Gray TV takes over CBS in Anchorage, AK

[JCB4TV 347]

Would it make sense for KTVA to take on the former KYES schedule, including MNT, until its final fate is decided.

[LTSC1980 112]

So both Wyoming and Alaska are becoming a market with Gray TV v. NewsNet, with NewsNet that unlikely to win. What a shame.

[JCB4TV 347]

13 minutes ago, LTSC1980 said:

So both Wyoming and Alaska are becoming a market with Gray TV v. NewsNet, with NewsNet that unlikely to win. What a shame.

Gray will now be the primary voice of reason in each of the five smallest states, by population, South Dakota, North Dakota, Alaska, Vermont, and Wyoming.

Edited August 2, 2020 by JCB4TV

[detroiter313 180]

3 hours ago, MarkBRollins88_v2 said:

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?

 

 

 

Those questions are more likely to be answered given this whole nature of this deal by Gray...

[TheRyan 560]

News Music Search Archive now shows Icon News in use on KYES.  So it would appear that maybe KTVA's newscasts have, in fact, moved over to KYES. 

 

The big question is now whether Gray allows KTUU and KYES (formerly CBS 11) to retain unique news departments.

 

This entire deal makes me really wish Nexstar got KTVA instead.  Even if they had bought both KTVA and KTUU, Nexstar would've at least kept both news brands.  

[ABC 7 Denver 1717]

43 minutes ago, TheRyan said:

News Music Search Archive now shows Icon News in use on KYES.  So it would appear that maybe KTVA's newscasts have, in fact, moved over to KYES. 

 

The big question is now whether Gray allows KTUU and KYES (formerly CBS 11) to retain unique news departments.

 

This entire deal makes me really wish Nexstar got KTVA instead.  Even if they had bought both KTVA and KTUU, Nexstar would've at least kept both news brands.  

 

Did Gray acquire the KTVA news department too? Or just the affiliation?

[TheRyan 560]

12 minutes ago, ABC 7 Denver said:

 

Did Gray acquire the KTVA news department too? Or just the affiliation?

 

Just the CBS affiliation.  But that entry on NMSA makes me think the (formerly) CBS 11 news dept has moved to KYES.

 

Per Wikipedia, KYES will simulcast on KTVA...for now. 

[AJClementeFan69 477]

1 hour ago, TheRyan said:

News Music Search Archive now shows Icon News in use on KYES.  So it would appear that maybe KTVA's newscasts have, in fact, moved over to KYES. 

 

The big question is now whether Gray allows KTUU and KYES (formerly CBS 11) to retain unique news departments.

 

This entire deal makes me really wish Nexstar got KTVA instead.  Even if they had bought both KTVA and KTUU, Nexstar would've at least kept both news brands.  

 

Won't happen. They may let them stay separate for about a year, and even claim that they intend to do so long-term, then they'll turn around and combine them to (ostensibly) create a "stronger" news operation. This has been their playbook every time. KYTV/KSPR, KSFY/KDLT, etc.

Edited August 2, 2020 by AJClementeFan69

[GoldenShine9 1513]

I'm not surprised GCI sold, but I didn't expect this. Gray is going to effectively have a monopoly on news in Alaska.

[GoldenShine9 1513]

I could see one unlikely scenario that preserves 2 operations: the ABC and Fox affiliations are essentially held by phantoms in the market. If someone else like Nexstar wanted to step in, they could gain the KTVA license, take those affiliations and keep things with 2 news operations?

[ABC 7 Denver 1717]

2 hours ago, TheRyan said:

 

Just the CBS affiliation.  But that entry on NMSA makes me think the (formerly) CBS 11 news dept has moved to KYES.

 

Per Wikipedia, KYES will simulcast on KTVA...for now. 

 

So is KTVA's news department going to be shut down?

[TheRyan 560]

45 minutes ago, ABC 7 Denver said:

 

So is KTVA's news department going to be shut down?

 

That isn't clear at the moment.  I hope the news dept is allowed to remain (actually I wish both are), though I'm not holding my breath much considering it's Gray.

Edited August 2, 2020 by TheRyan

[MarkBRollins88_v2 350]

6 hours ago, detroiter313 said:

Those questions are more likely to be answered given this whole nature of this deal by Gray...

What? 

