BHC Communications

Last updated

BHC Communications, Inc.
FormerlyBHC, Incorporated
Type Public Subsidiary
AMEX: BHC [1]
Industry Broadcast television
Founded1977;46 years ago (1977)
DefunctJuly 31, 2001;22 years ago (2001-07-31)
FateSold to News Corporation
Successor Fox Television Stations
Key people
  • Herbert J. Siegel, Chairman/CEO
  • William Siegel, president (1996–2001)
Revenue$443.5 million (1997)
Parent Chris-Craft Industries
Divisions
  • United Sales Enterprises
  • PTEN
  • UPN (1995–2000)
Subsidiaries
Footnotes /references
[2] [3]

BHC Communications, Inc. was the holding company for the broadcast property of Chris-Craft Industries. BHC stands for "broadcasting holding company". [3]

Contents

History

The firm was originally incorporated in 1977 as BHC, Incorporated by Chris-Craft Industries to hold its two existing incorporated independent television stations, KCOP Television (KCOP in Los Angeles) and Oregon Television (KPTV in Portland, Oregon), within BHC's Chris-Craft Television subsidiary. That same year, Chris-Craft purchased a share of 20th Century Fox. In 1981, the 20th Century Fox share, then at 20 percent, was traded for 19% of United Television. [3] United owned three other television stations: independent KMSP-TV in Minneapolis, ABC affiliate KTVX in Salt Lake City, and NBC affiliate KMOL-TV (now WOAI-TV) in San Antonio.

Warner Communications, Inc. purchased a 42.5 percent share in BHC for $200 million in convertible preferred stock. With the Time, Inc./Warner Communications, Inc. merger into Time-Warner, Inc., BHC got a return of some stock held by Warner, cash, and Time Warner convertible preferred stock in Time Warner, a total of valued at $2.3 billion over a six-year period. With this settlement, BHC was reincorporated as BHC Communications, Inc. with stock restructured with two classes of stock giving Chris-Craft most of the voting power. Some BHC's shares were distributed to other Warner stockholders made it a publicly traded corporation. Some the payment were used to buy back BHC class A shares. WWOR-TV, an independent station (and national superstation) in the New York City area, was purchased in 1992 for $313 million. In 1995, United Sales Enterprises was formed to hand national spot advertising time for all BHC/United stations. [3]

Chris-Craft TV teamed up with MCA Television for a syndicated programming block, Hollywood Premiere Network, for only the 1990–1991 season. [4] In the early 1990s, BHC Television formed an alternative programming consortium, Prime Time Entertainment Network, with other station groups and Time Warner-owned Warner Bros. Domestic Television that was planned to expand into the fifth television network. [5]

In January 1995, BHC affiliated all of its stations, except the Salt Lake City and San Antonio outlets, with the newly launched United Paramount Network, which it fully owned and financed but ran with Paramount/Viacom, the network's producer. In December 1996, Paramount exercised its option to buy half of the Network by paying half of the losses ($160 million). Included in the deal was to continue selling UPN " Star Trek: Voyager " instead of placing it in syndication. [3]

In the late 1990s, BHC acquired two television stations, WHSW (now WUTB) in Baltimore, Maryland, and WRBW in Orlando, Florida, it resulted in the increase of BHC's number of television stations to ten.

In 1999, Viacom announced plans to merge with CBS Corporation. Because of a regulation upheld by the FCC years ago, prohibiting companies from owning two broadcast networks. Viacom's announcement raised questions regarding the future of Chris-Craft and Viacom's joint ownership of UPN. In Viacom and Chris-Craft's original agreement, two options for exiting the partnership had been determined—buying out the other partner or paying for what the partner had invested up to that date and providing funds for the future operation of UPN. Either option would cost Viacom substantial sums of money. Industry analysts agreed that Chris-Craft could emerge the winner and offered other possible scenarios—that Viacom might offer Chris-Craft some of its stations in exchange for severing the partnership or that Chris-Craft might sell Viacom's share to another company.

In 2000, a lawsuit was filed by BHC against the Viacom-CBS merger as BHC saw this as a breach of the UPN partnership. BHC lost the suit and sold its remaining ownership in UPN to Viacom for $5 million. Shortly thereafter, Chris-Craft announced that it was getting out of broadcasting after losing $500 million on UPN, the possibility of UPN shutting down or having their affiliation pulled. Many industry observers thought Viacom would end up getting the stations, but Viacom's bid lost out to News Corporation's Fox Television Stations, resulting in a sale which closed on July 31, 2001. [6] [2]

Former stations

(**) – indicates station built and signed-on by BHC Communications.

