Gray Media - General Thread

[TheRolyPoly 3510]

Apparently, Mason City has never had FOX until now because Gray has signed on a translator of KXLT for Mason City.

 

https://northpine.com/2025/10/30/mason-city-gets-over-the-air-access-to-fox-for-first-time/?fbclid=IwY2xjawNwm31leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHld5C1pTw7N6xra0PgPBmiin10sbzXBfOShPSIBYYxhooJbF3bVqPgxdUVe0_aem_Hruwtx-elIJg6j9PYhlDaw&amp=1

[TheRolyPoly 3510]

Gray is ready to play ball with the Atlanta Hawks by showcasing 11 of their games on WANF, PSN, and on several of their stations across the state.

 

https://tvnewscheck.com/programming/article/atlanta-hawks-partner-with-fanduel-sports-network-gray-medias-atlanta-news-first-to-simulcast-11-games-free-over-the-air/

[ABC 7 Denver 1889]

On 8/28/2025 at 12:20 PM, JCB4TV said:

A new logo as well!

 

Feels like a knockoff of WPIX.

[cg4 18]

On 11/4/2025 at 5:55 PM, ABC 7 Denver said:

 

Feels like a knockoff of WPIX.

 

Nah, it looks almost exactly like WKRC's 90's/2000's logo.

[ABC 7 Denver 1889]

On 11/12/2025 at 7:31 AM, cg4 said:

 

Nah, it looks almost exactly like WKRC's 90's/2000's logo.

 

What?

 

[cg4 18]

The 12 looks very similar.

[TheRolyPoly 3510]

Since last month, KFXF Fairbanks has been converted from Me-TV and MyNetworkTV to MyNetworkTV and Gray's newest regional sports network, the Last Frontier Sports and Entertainment Network, which is Fairbanks' home of the Seattle Kraken.

 

https://www.webcenterfairbanks.com/2025/09/02/kfxf-channel-7-is-excited-announce-launch-last-frontier-sports-entertainment-network-fairbanks/

[TheRolyPoly 3510]

WKYT has replaced their 6:30pm news on The CW Lexington with... the WKYT First Alert Weather Show. Its part of Gray's continuing trend to develop all-weather shows and streams.

 

It started today (weird to start on a Thursday) and features Bill Bryant and Chief Meteorologist Chris Bailey.

 

 

[TheRolyPoly 3510]

Another programming change...

 

I don't think many people know that WDNN-CD out of Dalton, Ga., is now also owned by Gray Media. Since then, Gray has moved the station's COL to Chattanooga (the TV market home of Dalton, Ga.) and has added Telemundo Chattanooga on 49.1 and Tennessee Valley Sports and Entertainment on 49.2.

 

For the record, Gray DOES NOT own a major affiliate in the market as its saturated by Sarkes Tarizan (WRCB), Sinclair (WTVC/.1 and .2 + manages WFLI), and Morris (WDEF).

[TennTV1983 870]

28 minutes ago, TheRolyPoly said:

Another programming change...

 

I don't think many people know that WDNN-CD out of Dalton, Ga., is now also owned by Gray Media. Since then, Gray has moved the station's COL to Chattanooga (the TV market home of Dalton, Ga.) and has added Telemundo Chattanooga on 49.1 and Tennessee Valley Sports and Entertainment on 49.2.

 

For the record, Gray DOES NOT own a major affiliate in the market as its saturated by Sarkes Tarizan (WRCB), Sinclair (WTVC/.1 and .2 + manages WFLI), and Morris (WDEF).

 

Well, yes and no. While technically Gray doesn't own a station in Chattanooga outright, they do have a stake in Sarkes Tarzian, Inc. - the owners of WRCB - that could be used as leverage if they so choose.

[Breaking News 888]

49 minutes ago, TennTV1983 said:

 

Well, yes and no. While technically Gray doesn't own a station in Chattanooga outright, they do have a stake in Sarkes Tarzian, Inc. - the owners of WRCB - that could be used as leverage if they so choose.

Don't give Gray any more ideas now

[TheRolyPoly 3510]

It looks like Gray is expanding Local News LIVE into actual over-the-air television. Three test markets are being developed for this method, and this is in addition to LLT: Local Look Today, which is the name of the same network for cable providers.

 

According to RabbitEars:

KLNL-LD 14.1 College Station (brand new station, sister to KBTX, unknown on picture format)

KTLE-LD 20.5 Odessa (Telemundo on .1; sister to KOSA and KCWO, 480i 16:9 SD)

KLBB-LD 48.5 Lubbock (Me-TV on .1; 1080i HD)

[TheRolyPoly 3510]

Another Gray sports deal. This time, AAPB's Kansas City Monarchs. All 50 home games on...

