Guest Posted June 25, 2018 Share Posted June 25, 2018 Moving all of this into its own thread so it can declutter the Out and About and the corporate threads. Obviously get the preliminary talk about the merger in those other threads. Alternatively, here's a link to an article on Raycom's site about it: https://www.raycommedia.com/gray-and-raycom-to-combine-in-a-3-6-billion-transaction/ Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/16508-grayraycom-merger-thread/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 25, 2018 Share Posted June 25, 2018 This deal will destroy big powerful stations in markets such as Charlotte, Columbia, Charleston, Wilmington, Savannah, Richmond, Birmingham, Memphis, and more. I warned you all before about Gray Television's thirst for power and wanting to grow bigger. They run everything cheap and in-house and you can expect the quality of all Raycom operations to basically be diminished. I said it once before, I said they will not stop until they are the size of Sinclair. They are the ones to watch very carefully. There are also very few markets Gray owns a #1 station. Gray is the new Nexstar. There's not really a political agenda like Sinclair, but everything is cheaply run. If it affects the company's bottom line, it will be done away with, whatever it is. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/16508-grayraycom-merger-thread/#findComment-206196 Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsn1992 25 Posted June 25, 2018 Share Posted June 25, 2018 For some gut reason, I had a feeling that this was going to be done sooner or later. Another sad day closer to consolidation in the media industry. (Just like every other day, it seems like.) Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/16508-grayraycom-merger-thread/#findComment-206199 Share on other sites More sharing options...
KevCor 344 Posted June 25, 2018 Share Posted June 25, 2018 Not that I see that happening, but this sale gives TEGNA an opportunity to get KMSB and KTTU out from under the JSA/SSA in Tucson... Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/16508-grayraycom-merger-thread/#findComment-206201 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samantha 2896 Posted June 25, 2018 Share Posted June 25, 2018 This is a massive acquisition. No wonder they don't want to bother with potentially permitted duopolies in the overlap markets. What is at risk, however, is WSWG, given that Gray is keeping WCTV but selling its dependent station. The biggest transition will be for the Raycom side. Raycom ownership only gets 11 percent of the combined company, and the new concern will be public instead of employee-owned as Raycom has been. That should result in some major changes. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/16508-grayraycom-merger-thread/#findComment-206202 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Breaking News 835 Posted June 25, 2018 Share Posted June 25, 2018 WOW... Raycom being bought by Gray....I mean at first Gannett bought Belo...I thought it would of been Belo buying Gannett...We know Sinclair trying desperately to snatch up Tribune.. Here hoping Cox buys Scripps Howard, but do wonder what going on in Montgomery, for Raycom to leave....I agree, Gray has made strides, but this is interesting.... Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/16508-grayraycom-merger-thread/#findComment-206203 Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidwestTV 1234 Posted June 25, 2018 Share Posted June 25, 2018 While unlikely, I'm curious to know if the announcement of this deal will face the same public backlash that currently exists for Sinclair-Tribune. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/16508-grayraycom-merger-thread/#findComment-206205 Share on other sites More sharing options...
susquvalleywgal 518 Posted June 25, 2018 Share Posted June 25, 2018 While unlikely, I'm curious to know if the announcement of this deal will face the same public backlash that currently exists for Sinclair-Tribune. Very unlikely — Matt Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/16508-grayraycom-merger-thread/#findComment-206207 Share on other sites More sharing options...
TSSZNews 1052 Posted June 25, 2018 Share Posted June 25, 2018 ATT/Time Warner sure opened the floodgates, didn't it? These scale wars are something to see. Pretty clear at this point everyone's taking the Trib/Sinclair merger seriously. It wouldn't shock me at all to see some combination of Hearst, Scripps, and Meredith--basically the only medium-sized guys left--to match. Not sure that Cox will pull the trigger because of some of the newspaper cross-ownerships they still have in some markets. As for the divested stations, I think any station below market 100 is ripe to have their IPs sold or transferred to .2s and their signals turned off, simply on the basis we're quickly running out of companies that can acquire them! Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/16508-grayraycom-merger-thread/#findComment-206208 Share on other sites More sharing options...