Stations formerly owned by BHC Communications [3]
City of license/Market Call sign ChannelYears ownedCurrent status
Phoenix, AZ KUTP**451985–2001 MyNetworkTV affiliate owned by Fox Television Stations
Los Angeles, CA KCOP-TV 131977–2001 [lower-alpha 1] MyNetworkTV affiliate owned by Fox Television Stations
San Francisco, CA KBHK-TV441983–2001 Independent KPYX owned by CBS News and Stations
Orlando, FL WRBW 651998–2001MyNetworkTV affiliate owned by Fox Television Stations
Baltimore, MD WUTB 241998–2001 TBD affiliate owned by Deerfield Media [lower-alpha 2]
Minneapolis–St. Paul, MN KMSP-TV 91981–2001 [lower-alpha 3] Fox owned-and-operated (O&O)
New York City, NY WWOR-TV 91992–2001MyNetworkTV affiliate owned by Fox Television Stations
Portland, OR KPTV 121977–2001 [lower-alpha 1] Fox affiliate owned by Gray Television
San Antonio, TX KMOL-TV41981–2001 [lower-alpha 3] NBC/The CW affiliate WOAI-TV owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group
Salt Lake City, UT KTVX 41981–2001 [lower-alpha 3] ABC affiliate owned by Nexstar Media Group
  1. 1 2 Owned directly by Chris-Craft prior to the formation of BHC in 1977.
  2. ↑ Operated by Sinclair Broadcast Group.
  3. 1 2 3 Owned by United Television prior to its merger with Chris-Craft in 1981.

United Television

United Television, Inc.
Type Subsidiary
Industry Broadcast television
Founded1956;67 years ago (1956)
Defunct2001;22 years ago (2001)
FateSold
Successor Fox Television Stations
Key people
John Siegel, Chairman (1996–2001)
ProductsTelevision Stations (4833)
Parent
  • Fox (?–1983)
  • BHC Communications (1983–2001)
Divisions United Television Sales

United Television was a corporation operating multiple television stations founded in 1956 to run station KMSP-TV in Minneapolis. In 1975, United purchased KTVX-TV, a Salt Lake City ABC affiliate, and KMOL-TV, a San Antonio NBC affiliate. Fox purchased an interest in the company making it a subsidiary, and in 1980, briefly consider purchasing NBC affiliate WRBT in Baton Rouge prior to the interest change in 1981. [7] In 1981, BHC/Chris-Craft traded its interest in 20th Century Fox to Marvin Davis and Marc Rich for a 19% interest in United. BHC upped its stake in United to 50.1 percent of common stock in 1983. A UHF station was acquired that same year in San Francisco. In the final quarter of 1985, United started a new UHF station in Phoenix, KUTP. Loaning its name to a network joint venture of its parent corporation BHC with Paramount Pictures, most of United stations switch programming to United Paramount Network.

In January 1998, United Television acquired a third UHF station in Baltimore for $80 million, changed its call letters to WUTB, and made the station a UPN affiliate. United, in October 1997, agreed to purchase WRBW (channel 65), a UHF station and UPN affiliate in Orlando, Florida, for $60 million and possible further considerations. [3] In April 1998, United took a minority stake in Bohbot Entertainment & Media. [8] 20th Century Fox later returned to interest in the broadcast industry when in 1986, it purchased 6 stations from Metromedia, which these stations became affiliated with Fox's new Fox Broadcasting Company, which was first aired in late 1986. Fox later reacquired United Television's stations as part of the acquisition of BHC by the latter in 2001.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">UPN</span> American television network (1995–2006)

The United Paramount Network (UPN) was an American broadcast television network that operated from 1995 to 2006. It was originally owned by Chris-Craft Industries' subsidiary, United Television. Viacom turned it into a joint venture in 1996 after acquiring a 50% stake in the network, and subsequently purchased Chris-Craft's remaining stake in 2000. On December 31, 2005, UPN was kept by CBS Corporation, which was the new name for Viacom when it split into two separate companies. On January 24, 2006, CBS Corporation and Time Warner jointly announced that the companies would shut down UPN and competitor The WB to launch a new joint venture network later that year. UPN ceased broadcasting on September 15, 2006, with The WB following two days later. Select programs from both networks moved to the new network, The CW, when it launched on September 18, 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prime Time Entertainment Network</span> American television network

