Media General

Last updated

Media General, Inc.
Company type Public
NYSE: MEG
Industry Broadcast and Digital
Predecessor Park Communications
Spartan Communications
Young Broadcasting
LIN Media
Founded1940;84 years ago (1940)
DefunctJanuary 17, 2017;7 years ago (2017-01-17)
FateMerged with Nexstar Broadcasting Group
Successor BH Media (newspaper assets only)
Nexstar Media Group (television assets only)
Headquarters Richmond, Virginia
New York, New York
Austin, Texas
Key people
Warren Buffett (Financier)
Mario Gabelli (Financier)
J. Stewart Bryan III (Chairman)
Vincent L. Sadusky
(President and CEO)
Deborah A. McDermott
(Chief Operating Officer)
James F. Woodward
(Chief Financial Officer)
Products Television
Internet
Newspaper
Revenue$1.305 B USD (2015)

Media General was an American media company based in Richmond, Virginia. The company's origins can be traced back to 1887 when Richmond attorney Joseph Bryan acquired The Richmond Daily Times, which later became The Richmond Times-Dispatch . [1] Joseph Bryan's son, John Stewart Bryan succeeded his father as owner and publisher of the Times-Dispatch, which merged with The Richmond News Leader in 1940 to form Richmond Newspapers, Inc.

Contents

After John Stewart Bryan's death in 1944, his son, D. Tennant Bryan led the company into a period of expansion into television, changing the company's name to Media General in 1969. [2] Media General, Inc. began trading on the American Stock Exchange in 1970. [2]

In 1990, J. Stewart Bryan III, great-grandson of Joseph Bryan, became chairman, president and chief executive officer of Media General. The fourth-generation Bryan oversaw the company's expansion into digital media and the sale of Media General's newspaper division to Berkshire Hathaway in 2012. J. Stewart Bryan III remained chairman of Media General until his death on January 23, 2016. [3]

In 2013 and 2014, Media General expanded significantly through mergers with Young Broadcasting and LIN Media. After the latter merger, LIN Media CEO Vincent L. Sadusky became chief executive officer of Media General while former Young Broadcasting CEO Deborah A. McDermott led station operations as Chief Operating Officer. [4] Long-time Media General CFO James F. Woodward remained as Chief Financial Officer [5] until the company's dissolution in 2017.

On January 11, 2017, the FCC approved the sale of Media General to Nexstar Broadcasting Group for $4.6 billion. [6]

History

The conglomeration of newspapers was founded in 1940 when owners of Richmond, Virginia's two newspapers, the Times-Dispatch and News Leader , merged them to form Richmond Newspapers, Inc. In 1966, it purchased a majority interest in the Tampa Tribune , which included WFLA-AM-FM-TV in Tampa, making that the company's first ever foray into television, a strategy that was later used by such acquisition practices. [7] In 1969, as the company's media properties grew and diversified, it was renamed Media General.

Additional acquisitions

In 1981, the company began its expansion practice of television stations under the Media General Telecommunications subsidiary. It first purchased WJKS-TV in Jacksonville from Ziff-Davis Broadcasting on December 7, 1981, for $18 million, the sale was approved on November 8, 1982. [8] [9] On July 5, 1982, the company bought out WCBD-TV in Charleston from the State Telecasting Company for $8 million, the deal was approved on January 24, 1983. [10] [11]

In 1982 the company acquired The William B. Tanner Company (previously known as Pepper-Tanner), a commercial radio jingle production company headquartered in Memphis. It was divested in 1988. In 1987, Media General, which included its Media General Broadcast Group comprising three television stations at that time, as well as its cable systems in various areas was sold off to a group led by The Giant Group, a firm owned by Burt Sugarman, which purchased a stake for $103.8 million, with backing also held by television production company Barris Industries. [12]

In 1996, Media General acquired Park Acquisitions, the holding company for Park Communications, formerly owned by the media entrepreneur Roy H. Park. [13]

In 1999, Media General bought Spartanburg-based Spartan Communications, which increased Media General's station portfolio from 14 to 27. [14]

Four NBC-owned stations in smaller markets were put up for sale on January 9, 2006. On April 6, NBC Owned Television Stations and Media General announced that the latter would purchase the four NBC O&O's as part of a $600 million four-station deal between the two companies.

