Working4You 40 Posted August 1, 2020 Share Posted August 1, 2020 (edited) Rather Breaking News in Alaska.... https://www.ktva.com/story/42439484/gci-sells-ktva-to-gray-television GCI sold its CBS programming to Gray and Gray immediately moved the CBS affiliation to their already owned Channel 5 to create CBS 5 Anchorage. Note to point out that Gray already owns NBC station KTUU. https://www.ktuu.com/2020/07/31/ktuu-expands-into-southeast-alaska-and-kyes-launches-cbs5-anchorage/ Gray also bought the CBS Southeast Alaska stations and NBC Southeast Stations from GCI as well. Quote from the Gray produced article. "Through these separate agreements, KTVA’s local news operation will be preserved and enhanced under the stewardship of a pure-play broadcaster that owns leading local news operations in over 90 markets across the country, from Fairbanks, Alaska, to West Palm Beach, Florida." This also means that (from what I can tell) Gray now owns all NBC and CBS in the Alaska. Edited August 1, 2020 by Working4You 4 1 1 1 Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/17906-gray-tv-takes-over-cbs-in-anchorage-ak/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
NEOMatrix 1299 Posted August 1, 2020 Share Posted August 1, 2020 (edited) My guess is that the next few months, KYES will operate the old KTVA news department until Gray likely transitions to “Alaska News Now”. That being said, it does leave Anchorage with one news department left and no, I don’t count KYUR because that news department has been gutted like a fish this past decade. Edited August 1, 2020 by NEOMatrix Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/17906-gray-tv-takes-over-cbs-in-anchorage-ak/#findComment-248412 Share on other sites More sharing options...
susquvalleywgal 517 Posted August 1, 2020 Share Posted August 1, 2020 I'm sorry. But that is the most ugly looking 5 I have ever seen. Really??? I mean, I know it's Alaska, but still. -- Matt 1 Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/17906-gray-tv-takes-over-cbs-in-anchorage-ak/#findComment-248414 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Working4You 40 Posted August 1, 2020 Author Share Posted August 1, 2020 (edited) 12 minutes ago, susquvalleywgal said: I'm sorry. But that is the most ugly looking 5 I have ever seen. Really??? I mean, I know it's Alaska, but still. -- Matt Looks like Gray just took the 5 from the current KYES MyNetwork TV logo and slapped a CBS network eye next to i t. Edited August 1, 2020 by Working4You 2 Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/17906-gray-tv-takes-over-cbs-in-anchorage-ak/#findComment-248415 Share on other sites More sharing options...
susquvalleywgal 517 Posted August 1, 2020 Share Posted August 1, 2020 1 minute ago, Working4You said: Looks like Gray just took the 5 from the current KYES MyNetwork TV logo and slapped a CBS network eye next to i t. Good point. So this took what ... 5 seconds to create and finish? lol -- Matt Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/17906-gray-tv-takes-over-cbs-in-anchorage-ak/#findComment-248416 Share on other sites More sharing options...
AmericanErrorist 149 Posted August 1, 2020 Share Posted August 1, 2020 So the affiliation switch has happened today, with no build-up? Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/17906-gray-tv-takes-over-cbs-in-anchorage-ak/#findComment-248417 Share on other sites More sharing options...
susquvalleywgal 517 Posted August 1, 2020 Share Posted August 1, 2020 If Gray was smart, they would use the KTVA set for Alaska News Now. It would be a waste of such a nice set just to get dismantled all because of one owner to rule them all. -- Matt Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/17906-gray-tv-takes-over-cbs-in-anchorage-ak/#findComment-248418 Share on other sites More sharing options...