The Prime Time Entertainment Network (PTEN) was an American television network that was operated by the Prime Time Consortium, a joint venture between the Warner Bros. Domestic Television subsidiary of Time Warner and Chris-Craft Industries. First launched on January 20, 1993, and operating until 1997, the network mainly aired drama programs aimed at adults between the ages of 18 and 54. At its peak, PTEN's programming was carried on 177 television stations, covering 93% of the country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KMSP-TV</span> Fox TV station in Minneapolis

KMSP-TV is a television station licensed to Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, serving as the Fox network outlet for the Twin Cities area. It is owned and operated by the network's Fox Television Stations division alongside MyNetworkTV station WFTC. The two stations share studios on Viking Drive in Eden Prairie; KMSP-TV's transmitter is located in Shoreview, Minnesota.

Chris-Craft Industries, Inc., formerly National Automotive Fibers, Inc., was a publicly held American corporation that was traded on the New York and Pacific Stock Exchanges. In 1962, the company adopted the name of one of its acquisitions, Chris-Craft Boats, which was founded in the late 19th century and became famous for mahogany-hulled powerboats in the 1920s through the 1950s. Chris-Craft Industries also went into broadcasting, owning television stations via its subsidiary BHC Communications and co-founding the UPN TV network.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KUTP</span> MyNetworkTV station in Phoenix

KUTP, branded on-air as Fox 10 Xtra, is a television station in Phoenix, Arizona, United States, broadcasting the MyNetworkTV programming service. It is owned and operated by Fox Television Stations alongside Fox outlet KSAZ-TV. Both stations share studios on West Adams Street in Downtown Phoenix, while KUTP's transmitter is located atop South Mountain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fox Television Stations</span> Television station division of Fox

Fox Television Stations, LLC, also known as FTS and Fox Television Stations Group, LLC, is a group of television stations in the United States owned-and-operated by the Fox Broadcasting Company, a subsidiary of the Fox Corporation.

WFTC is a television station licensed to Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, broadcasting the MyNetworkTV programming service to the Twin Cities area. It is owned and operated by Fox Television Stations alongside Fox outlet KMSP-TV. Both stations share studios on Viking Drive in Eden Prairie, while WFTC's transmitter is located in Shoreview, Minnesota.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KPYX</span> Independent TV station in San Francisco

KPYX, branded on-air as KPIX+, is an independent television station licensed to San Francisco, California, United States, serving the San Francisco Bay Area. It is owned by the CBS News and Stations group alongside CBS owned-and-operated station KPIX-TV, also licensed to San Francisco. Both stations share studios at Broadway and Battery Street, just north of San Francisco's Financial District, while KPYX's transmitter is located atop Sutro Tower.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WOAI-TV</span> NBC/CW affiliate in San Antonio

WOAI-TV is a television station in San Antonio, Texas, United States, affiliated with NBC and The CW. It is owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group alongside Fox affiliate KABB ; Sinclair also provides certain services to Kerrville-licensed Dabl affiliate KMYS under joint sales and shared services agreements with Deerfield Media. The stations share studios between Babcock Road and Sovereign Drive in northwest San Antonio, while WOAI-TV's transmitter is located in northwest Wilson County.

KTXH, branded on-air as My 20 Vision, is a television station in Houston, Texas, United States, serving as the local outlet for the MyNetworkTV programming service. It is owned and operated by Fox Television Stations alongside Fox outlet KRIV. Both stations share studios on Southwest Freeway in Houston, while KTXH's transmitter is located near Missouri City, Texas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KPTV</span> Fox affiliate in Portland, Oregon

KPTV is a television station in Portland, Oregon, United States. affiliated with the Fox network. It is owned by Gray Television alongside Vancouver, Washington–licensed MyNetworkTV affiliate KPDX. Both stations share studios on NW Greenbrier Parkway in Beaverton, while KPTV's transmitter is located in the Sylvan-Highlands section of Portland.