MidwestTV 1234 Posted June 25, 2018 Share Posted June 25, 2018 Very unlikely — Matt That's just it. If people are REALLY against these mega-consolidations, they'll protest this merger just as much as Sinclair; but since Gray isn't as political, I'm skeptical that it'll happen. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/16508-grayraycom-merger-thread/#findComment-206209 Share on other sites More sharing options...
racefan_09 14 Posted June 25, 2018 Share Posted June 25, 2018 Very disappointing. As somebody who has spent their life so far in the Charlotte market and has also spent plenty of time in Myrtle Beach, I have always been a fan of how Raycom stations are run. I am worried of how this will affect things. As somebody who is also a huge ACC sports fan, I am also concerned about the future of Raycom Sports, even though it may not last past this upcomig season anyways thanks to stupid ESPN. ACC on Raycom is a North Carolina tradition. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/16508-grayraycom-merger-thread/#findComment-206212 Share on other sites More sharing options...
appleachian 134 Posted June 25, 2018 Share Posted June 25, 2018 This deal will destroy big powerful stations in markets such as Charlotte, Columbia, Charleston, Wilmington, Savannah, Richmond, Birmingham, Memphis, and more. I warned you all before about Gray Television's thirst for power and wanting to grow bigger. They run everything cheap and in-house and you can expect the quality of all Raycom operations to basically be diminished. I said it once before, I said they will not stop until they are the size of Sinclair. They are the ones to watch very carefully. There are also very few markets Gray owns a #1 station. Gray is the new Nexstar. There's not really a political agenda like Sinclair, but everything is cheaply run. If it affects the company's bottom line, it will be done away with, whatever it is. I doubt it is possible for Gray to crater WIS/Columbia any more than Raycom has already done. Raycom is also cheap cheap cheap. Some of these stations won’t see any change. They did value WBTV though and I worry about that under Gray. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/16508-grayraycom-merger-thread/#findComment-206213 Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoldenShine9 1513 Posted June 25, 2018 Share Posted June 25, 2018 I'm going to guess this deal will be done near the end of 2018. Unlike the Sinclair-Tribune deal, both companies are cooperating and they are not bending any rules or fighting. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/16508-grayraycom-merger-thread/#findComment-206217 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Samantha 2896 Posted June 25, 2018 Share Posted June 25, 2018 I doubt it is possible for Gray to crater WIS/Columbia any more than Raycom has already done. Raycom is also cheap cheap cheap. Some of these stations won’t see any change. They did value WBTV though and I worry about that under Gray. Gray will be new to major-market TV. That will be a considerable adjustment for them. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/16508-grayraycom-merger-thread/#findComment-206219 Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoldenShine9 1513 Posted June 25, 2018 Share Posted June 25, 2018 From what I am reading, the new company is about 60% Gray, 40% Raycom in terms of operations. More like Nexstar-Media General (parts of MG being absorbed) than Sinclair-Tribune (a complete cash out). I'm also reading Hilton Howell will no longer be CEO, but Pat LaPlantey (Raycom) will run the company. I'm guessing Raycom side assets like Raycom Sports will merge in as well (IMO they should keep their names) under Gray ownership. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/16508-grayraycom-merger-thread/#findComment-206222 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Georgie56 3308 Posted June 25, 2018 Share Posted June 25, 2018 Speaking of Raycom Sports, what about that? Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/16508-grayraycom-merger-thread/#findComment-206224 Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoldenShine9 1513 Posted June 25, 2018 Share Posted June 25, 2018 Speaking of Raycom Sports, what about that? Becoming a part of Gray, based on the article. I think they will leave it alone under that name though for legacy purposes. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/16508-grayraycom-merger-thread/#findComment-206225 Share on other sites More sharing options...