Divestment of properties in the late 2000s

On July 28, 2006, Media General announced that they would sell KWCH-TV and its satellites to a Schurz Communications-affiliated company Sunflower Broadcasting for $73 million. [15] On August 2, 2006, Media General announced that it would sell WIAT and KIMT to New Vision Television for $35 million; the sale was finalized on October 12, 2006. Between 2006 and 2008, Morris Network, a division of Morris Multimedia bought out two station properties, WDEF and WTVQ, the former's price for WDEF cost $22 million, and the latter's price for WTVQ-TV cost $16.5 million, totaling up a $38.5 million budget for the combined two stations. [16] [17]

On October 29, 2007, Media General announced that the company was exploring the sale of WCWJ, KALB-TV, WMBB, and WNEG-TV. On March 14, 2008, the company reached an agreement to sell KALB and WMBB to Hoak Media. The deal was closed on July 16. On June 25, 2008, Media General announced the sale of WNEG-TV to the University of Georgia. [18] On January 28, 2009, Nexstar Broadcasting Group announced that it had reached an agreement to purchase WCWJ. The deal was finalized on May 1, 2009.

2010s: Expansions, mergers with Young Broadcasting and LIN Media

On June 6, 2013, Young Broadcasting announced that it would merge with Media General. [19] On November 8, the FCC approved the merger. [20] The merger closed on November 12. [21] Following the merger, the new company was owned 67.5 percent by Young shareholders and 32.5 percent by Media General shareholders. [22] The combined company owned 30 stations, reaching 14% of the United States. [23] and continued to operate as Media General. Headquarters would remain in Richmond, Virginia, however, for the first time in over a century, the Bryan Family would not have a controlling interest in the company. [24]

On March 21, 2014, Media General and LIN Media announced that the two companies would merge. The deal, worth an estimated $1.6 billion, would create an entity of 71 stations with a combined reach of 24% of U.S. television households. 45 Media General staff members were laid off; CEO George Mahoney stepped down in favor of his LIN counterpart Vincent Sadusky. [25] In order to comply with FCC ownership rules as well as planned changes to rules regarding same-market television stations which would prohibit future joint sales agreements, some of the stations would be sold to several other companies in five markets (Birmingham, Green Bay, Mobile, Providence and Savannah) where both groups already own stations. [26] [27] [28]

On August 20, 2014, Media General and LIN Media announced several sales. Media General sold WJAR, WLUK, WTGS and WCWF to the Sinclair Broadcast Group in exchange for Sinclair's KXRM, KXTU, WHTM and WTTA. Although the WHTM sale was discussed two months earlier, it was completed in September 2014, the rest of the transactions would not come into effect until the deal was completed. [29] [30] Hearst Television acquired WVTM and WJCL, and Meredith Corporation acquired WALA. [31] On October 6, the two companies' shareholders approved the deal, [32] and the FCC approved the deal on December 12. [33] The merger was completed on December 19. [34] A condition of the deal requires Media General to end the joint sales and shared services agreements it has with stations in Youngstown, Ohio, Dayton, Ohio, and Topeka, Kansas, due to tighter scrutiny such deals are getting by the FCC. Media General received a two-year waiver in those markets to end the JSAs and SSAs. [35]

On July 14, 2015, Media General pulled its stations off of Mediacom cable systems across the United States due to a carriage dispute over retransmission consent fees. [36] This carriage dispute saw Media General stations disappear from Mediacom lineups in 14 television markets across the United States and even three of the Fox affiliates owned by Media General were lost to Mediacom subscribers in Hampton Roads, Virginia, Terre Haute, Indiana, and Topeka, Kansas just before the start of the 2015 Major League Baseball All-Star Game. [37] On July 30, 2015, Mediacom and Media General reached a new agreement, thereby restoring Media General owned stations to Mediacom subscribers in the affected areas. [38]

On July 13, 2016, the FCC issued a $700,000 fine against Media General for using a shared services agreement with WAGT to prevent its new owner Gray Television from divesting it in the spectrum incentive auction. [39]

Aborted merger with Meredith; acquisition by Nexstar

On September 8, 2015, it was announced that Media General would acquire Meredith Corporation in a cash and stock deal valued at $2.4 billion. Pending regulatory and shareholder approval, the deal was expected to be consummated in June 2016. The combined company was to be known as Meredith Media General, and become the third-largest owner of television stations in the United States—serving an estimated 30% of households. In order to comply with FCC regulations, some stations would have been sold to other companies in six markets where both groups already own stations (Greenville-Spartanburg, Hartford-New Haven, Mobile, Nashville, Portland (OR) and Springfield (MA)). Media General shareholders would have controlled 65% of the company, with Meredith shareholders holding 35%. [40]