• KSMO Channel 62 Kansas City
• WIBW Channel 13.6 Topeka (home to Outlaw)
• KWCH Channel 12.4 Wichita (home to Outlaw)

https://www.kctv5.com/2025/12/11/kansas-city-monarchs-ink-2-year-deal-with-kctv5-ksmo-tv/

[NYAZSporty 196]

Gray Media is acquiring WBBJ in Jackson, TN from Bahakel Communications. https://graytv.gcs-web.com/static-files/5f255cb0-5594-4a91-a81a-ce7f5cb1be90

[GoldenShine_10 263]

3 hours ago, NYAZSporty said:

Gray Media is acquiring WBBJ in Jackson, TN from Bahakel Communications. https://graytv.gcs-web.com/static-files/5f255cb0-5594-4a91-a81a-ce7f5cb1be90

 

That brings them 2 steps away from full coverage in Tennessee. Chattanooga is probably a case of them waiting to grab WRCB (which I am sure they have high interest in and would fit Gray extremely well), but the Tri-Cities will likely be out of reach barring a trade.

Edited December 16, 2025 by GoldenShine_10

[tyrannical bastard 4676]

It's likely bad news not only for WBBJ, but also for the entire Jackson market. 

 

I wouldn't be surprised if the station is decimated in favor of being run out of either Memphis and/or Nashville.

 

As for the rest of Bahakel, if ownership rules can be loosened, and if Bahakel is willing to sell, WCCB, WOLO and WFXB are easy targets for Gray.

 

The stations in Montgomery are VERY unlikely to sell because once Gray gets WCOV from Allen Media, that only leaves Bahakel as the other owner in the market, and there's no way a total monopoly would fly unless Bahakel sells them to another owner.

 

[ColtFromGulfcoast 869]

3 hours ago, GoldenShine_10 said:

 

That brings them 2 steps away from full coverage in Tennessee. Chattanooga is probably a case of them waiting to grab WRCB (which I am sure they have high interest in and would fit Gray extremely well), but the Tri-Cities will likely be out of reach barring a trade.

Idk why I feel like WTVC and WCYB are better fits for Gray. 

[GoldenShine_10 263]

18 minutes ago, tyrannical bastard said:

It's likely bad news not only for WBBJ, but also for the entire Jackson market. 

 

I wouldn't be surprised if the station is decimated in favor of being run out of either Memphis and/or Nashville.

 

As for the rest of Bahakel, if ownership rules can be loosened, and if Bahakel is willing to sell, WCCB, WOLO and WFXB are easy targets for Gray.

 

The stations in Montgomery are VERY unlikely to sell because once Gray gets WCOV from Allen Media, that only leaves Bahakel as the other owner in the market, and there's no way a total monopoly would fly unless Bahakel sells them to another owner.

 

 

In the case of WCCB, it could be sold now without an issue, as it is likely ranked 5th, and Gray only has WBTV.

[LTSC1980 130]

Another Gray vs Coastal market.

 

EDIT: Found out that Nexstar has FOX16, but still.

Edited December 20, 2025 by LTSC1980

[TennTV1983 870]

On 12/16/2025 at 9:05 PM, tyrannical bastard said:

It's likely bad news not only for WBBJ, but also for the entire Jackson market. 

 

I wouldn't be surprised if the station is decimated in favor of being run out of either Memphis and/or Nashville.

 

More or less, WBBJ proper would operate as a satellite of WMC since Jackson is only a 1 hour drive from Memphis compared to Nashville.

 

Outside of that possibility, I'd expect WBBJ to be treated like WWSB in Sarasota.

Edited December 18, 2025 by TennTV1983

[TheRolyPoly 3510]

8 hours ago, TennTV1983 said:

 

More or less, WBBJ proper would operate as a satellite of WMC since Jackson is only a 1 hour drive from Memphis compared to Nashville.

 

Outside of that possibility, I'd expect WBBJ to be treated like WWSB in Sarasota.

 

Well hold on to that thought for a second...

 

The same thing could've happened to WTAP. Remember when WTAP and WSAZ became commonly owned by Gray in the early 2000s?

 

There was thought that WTAP's news department would shut down in favor of WSAZ's own news but because it was such a revenue-generating machine for that market, Gray elected to keep WTAP with their own news department.

 

If WBBJ's finances are well enough and bring in enough significant dough for the station and for Gray, then don't expect that. WBBJ is the 800-lb gorilla in Jackson, Tenn. since it, honestly speaking, has no competition. They'll be fine.

[nathannah 2792]

Gray is looking towards the ATSC 3.0 future for WGGB and a full Bay State presence; Gray put in an application to move WSHM-LD from Springfield to Boston from the Neeham candleabra. You wonder if they see WFXT's time with Fox coming to an end.

[TheRolyPoly 3510]

37 minutes ago, nathannah said:

Gray is looking towards the ATSC 3.0 future for WGGB and a full Bay State presence; Gray put in an application to move WSHM-LD from Springfield to Boston from the Neeham candleabra. You wonder if they see WFXT's time with Fox coming to an end.