WUTB is a television station in Baltimore, Maryland, United States, airing programming from the digital multicast network TBD. It is owned by Deerfield Media, which maintains a shared services agreement (SSA) with Sinclair Broadcast Group, owner of Fox/MyNetworkTV affiliate WBFF, for the provision of certain services. Sinclair also operates CW affiliate WNUV under a separate local marketing agreement (LMA) with Cunningham Broadcasting. However, Sinclair effectively owns WNUV as the majority of Cunningham's stock is owned by the family of deceased group founder Julian Smith. The stations share studios on 41st Street off the Jones Falls Expressway in the Woodberry neighborhood of north Baltimore. Through a channel sharing agreement, WUTB and WBFF transmit using the latter station's spectrum from an antenna adjacent to the studios.

WUPL is a television station licensed to Slidell, Louisiana, United States, serving the New Orleans area as an affiliate of MyNetworkTV. It is owned by Tegna Inc. alongside CBS affiliate WWL-TV. Both stations share studios on Rampart Street in the historic French Quarter district, while WUPL's transmitter is located on Cooper Road in Terrytown, Louisiana.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WRBW</span> MyNetworkTV station in Orlando, Florida

WRBW, branded on-air as Fox 35 Plus, is a television station in Orlando, Florida, United States, serving as the local outlet for the MyNetworkTV programming service. It is owned and operated by Fox Television Stations alongside Fox outlet WOFL. Both stations share studios on Skyline Drive in Lake Mary, while WRBW's transmitter is located in unincorporated Bithlo, Florida.

KCOP-TV is a television station in Los Angeles, California, United States, serving as the West Coast flagship of MyNetworkTV. It is owned and operated by Fox Television Stations alongside Fox outlet KTTV. Both stations share studios at the Fox Television Center located in West Los Angeles, while KCOP-TV's transmitter is located atop Mount Wilson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paramount Stations Group</span> American television station group (1991–2001)

Paramount Stations Group, Inc. was a company that controlled a group of American broadcast television stations. The company existed from 1991 until 2001.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2006 United States broadcast television realignment</span> Outline of events surrounding the launches of The CW and MyNetworkTV

In January 2006, the United States' two "second-tier" television networks, UPN and The WB, announced they would both cease operations on September 15 and 17 respectively, and their operations would be transferred to a new joint-venture "fifth" network, The CW. Meanwhile, Fox Television Stations signed up with MyNetworkTV, a new "sixth" network owned by then-parent company News Corporation's Fox Entertainment Group.

CBS News and Stations is a division of the CBS Entertainment Group unit of Paramount Global that owns and operates a group of American television stations along with CBS News. As of January 2021, the division owns 28 stations: 14 are the core stations of the CBS television network, thirteen independent stations, and one primary-channel affiliate of the digital subchannel network Start TV. It also maintains a half-interest in Start TV, which is co-owned with Weigel Broadcasting.

In the United States, owned-and-operated television stations constitute only a portion of their parent television networks' station bodies, due to ownership limits imposed by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Currently, the total number of television stations owned by any company can only reach a maximum of 39% of all U.S. households; in the past, the ownership limit was much lower, and was determined by a specific number of television stations rather than basing the limits on total market coverage.

In American television terminology, a fourth network is a reference to a fourth commercial broadcast (over-the-air) television network, as opposed to the Big Three television networks that dominated U.S. television from the 1950s to the 1980s: ABC, CBS and NBC.

References

  1. ↑ "SEC".
  2. 1 2 "Fox Entertainment Group Inc. 2001 Annual Report". EDGAR. Fox Entertainment Group. September 28, 2001. p. 6. Retrieved May 31, 2013.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "History of BHC Communications, Inc". Funding Universe. Retrieved July 20, 2009.
  4. ↑ "MCA TV Spins The Bottle". Variety. April 10, 1995. Retrieved April 6, 2017.
  5. ↑ King, Susan (January 23, 1994). "Space, 2258, in the Year 1994". Los Angeles Times. p. 4. Retrieved June 25, 2009.
  6. ↑ Hofmeister, Sallie (August 12, 2000). "News Corp. to Buy Chris-Craft Parent for $5.5 Billion, Outbidding Viacom". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 23, 2011.
  7. ↑ "WRBT May be Sold to 20th Century Fox," State Times Advocate, Baton Rouge, LA, November 15, 1980, Page 12-A
  8. ↑ Freeman, Michael (April 13, 1998). "Bohbot financial report discloses Chris-Craft stake". Mediaweek. Archived from the original on March 14, 2014. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.