On September 28, it was revealed that Nexstar Broadcasting Group had made an unsolicited cash-and-stock offer for Media General, valued at $14.50 per-share. Following the announcement, Media General shareholders Oppenheimer Holdings (7% stake) and Starboard Capital (4.5% stake) opposed the Meredith merger in favor of selling to Nexstar. On October 6, 2015, the New York Post speculated that the deal had been called off, believing that the deal was unlikely to receive further shareholder support due to these objections. Both companies have denied that this was the case, and reported that other major shareholders were backing the merger. [41] [42] Media General hired additional firms to evaluate the Nexstar bid. [43] On November 16, Media General rejected the offer but agreed to negotiate after concluding its merger with Meredith. [44]

On January 27, 2016, Media General announced that it had entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Nexstar in a deal valued at $17.14 per-share, valuing the company at $4.6 billion plus the assumption of $2.3 billion debt. The combined company will be known as Nexstar Media Group, and own 171 stations, serving an estimated 39% of households. The company will pay Meredith a termination fee of $60 million, and give Meredith right of first refusal to acquire any broadcast or digital properties that may be divested during the merger (a clause that Meredith did not exercise). The deal also includes contingent value rights for Media General shareholders if it sells spectrum from its stations during the FCC's spectrum incentive auction. [45] [46]

The transaction was approved on January 11, 2017, [6] with the sale consummated six days later, on January 17. [47]

Former assets

Newspapers

On May 17, 2012, it was announced that investment company Berkshire Hathaway would be acquiring Media General's newspaper division (excluding The Tampa Tribune ). The newspapers were planned to be merged into Berkshire Hathaway's World Media Enterprises division, a sister company of its other newspaper holdings under the Omaha World-Herald . [48] The deal closed June 25, 2012. [49] Media General's chairman and former CEO, J. Stewart Bryan III said the company faced a choice: either sell its newspaper division or file for bankruptcy protection. The latter, he said, was "unacceptable." [50] At the end of 2011, Media General had $658 million in debt. [51] In October 2012, The Tampa Tribune and its associated print and digital products were acquired by Tampa Media Group, Inc., a new company formed by Revolution Capital Group. [52]

Major newspapers

Community newspapers

Alabama

Florida

North Carolina

South Carolina

  • The Morning News (Florence) Daily Newspaper for Florence and the Pee Dee Region
  • The News and Post (Lake City)   Weekly
  • The Marion Star (Marion)  Weekly
  • The Weekly Observer (Hemingway)  Weekly
  • The Hartsville Messenger  Weekly

Virginia

Television stations

Stations are arranged in alphabetical order by state and city of license.