 

Wooooow.

 

I see that it would move from Channel 33 in Springfield to Channel 23 in Boston, and it would have to give up the CBS affiliation and programming to a WGGB subchannel, since we all know there's only one 'BZ in Boston. It would also mean that WGGB and WSHM (and WFSB by a certain connection) would no longer be connected, though they would remain as sister stations.

 

Let's say this does happen... what are Gray's future plans for WSHM-LD? An introduction of YET another local news department in Beantown? I mean, sure, but it's VERY saturated. WBZ/WSBK, WCVB, WHDH/WLVI, WMUR, WBTS/NECN, WFXT (which itself almost airs news 24 hours a day, both live and repeats!), and that's only in English (we had seven at one point until WBIN gave up too quickly). That's six in total with this possible seventh addition from Gray's WSHM? My oh my.

 

Even if Gray wanted to expand to Boston (my unofficial fourth home market), one... it still wouldn't have a full Bay State presence because you're still missing Providence/New Bedford (my third home market), and that market is already ruined by evil corporations, and two... good luck launching a new news department in a market already oversaturated and still has loyality to either 4, 5 or 7 (or even 9 for those in New Hampshire) since 15 and 25 are still way off in the ratings.

 

This is just my two cents, but it will be very hard for Gray to break through in Boston with WSHM when there's enough loyalty for other stations already in existence for decades.

[mre29 1967]

19 hours ago, TheRolyPoly said:

Let's say this does happen... what are Gray's future plans for WSHM-LD? An introduction of YET another local news department in Beantown? I mean, sure, but it's VERY saturated. WBZ/WSBK, WCVB, WHDH/WLVI, WMUR, WBTS/NECN, WFXT (which itself almost airs news 24 hours a day, both live and repeats!), and that's only in English (we had seven at one point until WBIN gave up too quickly). That's six in total with this possible seventh addition from Gray's WSHM? My oh my.

 

I know WMUR is in the Boston-Manchester market, but I don't see it as contributing to the oversaturation of news outlets in Boston as it generally stays focused on NH.

 

19 hours ago, TheRolyPoly said:

Even if Gray wanted to expand to Boston (my unofficial fourth home market), one... it still wouldn't have a full Bay State presence because you're still missing Providence/New Bedford (my third home market), and that market is already ruined by evil corporations, and two... good luck launching a new news department in a market already oversaturated and still has loyality to either 4, 5 or 7 (or even 9 for those in New Hampshire) since 15 and 25 are still way off in the ratings.

 

This is just my two cents, but it will be very hard for Gray to break through in Boston with WSHM when there's enough loyalty for other stations already in existence for decades.

 

Maybe Gray's looking to purchase Coxapollo and wanted to get their foot in the market in advance of that.

[l_miro 245]

23 hours ago, TheRolyPoly said:

 

Wooooow.

 

I see that it would move from Channel 33 in Springfield to Channel 23 in Boston, and it would have to give up the CBS affiliation and programming to a WGGB subchannel, since we all know there's only one 'BZ in Boston. It would also mean that WGGB and WSHM (and WFSB by a certain connection) would no longer be connected, though they would remain as sister stations.

 

Let's say this does happen... what are Gray's future plans for WSHM-LD? An introduction of YET another local news department in Beantown? I mean, sure, but it's VERY saturated. WBZ/WSBK, WCVB, WHDH/WLVI, WMUR, WBTS/NECN, WFXT (which itself almost airs news 24 hours a day, both live and repeats!), and that's only in English (we had seven at one point until WBIN gave up too quickly). That's six in total with this possible seventh addition from Gray's WSHM? My oh my.

 

Even if Gray wanted to expand to Boston (my unofficial fourth home market), one... it still wouldn't have a full Bay State presence because you're still missing Providence/New Bedford (my third home market), and that market is already ruined by evil corporations, and two... good luck launching a new news department in a market already oversaturated and still has loyality to either 4, 5 or 7 (or even 9 for those in New Hampshire) since 15 and 25 are still way off in the ratings.

 

This is just my two cents, but it will be very hard for Gray to break through in Boston with WSHM when there's enough loyalty for other stations already in existence for decades.

 

NBC10 could barely hack it at creating a brand new news operation even with NBC's deep pockets. Gray would be even worse, it's an LPTV that has no must-carry.

 

The FCC issued clarification on LPTV rules on the 18th when this petition was filed, it gave LPTV stations more displacement protection vs old rules that would often result in an LPTV being eliminated. Given LPTV is not anchored to a DMA and TV licenses as spectrum, it looks like an ATSC3 speculation or Gray simply increasing the value of their license to about $4-$6 million just by relocating for ~$500K cost. Snatching FOX from WFXT is a possiblity, if FOX doesn't care about having a local newsroom so not quite a ABC-WPLG