J1975am 208 Posted August 1, 2020 Share Posted August 1, 2020 3 hours ago, Working4You said: Rather Breaking News in Alaska.... https://www.ktva.com/story/42439484/gci-sells-ktva-to-gray-television GCI sold its CBS programming to Gray and Gray immediately moved the CBS affiliation to their already owned Channel 5 to create CBS 5 Anchorage. Note to point out that Gray already owns NBC station KTUU. https://www.ktuu.com/2020/07/31/ktuu-expands-into-southeast-alaska-and-kyes-launches-cbs5-anchorage/ Gray also bought the CBS Southeast Alaska stations and NBC Southeast Stations from GCI as well. Quote from the Gray produced article. "Through these separate agreements, KTVA’s local news operation will be preserved and enhanced under the stewardship of a pure-play broadcaster that owns leading local news operations in over 90 markets across the country, from Fairbanks, Alaska, to West Palm Beach, Florida." This also means that (from what I can tell) Gray now owns all NBC and CBS in the Alaska. 48 minutes ago, susquvalleywgal said: I'm sorry. But that is the most ugly looking 5 I have ever seen. Really??? I mean, I know it's Alaska, but still. -- Matt Come on now! I actually like this 5! The logos for KALB in Alexandria, LA (which is now a Gray-owned station) in the 70s were uglier! 3 Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/17906-gray-tv-takes-over-cbs-in-anchorage-ak/#findComment-248419 Share on other sites More sharing options...
TSSZNews 1051 Posted August 1, 2020 Share Posted August 1, 2020 Getting lost in all of this: A couple of alarm bells about the health of some of the media companies in smaller markets. 1) GCI is *the* cable company in Alaska. They provide telcom and other services to a vast majority of the state's residents. They should have the cash flow to continue operations... 2) ...Especially when you consider that GCI is a subsidiary of what was formerly known as Liberty Interactive--of John Malone/Liberty Media. GCI should be healthy enough to own television stations in general, let alone a competing, news producing station in the market. So what's changed where they're tossing it all? 3 Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/17906-gray-tv-takes-over-cbs-in-anchorage-ak/#findComment-248423 Share on other sites More sharing options...
C Block 1566 Posted August 1, 2020 Share Posted August 1, 2020 I'm confused...so GCI handed over the CBS affiliation to KYES, which Gray owns. But GCI still owns the now-independent KTVA while it tries to find a buyer for the station? Did I get that right? Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/17906-gray-tv-takes-over-cbs-in-anchorage-ak/#findComment-248424 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProButtonPusher 230 Posted August 1, 2020 Share Posted August 1, 2020 It’s hurting my head. I’m guessing the non-licensed assets of KTVA have been sold to Gray, and Gray is putting those non-licensed assets on KYES. so, KTVA is effectively just a license and transmitter now, with no programming? 1 Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/17906-gray-tv-takes-over-cbs-in-anchorage-ak/#findComment-248425 Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheRyan 560 Posted August 1, 2020 Share Posted August 1, 2020 (edited) Does anyone actually believe Gray will keep the news operations separate? I personally think they'll merge it down the road, although I hope not. And how in the world can this possibly be legal? I know Gray only legally acquired the affiliation and "intellectual" assets (plus the Southeast Alaska stations), but I have a hard time seeing how this is legal. You have one owner with TWO big four affiliated stations at this point--supposedly with two separate news departments? Hello FCC? Edited August 1, 2020 by TheRyan Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/17906-gray-tv-takes-over-cbs-in-anchorage-ak/#findComment-248426 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Working4You 40 Posted August 1, 2020 Author Share Posted August 1, 2020 (edited) I will be honest this all sounds no different than what Raycom did back in Hawaii. Raycom owned KHNL NBC 13 and KFVE MYTV 5 while KGMB CBS 9 had a different owner. Raycom took over KGMB (CBS) and moved the whole station to channel 5. Channel 9 became MyTV as K5. If I am not mistaken only KGMB (5) and KHNL (13) were owned by Raycom? So it was legal since they didn't technically own KFVE (9) (Now KIII). Also Nexstar just had this happen in South Texas, KVEO was NBC and KGBT was CBS 4. CBS 4 was given to Nexstar from the Sinclair/Tribune Mishap , affiliation and people and property was moved to 23.2 but Sinclair kept the KGBT 4 tower. So it sounds like it's legal, since Gray already owned KYES and KTUU legally, no stations changed hands just intellectual property? I have a feeling Gray will pull a Dakota News Now in Anchorage... Plucking the talent from each station (Like they did for KDLT and KSFY) and creating one bold branding. I guess Raycom did that too when Hawaii News Now was created. This is just a guess, but GCI is the major cell phone player in Alaska.... KTVA spectrum bait? Edited August 1, 2020 by Working4You Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/17906-gray-tv-takes-over-cbs-in-anchorage-ak/#findComment-248427 Share on other sites More sharing options...