City of license / Market StationChannelYears ownedCurrent status
BirminghamTuscaloosaAnniston, AL WBMG/WIAT 421997–2006, [a]
2014–2017 [b]
CBS affiliate owned by Nexstar Media Group
WVTM-TV 132006–2014 [c] NBC affiliate owned by Hearst Television
Montgomery, AL WNCF 321997–1999 [a] ABC affiliate owned by SagamoreHill Broadcasting [d]
Mobile, ALPensacola, FL WKRG-TV 52000–2017 [e] CBS affiliate owned by Nexstar Media Group
WFNA 552014–2017 [b] The CW outlet owned-and-operated by Nexstar Media Group
San Francisco, CA KRON-TV 42013–2017 [f] The CW outlet owned-and-operated by Nexstar Media Group
Colorado SpringsPueblo, CO KXRM-TV 212014–2017 Fox affiliate owned by Nexstar Media Group
KXTU-LD 572014–2017 The CW outlet owned-and-operated by Nexstar Media Group
New HavenHartford, CT WTNH 82014–2017 [b] ABC affiliate owned by Nexstar Media Group
WCTX 592014–2017 [b] MyNetworkTV affiliate owned by Nexstar Media Group
Jacksonville, FL WJKS-TV/
WJWB/
WCWJ
171982–2009The CW affiliate owned by Graham Media Group
Panama City, FL WMBB 132000–2008 [e] ABC affiliate owned by Nexstar Media Group
TampaSt. Petersburg, FL WFLA-TV/
WXFL/
WFLA-TV **
81965–2017NBC affiliate owned by Nexstar Media Group
WTTA 382014–2017 The CW owned-and-operated station/MyNetworkTV by Nexstar Media Group
Augusta, GA WJBF 62000–2017 [e] ABC affiliate owned by Nexstar Media Group
WAGT 262010–2016 [g] Defunct, license cancelled in 2017. [h]
Columbus, GA WRBL 32000–2017 [e] CBS affiliate owned by Nexstar Media Group
Savannah, GA WSAV-TV 31997–2017NBC affiliate owned by Nexstar Media Group
Toccoa, GA WNEG-TV322000–2008 [e] MeTV affiliate WGTA, owned by Marquee Broadcasting
Honolulu, HI KHON-TV 22014–2017 [b] Fox affiliate owned by Nexstar Media Group
Hilo, HI KHAW-TV [A] 112014–2017 [b] Fox affiliate owned by Nexstar Media Group
Wailuku, HI KAII-TV [A] 72014–2017 [b] Fox affiliate owned by Nexstar Media Group
Fort Wayne, IN WANE-TV 152014–2017 [b] CBS affiliate owned by Nexstar Media Group
IndianapolisMarion, IN WISH-TV 82014–2017 [b] The CW affiliate owned by Circle City Broadcasting
WNDY-TV 232014–2017 [b] MyNetworkTV affiliate owned by Circle City Broadcasting
WIIH-CD [B] 172014–2017 [b] GetTV affiliate owned by Circle City Broadcasting
West Lafayette, IN WLFI-TV 182014–2017 [b] CBS affiliate owned by Allen Media Broadcasting
Terre Haute, IN WTHI-TV 102014–2017 [b] CBS affiliate owned by Allen Media Broadcasting
Davenport, IAMoline, IL KWQC-TV 62013–2017 [f] NBC affiliate owned by Gray Television
Mason City, IARochester, MN KIMT 32000–2006, [e]
2014–2017 [b]
CBS affiliate owned by Allen Media Broadcasting
Topeka, KS KSNT 272014–2017 [b] NBC affiliate owned by Nexstar Media Group
KTMJ-CD 432014–2017 [b] Fox affiliate owned by Nexstar Media Group
KTKA-TV 492014–2017 [i] ABC affiliate owned by Vaughan Media [j]
WichitaHutchinson, KS KWCH-TV 122000–2006 [e] CBS affiliate owned by Gray Television
KSNW 32014–2017 [b] NBC affiliate owned by Nexstar Media Group
EnsignDodge City, KS KBSD-TV [C] 62000–2006 [e] CBS affiliate owned by Gray Television
Garden City, KS KSNG [D] 112014–2017 [b] NBC affiliate owned by Nexstar Media Group
Goodland, KS KBSL-TV [C] 102000–2006 [e] CBS affiliate owned by Gray Television
Great Bend, KS KSNC [D] 22014–2017 [b] NBC affiliate owned by Nexstar Media Group
Hays, KS KBSH-TV [C] 72000–2006 [e] CBS affiliate owned by Gray Television
Salina, KS KSNL-LD [D] 472014–2017 [b] NBC affiliate owned by Nexstar Media Group
McCook, NE KSNK [D] 82014–2017 [b] NBC affiliate owned by Nexstar Media Group
Lexington, KY WTVQ-TV 361997–2008 [a] ABC affiliate owned by Morris Multimedia [53]
Alexandria, LA KALB-TV 51997–2008 [a] NBC affiliate owned by Gray Television
Lafayette, LA KLFY-TV 102013–2017 [f] CBS affiliate owned by Nexstar Media Group
Springfield, MA WWLP 222014–2017 [b] NBC affiliate owned by Nexstar Media Group
WFXQ-CD [E] 282014–2017 [b] NBC affiliate owned by Nexstar Media Group
Grand Rapids, MI WOOD-TV 82014–2017 [b] NBC affiliate owned by Nexstar Media Group
WXSP-CD 152014–2017 [b] MyNetworkTV affiliate owned by Nexstar Media Group
Battle Creek, MI WOTV 412014–2017 [b] ABC affiliate owned by Nexstar Media Group
Lansing, MI WLNS-TV 62013–2017 [f] CBS affiliate owned by Nexstar Media Group
WLAJ 532013–2017 [k] ABC affiliate owned by Mission Broadcasting [j]
Jackson, MS WJTV 121997–2017CBS affiliate owned by Nexstar Media Group
HattiesburgLaurel, MS WHLT [F] 221997–2017CBS affiliate owned by Nexstar Media Group
AlbuquerqueSanta Fe, NM KRQE 132014–2017 [b] CBS affiliate owned by Nexstar Media Group
KASA-TV 22014–2017 [b] Telemundo owned-and-operated (O&O)
KWBQ 292014–2017 [l] The CW affiliate owned by Mission Broadcasting [j]
KASY-TV 502014–2017 [l] MyNetworkTV affiliate owned by Mission Broadcasting [j]
Roswell, NM KBIM-TV [G] 102014–2017 [b] CBS affiliate owned by Nexstar Media Group