T.L. Hughes 892 Posted June 25, 2018 Share Posted June 25, 2018 I'm guessing Raycom side assets like Raycom Sports will merge in as well (IMO they should keep their names) under Gray ownership. Actually, Raycom's side assets were announced to be included in the sale, with the exception of CNHI (Community Newspaper Holdings). The newspaper unit will be sold off to a separate buyer(s). Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/16508-grayraycom-merger-thread/#findComment-206226 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ntropolis 598 Posted June 25, 2018 Share Posted June 25, 2018 Will we still have to endure ceaseless promotion of Alabama’s prestigious Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail after the deal is done? Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/16508-grayraycom-merger-thread/#findComment-206233 Share on other sites More sharing options...
dman748 1256 Posted June 25, 2018 Share Posted June 25, 2018 From what I am reading, the new company is about 60% Gray, 40% Raycom in terms of operations. More like Nexstar-Media General (parts of MG being absorbed) than Sinclair-Tribune (a complete cash out). I'm also reading Hilton Howell will no longer be CEO, but Pat LaPlantey (Raycom) will run the company. I'm guessing Raycom side assets like Raycom Sports will merge in as well (IMO they should keep their names) under Gray ownership. Now that Raycom's people will stay on with Gray post-merger that should alleviate any potential concerns about dragging down the Raycom stations that some people in this thread have AND we can tos any possibility of Raycom's stations in markets above 60 out the door As for Raycom Sports, they'll still be around even though, they'll lose ACC rights to ESPN at the end of the 2018-19 Collegiate, could Gray potentially shut Raycom Sports down after the season given that Raycom Sports will have very little in terms of College Sports rights? We'll see Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/16508-grayraycom-merger-thread/#findComment-206237 Share on other sites More sharing options...
appleachian 134 Posted June 25, 2018 Share Posted June 25, 2018 Raycom Sports may die after the coming season as the ACC moves to its own ESPN-produced network. I’m not sure what else they do besides ACC basketball and football games. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/16508-grayraycom-merger-thread/#findComment-206238 Share on other sites More sharing options...
appleachian 134 Posted June 25, 2018 Share Posted June 25, 2018 As for Raycom Sports, they'll still be around even though, they'll lose ACC rights to ESPN at the end of the 2018-19 Collegiate, could Gray potentially shut Raycom Sports down after the season given that Raycom Sports will have very little in terms of College Sports rights? We'll seeBeat me to it by seconds! Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/16508-grayraycom-merger-thread/#findComment-206239 Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoldenShine9 1513 Posted June 25, 2018 Share Posted June 25, 2018 Now that Raycom's people will stay on with Gray post-merger that should alleviate any potential concerns about dragging down the Raycom stations that some people in this thread have AND we can tos any possibility of Raycom's stations in markets above 60 out the door As for Raycom Sports, they'll still be around even though, they'll lose ACC rights to ESPN at the end of the 2018-19 Collegiate, could Gray potentially shut Raycom Sports down after the season given that Raycom Sports will have very little in terms of College Sports rights? We'll see That would not be surprising, although they could go for mid-major rights. Could this mean changes for current Gray stations? Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/16508-grayraycom-merger-thread/#findComment-206241 Share on other sites More sharing options...
T.L. Hughes 892 Posted June 25, 2018 Share Posted June 25, 2018 That would not be surprising, although they could go for mid-major rights. Aren't the rights to most sports from the mid-major conferences locked up by Sinclair's Stadium network (as holdovers to rights originally held by the former American Sports Network syndie service)? Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/16508-grayraycom-merger-thread/#findComment-206244 Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoldenShine9 1513 Posted June 25, 2018 Share Posted June 25, 2018 Aren't the rights to most sports from the mid-major conferences locked up by Sinclair's Stadium network (as holdovers to rights originally held by the former American Sports Network syndie service)? Yes but for how long? If any are up after this year, they could make a play for some. Particularly the Sun Belt and MAC, as they are in their combined footprint. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/16508-grayraycom-merger-thread/#findComment-206246 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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