which is already being sold to Hearst) to try to play the quadropoly game. Keep dreaming! where does he get the idea that he's getting WCWG? Hearst is trying to buy that station Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/15610-sinclair-tribune-close-to-merger-deal/page/83/#findComment-194631 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColtFromGulfcoast 708 Posted January 20, 2018 Share Posted January 20, 2018 where does he get the idea that he's getting WCWG? Hearst is trying to buy that station Amen! Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/15610-sinclair-tribune-close-to-merger-deal/page/83/#findComment-194632 Share on other sites More sharing options...
tw-804 192 Posted January 20, 2018 Share Posted January 20, 2018 WRLH is on the list?! Hope the affiliation and call letters won't change. Plus, most of Williams' stations are H&I (Heroes & Icons) affiliates. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/15610-sinclair-tribune-close-to-merger-deal/page/83/#findComment-194634 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColtFromGulfcoast 708 Posted January 20, 2018 Share Posted January 20, 2018 For Armstrong Williams to claim to want to advance minority ownership, he sure has a funny way of showing it. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/15610-sinclair-tribune-close-to-merger-deal/page/83/#findComment-194637 Share on other sites More sharing options...
oklahomanewsman 210 Posted January 20, 2018 Share Posted January 20, 2018 So Armstrong Williams wants WCWG LONG after Hearst announced they were going to acquire it outright? What on earth is he thinking? Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/15610-sinclair-tribune-close-to-merger-deal/page/83/#findComment-194639 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty Muck 4374 Posted January 20, 2018 Share Posted January 20, 2018 I just reverted the Wikipedia articles on those stations, saying the editor used unsourced content. Now you're saying it might be true? You made the right call. Wikipedia edits like those are less than trustworthy. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/15610-sinclair-tribune-close-to-merger-deal/page/83/#findComment-194647 Share on other sites More sharing options...
tyrannical bastard 3951 Posted January 20, 2018 Share Posted January 20, 2018 I'm surprised that Armstrong Williams hasn't gone after, and Sinclair has wished to dump markets like Minneapolis and Raleigh/Durham. You would have thought that Raleigh would have been ditched long ago. From the cursed WRDC to the self-inflicted damage of WLFL (by losing FOX to WRAZ). It's like they're holding out for ABC to sell WTVD.... Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/15610-sinclair-tribune-close-to-merger-deal/page/83/#findComment-194651 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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