KRWB-TV [H] 212014–2017 [l] The CW affiliate owned by Mission Broadcasting [j]
Durango, CO KREZ-TV [G] 62014–2017 [b] CBS affiliate owned by Nexstar Media Group
AlbanySchenectadyTroy, NY WTEN 102013–2017 [f] ABC affiliate owned by Nexstar Media Group
WXXA-TV 232013–2017 [k] Fox affiliate owned by Mission Broadcasting [j]
Adams, MA WCDC-TV [I] 192013–2017 [f] Defunct, license cancelled in 2018.
Buffalo, NY WIVB-TV 42014–2017 [b] CBS affiliate owned by Nexstar Media Group
WNLO 232014–2017 [b] The CW outlet owned-and-operated by Nexstar Media Group
Utica, NY WUTR 201997 [a] ABC affiliate owned by Mission Broadcasting [j]
GreenvilleNew BernWashington, NC WNCT-TV 91997–2017 [a] CBS affiliate owned by Nexstar Media Group
RaleighDurhamFayetteville, NC WNCN 172006–2017 [c] CBS affiliate owned by Nexstar Media Group
Columbus, OH WCMH-TV 42006–2017 [c] NBC affiliate owned by Nexstar Media Group
DaytonSpringfield, OH WDTN 22014–2017 [b] NBC affiliate owned by Nexstar Media Group
WBDT 262014–2017 [i] The CW affiliate owned by Vaughan Media [j]
Youngstown, OH WYFX-LD 192014–2017 [b] Fox affiliate owned by Nexstar Media Group
WKBN-TV 272014–2017 [b] CBS affiliate owned by Nexstar Media Group
WYTV 332014–2017 [i] ABC affiliate owned by Vaughan Media [j]
Portland, OR KOIN 62014–2017 [b] CBS affiliate owned by Nexstar Media Group
Harrisburg, PA WHTM-TV 272014–2017ABC affiliate owned by Nexstar Media Group
Providence, RINew Bedford, MA WJAR 102006–2014 [c] NBC affiliate owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group
WPRI-TV 122014–2017 [b] CBS affiliate owned by Nexstar Media Group
WNAC-TV 642014–2017 [m] Fox affiliate owned by Mission Broadcasting [n]
Charleston, SC WCBD-TV 21983–2017NBC affiliate owned by Nexstar Media Group
FlorenceMyrtle Beach, SC WBTW 132000–2017 [e] CBS affiliate owned by Nexstar Media Group
GreenvilleSpartanburg, SC WSPA-TV 72000–2017 [e] CBS affiliate owned by Nexstar Media Group
WASV-TV/WYCW 622002–2017 The CW outlet owned-and-operated by Nexstar Media Group
Sioux Falls, SD KELO-TV 112013–2017 [f] CBS affiliate owned by Nexstar Media Group
FrorenceAberdeen, SD KDLO-TV [J] 32013–2017 [f] CBS affiliate owned by Nexstar Media Group
ReliancePierre, SD KPLO-TV [J] 62013–2017 [f] CBS affiliate owned by Nexstar Media Group
Rapid City, SD KCLO-TV [J] 162013–2017 [f] CBS affiliate owned by Nexstar Media Group
Chattanooga, TN WDEF-TV 121997–2006 [a] CBS affiliate owned by Morris Multimedia
Knoxville, TN WATE-TV 62013–2017 [f] ABC affiliate owned by Nexstar Media Group
Nashville, TN WKRN-TV 22013–2017 [f] ABC affiliate owned by Nexstar Media Group
Tri-CitiesJohnson City, TN WJHL-TV 111997–2017 [a] CBS affiliate owned by Nexstar Media Group
Austin, TX KXAN-TV 362014–2017 [b] NBC affiliate owned by Nexstar Media Group
KNVA 542014–2017 [i] The CW affiliate owned by Vaughan Media [n]
KBVO-CD [K] 512014–2017 [b] MyNetworkTV affiliate owned by Nexstar Media Group
Llano, TX KBVO 142014–2017 [b] MyNetworkTV affiliate owned by Nexstar Media Group
NorfolkPortsmouthNewport News, VA WAVY-TV 102014–2017 [b] NBC affiliate owned by Nexstar Media Group
WVBT 432014–2017 [b] Fox affiliate owned by Nexstar Media Group
RichmondPetersburg, VA WRIC-TV 82013–2017 [f] ABC affiliate owned by Nexstar Media Group
RoanokeLynchburg, VA WSLS-TV 101997–2017 [a] NBC affiliate owned by Graham Media Group
Green BayAppleton, WI WBAY-TV 22013–2017 [f] ABC affiliate owned by Gray Television
  1. 1 2 Satellite of KHON-TV.
  2. Translator of WISH-TV.
  3. 1 2 3 Satellite of KWCH-TV.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Satellite of KSNW.
  5. Translator of WWLP.
  6. Semi-satellite of WJTV.
  7. 1 2 Satellite of KRQE.
  8. Satellite of KWBQ.
  9. Satellite of WTEN.
  10. 1 2 3 Satellite of KELO-TV.
  11. Translator of KBVO.
  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Acquired from Park Communications.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 Acquired from LIN Media.
  3. 1 2 3 4 Acquired from NBC Owned Television Stations.
  4. Operated through an SSA by Bahakel Communications.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Acquired from Spartan Communications.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Acquired from Young Broadcasting.
  7. Owned by Schurz Communications and operated by Media General under an SSA.
  8. Intellectual unit transferred to a Gray-owned license, WAGT-CD.
  9. 1 2 3 4 Owned by Vaughan Media and operated by Media General through a local marketing agreement.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Operated through an SSA by Nexstar Media Group.
  11. 1 2 Owned by Shield Media and operated by Media General through an SSA.
  12. 1 2 3 Owned by Tamer Media, LLC and operated by Media General through a SSA.
  13. Owned by Super Towers and operated by Media General through an LMA.
  14. 1 2 Operated through an LMA by Nexstar Media Group.