nathannah 2446 Posted August 1, 2020 Share Posted August 1, 2020 1 hour ago, ProButtonPusher said: It’s hurting my head. I’m guessing the non-licensed assets of KTVA have been sold to Gray, and Gray is putting those non-licensed assets on KYES. so, KTVA is effectively just a license and transmitter now, with no programming? Basically sounds like a WSJV situation...except that KTVA's news department will likely be kept. WSJV still exists since it never got spectrum-baited, and is a non-competitive subchannel farm only existing to allow Quincy to collect free DRTV revenue, so this is likely KTVA's fate, in the same way KRDK ended up the same in Gray's Fargo shuffle. 44 minutes ago, Working4You said: This is just a guess, but GCI is the major cell phone player in Alaska.... KTVA spectrum bait? Another likely fate. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/17906-gray-tv-takes-over-cbs-in-anchorage-ak/#findComment-248429 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Technically A Director 164 Posted August 1, 2020 Share Posted August 1, 2020 So... they sold their CBS affiliation to Gray, but nothing else? How does that work? And, is the affiliate swap already complete with no advance warning? That seems like a small brain move at best. I've had a soft spot for KTVA since the earthquake a few years ago. I haven't checked up on them since, but I recall them having a rather destroyed newsroom and still produced what I thought was award winning coverage. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/17906-gray-tv-takes-over-cbs-in-anchorage-ak/#findComment-248430 Share on other sites More sharing options...
CubsFan79 58 Posted August 1, 2020 Share Posted August 1, 2020 I’m surprised that KTUU and Gray TV didn’t just stay with KTVA. Then Gray TV would have to sell KYES TV. The format for news would be Alaska News Now. Much like with KSFY and KDLT TV. With KTUU/KYES it’s now a NBC/CBS vs the ABC/FOX tv market in Alaska Gray now controls the NBC and CBS markets in the 49Th state. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/17906-gray-tv-takes-over-cbs-in-anchorage-ak/#findComment-248431 Share on other sites More sharing options...
nathannah 2446 Posted August 1, 2020 Share Posted August 1, 2020 7 minutes ago, CubsFan79 said: I’m surprised that KTUU and Gray TV didn’t just stay with KTVA. Then Gray TV would have to sell KYES TV. It's just faster and more efficient to assume non-license assets and IP than hassle with a COVID-hampered FCC at this point. Gray already had to deal with the Wyoming situation and does not want a repeat, and GCI has physical assets like cable headends and satellites (e.g. Time Warner/AT&T/WPCH) that would make a traditional sale/swap a major headache to deal with. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/17906-gray-tv-takes-over-cbs-in-anchorage-ak/#findComment-248433 Share on other sites More sharing options...
compubit 673 Posted August 1, 2020 Share Posted August 1, 2020 (edited) 13 minutes ago, CubsFan79 said: I’m surprised that KTUU and Gray TV didn’t just stay with KTVA. Then Gray TV would have to sell KYES TV. The format for news would be Alaska News Now. Much like with KSFY and KDLT TV. It’s probably just easier to move CBS (and the intellectual property to KYES/5. They may not have been able to purchase KTVA, as it’s top 4, and IIRC, KYES was purchased as a failing station... (Unless more rules have changed - I haven’t kept track of what they are today - vs. yesterday...) As for Spectrum bait, The auctions are over... ??? I’m sure Gray made GCI an offer they couldn’t refuse for the non-license assets... I could see them keeping 2 newsrooms/newscasts - one focused on Anchorage, and the other focused on Statewide content, particularly Southeast, as there is no local TV coverage in the area... Jim Edited August 1, 2020 by compubit Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/17906-gray-tv-takes-over-cbs-in-anchorage-ak/#findComment-248434 Share on other sites More sharing options...
