Bernie Waterman dies

[AJClementeFan69 477]

http://www.nbc-2.com/story/36831487/waterman-broadcasting-bernie-waterman-dies-sanibel

 

WBBH/WZVN/WVIR owner Bernie Waterman has died at the age of 96.

[Samantha 2906]

He certainly seems like he had a long and rewarding life and career. My condolences to his family and stations.

 

Some of the linked pieces (particularly the Gulfshore Business one) make for good reading. For instance, I didn't know that Montclair (the WZVN sidecar) is owned by the Watermans' goddaughter, and the story of how the families met lends its name to the company:

 

Later, in 1996, Montclair Communications acquired the station. The company’s president, Kunkler, is the daughter of the Watermans’ best friends and former neighbors, Bill and Diane Kunkler, on Montclair Street in Worcester [Massachusetts].

[Eat News 4745]

Sad that Bernie died, ..hope he had the chance of spending all his money before his money grubbing kids got it.

 

Congrats to Bernie...

He made it to 96.

RIP.

 

"He was a fine man...and had many dear friends...he will be missed..."

[atlnews2 600]

do the children have any interest in the broadcasting business ?

[Eat News 4745]

do the children have any interest in the broadcasting business ?

 

If I go to the funeral I will ask them.

Hit me up when you find out what the arrangements are.

 

Thanks

[TSSZNews 1053]

do the children have any interest in the broadcasting business ?

 

If they don't, Ft. Myers is going to look like a VERY different market in a year or two.

[tyrannical bastard 4084]

Ft. Myers has been a very fortunate market to have multiple local owners....only WFTX has owned by out-of-town interests....going all the way back to their pre-Scripps ownership of WFTS in Tampa.

[Guest]

I give it a year or less and the Waterman interests will be gobbled up by a corporation.

[Info Junkie 1286]

If so, KEEP IT AWAY from Sinclair.

 

I’d see Raycom Media grabbing them. Don’t know why.

[Conrad 113]

If so, KEEP IT AWAY from Sinclair.

 

I’d see Raycom Media grabbing them. Don’t know why.

And KEEP IT AWAY from Nexstar, too.

 

Like you said, I could see Raycom grabbing them, though TEGNA could also work--with a problem though either way--the shell will own WZVN will also have to manage advertising sales for them, now that JSAs are banned (with existing JSAs now grandfathered). New SSAs require a disclosure.

[ColtFromGulfcoast 739]

If so, KEEP IT AWAY from Sinclair.

 

I’d see Raycom Media grabbing them. Don’t know why.

 

As long as we have the cap at 39%, Sinclair can't get them.

 

However, Raycom, along with Nexstar, Gray and Heartland, should be considered prime candidates. Especially given that none of them are YET in this market and they've usually gotten to most other markets this size by now.

[MXSans2 64]

WBBH and WZVN would be a nice addition to Raycom since they own WWSB.

 

Raycom can finally rule Western Florida

[TheRolyPoly 2655]

I know this is all speculation, including this post, but I see Raycom, Gray or Heartland taking over.

 

I don't wanna see Sinclair at all and I don't think Nexstar will take over. It would be nice to see Heartland finally expand to Florida, plus they manage their stations so well.

[Samantha 2906]

I know this is all speculation, including this post, but I see Raycom, Gray or Heartland taking over.

 

I don't wanna see Sinclair at all and I don't think Nexstar will take over. It would be nice to see Heartland finally expand to Florida, plus they manage their stations so well.

 

If the Watermans were to sell and insisted on bundling Charlottesville and Fort Myers, then Gray obviously couldn't enter into the picture.

[TheRolyPoly 2655]

If the Watermans were to sell and insisted on bundling Charlottesville and Fort Myers, then Gray obviously couldn't enter into the picture.

 

Well then it just leaves Raycom and Heartland.

[ChesapeakeTV 312]

WVIR would be a perfect fit for Heartland in particular. Remember that their modus operandi is to buy strong, tenured stations in college towns or state capitals. 29 ticks all of those boxes.

 

WBBH and WZVN might be a bit less appropriate, but then again they do seem to do okay against WINK...