Other assets

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WKRG-TV</span> CBS affiliate in Mobile, Alabama

WKRG-TV is a television station licensed to Mobile, Alabama, United States, serving southwest Alabama and northwest Florida as an affiliate of CBS. It is owned by Nexstar Media Group alongside Gulf Shores, Alabama–licensed CW owned-and-operated station WFNA. The two stations share studios with several radio stations owned by iHeartMedia on Broadcast Drive in southwest Mobile; WKRG-TV's transmitter is located in unincorporated Baldwin County near Spanish Fort, Alabama.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">LIN Media</span> Defunct American communications company

LIN Media was an American holding company founded in 1994 that operated 43 television stations. All except one were affiliates of the six major U.S. television networks. One of the remaining stations was a low-powered weather station in Indiana.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WFNA (TV)</span> CW TV station in Gulf Shores, Alabama

WFNA is a television station licensed to Gulf Shores, Alabama, United States, serving as the CW outlet for southwest Alabama and northwest Florida. It is owned and operated by network majority owner Nexstar Media Group alongside Mobile-licensed CBS affiliate WKRG-TV. The two stations share studios with several radio stations owned by iHeartMedia on Broadcast Drive in southwest Mobile; WFNA's transmitter is located in unincorporated Baldwin County near Spanish Fort, Alabama.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WTNH</span> TV station in New Haven, Connecticut

WTNH is a television station licensed to New Haven, Connecticut, United States, serving the Hartford–New Haven market as an affiliate of ABC. It is owned by Nexstar Media Group alongside MyNetworkTV affiliate WCTX, also licensed to New Haven. WTNH and WCTX share studios on Elm Street in downtown New Haven; per a channel sharing agreement, the two stations transmit using WTNH's spectrum from a tower in Hamden, Connecticut.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nexstar Media Group</span> American media company

Nexstar Media Group, Inc. is an American publicly traded media company with headquarters in Irving, Texas, Midtown Manhattan, and Chicago. The company is the largest television station owner in the United States, owning 197 television stations across the U.S., most of which are affiliated with the four "major" U.S. television networks and MyNetworkTV in markets as large as New York City and as small as San Angelo, Texas. It also operates all of the stations owned by affiliated companies, such as Mission Broadcasting and Vaughan Media, under local marketing agreements to satisfy existing regulations set in place by the Federal Communications Commission. In addition, Nexstar owns one radio station, WGN in Chicago, and operates major TV network the CW through a 75-percent majority stake where all CW affiliates are directly owned-and-operated stations (O&O), two terrestrial television networks airing classic shows, Antenna TV and Rewind TV, one FAST streaming channel airing sports programming, SportsGrid, and has full or partial ownership stakes in three pay television networks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KOIN</span> TV station in Portland, Oregon