C Block 1566 Posted August 1, 2020 Share Posted August 1, 2020 No matter what sort of regulatory gymnastics they're doing here, this is bad news for KTVA. GCI had deep pockets and basically handed KTVA a blank check to run their news department. It is/was a quality operation. At one point, I believe they had two helicopters and an airplane in order to cover the state. They also used to still send reporters on location to places far outside of the market. Seems like the writing's on the wall that deep cuts are ahead. 3 Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/17906-gray-tv-takes-over-cbs-in-anchorage-ak/#findComment-248435 Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkBRollins88_v2 350 Posted August 1, 2020 Share Posted August 1, 2020 This is just terrible news. KTVA is one of the most solid news operations out there and I really feel bad for their people. Their product is so far ahead of what is expected of a market that size. And their brand is respected and well renowned. I’m a little confused as to everything right now... these are my questions. 1. Does Gray have control of KTVA’s news department as of now? Or is it still GCI? 2. Is it still business as usual for the KTVA news department right now? Will they still be on at all their regular times? 3. Why so sudden? 4. Are KTVA’s newscasts going to air on the new CBS 5 now instead? 5. Is there more to come? Are we still waiting for some dominos to fall? Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/17906-gray-tv-takes-over-cbs-in-anchorage-ak/#findComment-248436 Share on other sites More sharing options...
DENDude 217 Posted August 1, 2020 Share Posted August 1, 2020 It sounds as if KYES is going to simulcast KTVA for a while until they get things up and going, then GCI will determine who to sell the KTVA non license assets to. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/17906-gray-tv-takes-over-cbs-in-anchorage-ak/#findComment-248437 Share on other sites More sharing options...
ABC 7 Denver 1717 Posted August 1, 2020 Share Posted August 1, 2020 31 minutes ago, DENDude said: It sounds as if KYES is going to simulcast KTVA for a while until they get things up and going, then GCI will determine who to sell the KTVA non license assets to. It's a bit weird that they're selling it the license and non-license assets separately. Also, how does Gray now own two of the four affiliates in the market? Or is this a loophole around that? KTVA was the news leader, right? So why is GCI content to lose that status? Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/17906-gray-tv-takes-over-cbs-in-anchorage-ak/#findComment-248440 Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJClementeFan69 477 Posted August 1, 2020 Share Posted August 1, 2020 I've got some oceanfront property in Arizona to sell anyone who thinks that Gray is going to keep the news operations separate. I don't even know why they try to lie about that anymore. It happens every time. 2 Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/17906-gray-tv-takes-over-cbs-in-anchorage-ak/#findComment-248441 Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewsMaster 226 Posted August 1, 2020 Share Posted August 1, 2020 (edited) Here's more from the Anchorage Daily News. On a related note, I wonder what impacts this will have on Southeast Alaska. Did Gray also acquire the CBS affiliation for Southeast Alaska as well, or does GCI still own it? I have a feeling we will know more once Gray's acquisition of KATH/KSCT closes, which I have a feeling will be followed by an acquisition of the CBS Southeast cluster (KTNL Sitka / KUBD Ketchikan / KXLJ Juneau). 49 minutes ago, ABC 7 Denver said: KTVA was the news leader, right? So why is GCI content to lose that status? KTUU has dominated Alaska news for as long as it's been around. Edited August 1, 2020 by NewsMaster 2 Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/17906-gray-tv-takes-over-cbs-in-anchorage-ak/#findComment-248442 Share on other sites More sharing options...
atlnews2 591 Posted August 1, 2020 Share Posted August 1, 2020 sad day for news in the state of Alaska. KTVA's new operation is top notch and produces a product that quite frankly puts the news operations of some stations in much larger markets to shame. You have to wonder why GCI decided to sell. They basically have a monopoly on cable TV and internet service in the state and in theory had the pockets to make the station profitable......if they couldn't return a profit on the station what is the state of commercial TV in this country? Local TV news might be looking at a similar situation that newspapers are facing. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/17906-gray-tv-takes-over-cbs-in-anchorage-ak/#findComment-248443 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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