Local TV buying WGNT from CBS

[newsie 11]

WTKR-TV, Channel 3, has signed an agreement to purchase WGNT-TV, Channel 27, from the CBS Corp.

WGNT airs popular shows such as "Judge Judy" and "Judge Joe Brown" in the afternoons plus primetime programs developed by the CW Network for young viewers, including "90210," "Gossip Girl" and "The Vampire Diaries."

"WGNT is one of the strongest CW affiliates in the country and comes with heritage programming, call letters and channel position," said WTKR General Manager Jeff Hoffman, who will oversee the two stations.

"It's a very successful station with a successful block of programming so we're not going to take away from that. What we can do is broaden it with our news and public advocacy."

WTKR plans to introduce a newscast to the WGNT lineup, though Hoffman said those details have not been decided. WVBT-TV, Channel 43, sister station to WAVY-TV, Channel 10, airs a 10 p.m. newscast.

Sales and engineering staffs will be consolidated at WTKR's headquarters on Boush Street in Norfolk,with some WGNT positions to be eliminated, though Hoffman didn't know how many would take place. WGNT will keep its call letters and the new station will be promoted as "WGNT – Powered by NewsChannel 3."

Until the deal goes through, which needs FCC approval and is expected to take about 90 days, the two stations will operate jointly under what is known as a Local Marketing Agreement. The sale price was not announced.

http://www.dailypress.com/entertainment/dp-news-wtkr-20100614,0,2968639.story

 

 

[nbc9houston 22]

I wonder if Local TV, LLC would attempt to shift WGNT away from its CW branding, like sister company Tribune Broadcasting.

[newsguy22 59]

I wonder if Local TV, LLC would attempt to shift WGNT away from its CW branding, like sister company Tribune Broadcasting.

 

WGNT will keep its call letters and the new station will be promoted as "WGNT – Powered by NewsChannel 3."

[CLT-DCA-ORF-PTI 87]

This is interesting. Doesn't WGNT's Court Show Lineup beat NewsChannel 3's Newscasts? (Even more interesting as I am moving there in about 2 weeks...haha)

[WAVY 10 Fan 233]

Makes me curious as to whether WTKR will give newscasts on WGNT another try.

[newsguy22 59]

Makes me curious as to whether WTKR will give newscasts on WGNT another try.

 

That would be a yes... although nothing is final.

[tw-804 194]

WGNT will keep its call letters and the new station will be promoted as "WGNT – Powered by NewsChannel 3."

 

"WGNT - Powered by NewsChannel 3". Hmm, kinda rolls off the tongue.

[newsguy22 59]

This is interesting. Doesn't WGNT's Court Show Lineup beat NewsChannel 3's Newscasts? (Even more interesting as I am moving there in about 2 weeks...haha)

 

Welcome to the area!

[jero23 105]

Oh brother! I see CBS is still pushing the smaller market stations that are making more money than their larger market CW and CBS stations.

[WAVY 10 Fan 233]

VARTV is stating that as the duopoly was announced, half of the WGNT personnel was let go, with 10 more to possibly get the ax once technical operations are officially moved to WTKR's Boush Street headquarters.

 

http://vartv.com/

[newsie 11]

Sheesh. Sounds like this is putting a bad taste in WGNT's employees' mouths right about now.

 

WTKR will probably promote "Taking Action, Getting a Job" to those laid off.

[Ntropolis 599]

WTKR will probably promote "Taking Action, Getting a Job" to those laid off.

 

zing!

[jero23 105]

VARTV is stating that as the duopoly was announced, half of the WGNT personnel was let go, with 10 more to possibly get the ax once technical operations are officially moved to WTKR's Boush Street headquarters.

 

http://vartv.com/

 

Yeah, CBS could have kept that station considering how cheap Local TV is. They seem to always spell layoffs for station employees upon purchasing from their prior owners. You can bet that WGNT will go down the drain in ratings.

[Ntropolis 599]

You can bet that WGNT will go down the drain in ratings.

 

If they don't mess with the current lineup too much, the ratings should be fine. There is the possibility that they'll shift some of the higher-rated syndies to WTKR. Maybe putting Judge Judy at 7?

[jero23 105]

If they don't mess with the current lineup too much, the ratings should be fine. There is the possibility that they'll shift some of the higher-rated syndies to WTKR. Maybe putting Judge Judy at 7?

 

That's sad considering WTKR was in the toilet for nearly a decade and will use this to strip WGNT of its higher rated shows to secure its wobbly ratings.