KOIN is a television station in Portland, Oregon, United States, affiliated with CBS. It is owned by Nexstar Media Group alongside Salem–licensed CW owned-and-operated station KRCW-TV. The two stations share studios in the basement of the KOIN Center skyscraper on Southwest Columbia Street in downtown Portland; KOIN's transmitter is located in the Sylvan-Highlands neighborhood of the city.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WNDY-TV</span> TV station in Marion, Indiana

WNDY-TV is a television station licensed to Marion, Indiana, United States, serving the Indianapolis area as an affiliate of MyNetworkTV. It is locally owned by Circle City Broadcasting alongside Indianapolis-licensed CW affiliate WISH-TV and low-power, Class A Get affiliate WIIH-CD. The stations share studios on North Meridian Street on the near north side of Indianapolis; WNDY-TV and WISH-TV also share transmitter facilities on Walnut Drive in the Augusta section of the city's northwest side. Despite Marion being WNDY-TV's city of license, the station maintains no physical presence there.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WCTX</span> TV station in New Haven, Connecticut

WCTX is a television station licensed to New Haven, Connecticut, United States, serving the Hartford–New Haven market as an affiliate of MyNetworkTV. It is owned by Nexstar Media Group alongside ABC affiliate WTNH, also licensed to New Haven. WCTX and WTNH share studios on Elm Street in downtown New Haven; per a channel sharing agreement, the two stations transmit using WTNH's spectrum from a tower in Hamden, Connecticut.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WYFX-LD</span> Fox affiliate in Youngstown, Ohio

WYFX-LD is a low-power television station in Youngstown, Ohio, United States, affiliated with the Fox network. It is owned by Nexstar Media Group alongside CBS affiliate WKBN-TV ; Nexstar also provides certain services to ABC affiliate WYTV through joint sales and shared services agreements (JSA/SSA) with Vaughan Media, LLC. The three stations share studios on Sunset Boulevard in Youngstown's Pleasant Grove neighborhood, where WYFX-LD's transmitter is also located.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WAVY-TV</span> NBC affiliate in Portsmouth, Virginia

WAVY-TV is a television station licensed to Portsmouth, Virginia, United States, serving the Hampton Roads area as an affiliate of NBC. It is owned by Nexstar Media Group alongside Virginia Beach–licensed dual Fox affiliate/CW owned-and-operated station WVBT. The two stations share studios on Wavy Street in downtown Portsmouth; WAVY-TV's transmitter is located in Suffolk, Virginia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WVBT</span> Fox/CW affiliate in Virginia Beach, Virginia

WVBT is a television station licensed to Virginia Beach, Virginia, United States, serving the Hampton Roads area as an affiliate of the Fox network. Its second digital subchannel serves as an owned-and-operated station of The CW. WVBT is owned by Nexstar Media Group alongside Portsmouth-licensed NBC affiliate WAVY-TV. The two stations share studios on Wavy Street in downtown Portsmouth; WVBT's transmitter is located in Suffolk, Virginia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WRIC-TV</span> TV station in Petersburg, Virginia

WRIC-TV is a television station licensed to Petersburg, Virginia, United States, serving the Richmond area as an affiliate of ABC. Owned by Nexstar Media Group, the station maintains studios in unincorporated Chesterfield County, overlooking Powhite Parkway just south of the Midlothian Turnpike interchange. Its transmitter is located in Bon Air, on a tower shared with local PBS member stations WCVE and WCVW.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KIMT</span> TV station in Mason City, Iowa

KIMT is a television station licensed to Mason City, Iowa, United States, serving North Central Iowa and Southeast Minnesota as an affiliate of CBS and MyNetworkTV. Owned by Allen Media Group, the station maintains studios on North Pennsylvania Avenue in downtown Mason City, with a news bureau on Highway 52 North in Rochester, Minnesota, and a sales office on East William Street in downtown Albert Lea, Minnesota. Its transmitter is located near Meyer, Iowa south of the Minnesota state line.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WHTM-TV</span> TV station in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