[TheRyan 560]

2 hours ago, GoldenShine9 said:

I could see one unlikely scenario that preserves 2 operations: the ABC and Fox affiliations are essentially held by phantoms in the market. If someone else like Nexstar wanted to step in, they could gain the KTVA license, take those affiliations and keep things with 2 news operations?

 

I read an article from KTVA's website that said the parent company used someone to find a buyer but couldn't find one.

Quote

According to the press release, DMH had been working with an outside consultant to find a buyer but was unable to find one inside or outside of Alaska.

 

I'm really surprised that even Nexstar didn't buy.  Given that Mission is now buying WPIX, I would've thought that Nexstar would be free to buy a station like KTVA.   Very unfortunate of what is happening to KTVA.

[Rusty Muck 4378]

22 hours 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

It's a rip-off of the 1970s-era Meredith "5".

[CubsFan79 58]

To change the subject a little bit, Have we heard anything on Standard Media and WGBC TV/

[GoldenShine9 1513]

Admittedly based on the sound of that, they were literally stuck. Of the companies in buying moods, the only ones really interested in small markets are Gray and Nexstar. The latter probably was too concerned about the cap, while the former has lots of cap space but was already in the market. As a result, they had no real options.

[JCB4TV 347]

2 hours ago, GoldenShine9 said:

Admittedly based on the sound of that, they were literally stuck. Of the companies in buying moods, the only ones really interested in small markets are Gray and Nexstar. The latter probably was too concerned about the cap, while the former has lots of cap space but was already in the market. As a result, they had no real options.

I believe that Nexstar is in a holding pattern at this time until the WPIX issue is resolved as Nexstar would have to sell should the Mission deal fall though.

[ABC 7 Denver 1717]

4 hours ago, GoldenShine9 said:

Admittedly based on the sound of that, they were literally stuck. Of the companies in buying moods, the only ones really interested in small markets are Gray and Nexstar. The latter probably was too concerned about the cap, while the former has lots of cap space but was already in the market. As a result, they had no real options.

 

Why would Nexstar be concerned about the cap? They could sidecar every station in the country and still be considered 'under market cap'.

[Weeters 1916]

19 hours ago, TheRyan said:

News Music Search Archive now shows Icon News in use on KYES.  So it would appear that maybe KTVA's newscasts have, in fact, moved over to KYES. 

 

The big question is now whether Gray allows KTUU and KYES (formerly CBS 11) to retain unique news departments.

 

This entire deal makes me really wish Nexstar got KTVA instead.  Even if they had bought both KTVA and KTUU, Nexstar would've at least kept both news brands.  

The NMSA isn't some magic site that is 100% accurate. It's more than likely someone sent in a wild assumption and the operators just put it up since they are unable to verify it.

[SFTV 527]

CBS Weekend Evening News closed out with B-Roll footage crediting Anchorage, Alaska KTVA

[GoldenShine9 1513]

2 hours ago, ABC 7 Denver said:

 

Why would Nexstar be concerned about the cap? They could sidecar every station in the country and still be considered 'under market cap'.

 

They may be realizing that the WPIX move is a desperation move that likely won't work.

[ABC 7 Denver 1717]

42 minutes ago, GoldenShine9 said:

 

They may be realizing that the WPIX move is a desperation move that likely won't work.

 

I hope to god it doesn't, but I have an inherent distrust of Ajit Pai.

[johnnya2k6 171]

KTVA now independent after 66 years with CBS?! Maybe they could expand their news output, including the addition of a noon news and an hourlong 9:00 pm news (they would easily beat KTBY).

 

In Fairbanks, I can see KTVF going back to CBS, KFXF taking NBC, and KXDF becoming MyNetwork TV.

[Weeters 1916]

1 hour ago, johnnya2k6 said:

KTVA now independent after 66 years with CBS?! Maybe they could expand their news output, including the addition of a noon news and an hourlong 9:00 pm news (they would easily beat KTBY).

 

In Fairbanks, I can see KTVF going back to CBS, KFXF taking NBC, and KXDF becoming MyNetwork TV.

 

KTVA itself no longer has a news department. Everything but the license and transmitter now belongs to Gray. More than likely, the KTVA signal will go dark once it's fully integrated into KYES. KYES is essentially airing a news product named "KTVA 11 News" right now and simulcasting on Channel 11, from the way it's described in the announcement.