WHTM-TV is a television station licensed to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, United States, serving the Susquehanna Valley region as an affiliate of ABC. Owned by Nexstar Media Group, the station maintains studios on North 6th Street in Harrisburg. Through a channel sharing agreement with Red Lion–licensed religious independent station WLYH, the two stations transmit using WHTM-TV's spectrum from an antenna on a ridge north of I-81 along the Cumberland–Perry county line.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WHBF-TV</span> TV station in Rock Island, Illinois

WHBF-TV is a television station licensed to Rock Island, Illinois, United States, serving as the CBS affiliate for the Quad Cities area. It is owned by Nexstar Media Group alongside Burlington, Iowa–licensed CW owned-and-operated station KGCW ; Nexstar also provides certain services to Davenport, Iowa–licensed Fox affiliate KLJB under a shared services agreement (SSA) owner Mission Broadcasting. The three stations share studios in the Telco Building on 18th Street in downtown Rock Island; WHBF-TV's transmitter is located in Bettendorf, Iowa.

KWQC-TV is a television station licensed to Davenport, Iowa, United States, serving the Quad Cities area as an affiliate of NBC. Owned by Gray Television, the station maintains studios on Brady Street in downtown Davenport, and its transmitter is located in Bettendorf, Iowa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WFXQ-CD</span> WWLP translator in Springfield, Massachusetts

WFXQ-CD is a low-power, Class A television station in Springfield, Massachusetts, United States. It is a translator of dual NBC/CW+ affiliate WWLP, owned by Nexstar Media Group. WFXQ-CD's transmitter is located at the old Mount Tom Ski Area summit in Holyoke. Its parent station maintains studios at Broadcast Center in the Sandy Hill section of Chicopee at the northwest corner of the I-391/MA 116/Chicopee Street interchange.

Tegna Inc. is an American publicly traded broadcast, digital media and marketing services company headquartered in Tysons Corner, Virginia. It was created on June 29, 2015, when the Gannett Company split into two publicly traded companies. Tegna comprised the more profitable broadcast television and digital media divisions of the old Gannett, while Gannett's publishing interests were spun off as a "new" company that retained the Gannett name. Tegna owns or operates 68 television stations in 54 markets, and holds properties in digital media.

Heartland Media, LLC is an American media company that owns television stations in smaller markets in the United States, though as of 2023 it currently only owns stations based St. Joseph, Missouri and the Utica–Rome metropolitan area in New York. The company is based in Atlanta, Georgia. It operates the television broadcasting companies, USA Television Holdings, LLC and USA Television MidAmerica Holdings, LLC as a joint venture alongside MSouth Equity Partners. The company is run by Bob Prather, a former CEO of Gray Television, whose philosophy of station acquisitions, acquired during his time at Gray, is centered on "acquiring No. 1-rated stations, Big Four affiliates with strong local news operations targeting university towns and state capitols that are deeply ingrained in the fabric of their communities".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Attempted acquisition of Tribune Media by Sinclair Broadcast Group</span> Failed 2017 business transaction

The attempted acquisition of Tribune Media by Sinclair Broadcast Group was a proposed broadcast media transaction between Sinclair Broadcast Group and Tribune Media. Formally announced on May 8, 2017, the $3.9 billion deal would have resulted in Sinclair owning—or having operational control over—stations available in 72% of all households with a television set in the United States.

References

  1. "History of the Richmond Times-Dispatch". Richmond.com. Richmond Times-Dispatch. February 6, 2014. Retrieved January 31, 2017.
  2. 1 2 "Media General Over the Years". Richmond Times-Dispatch. May 18, 2012. Retrieved January 31, 2017.
  3. GILLIGAN, GREGORY (January 23, 2016). "J. Stewart Bryan III, Media General chairman, has died". Richmond.com. Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved January 31, 2017.
  4. Malone, Michael (December 22, 2014). "Media General, LIN Marriage Is Official". Broadcasting & Cable. Retrieved January 27, 2017.
  5. Tupponce, Joan (July 28, 2015). "CFO kept his focus in deals that transformed company". Broadcasting & Cable. Retrieved January 27, 2017.
  6. 1 2 "FCC Approves Nexstar's $4.6B Acquisition Of Media General". Deadline. January 11, 2017. Retrieved January 11, 2017.
  7. "Richmond company buys Tampa operations" (PDF). Broadcasting . January 17, 1966. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
  8. "Changing Hands" (PDF). Broadcasting . December 7, 1981. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
  9. "Changing Hands" (PDF). Broadcasting . November 8, 1982. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
  10. "Changing Hands" (PDF). Broadcasting . July 5, 1982. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
  11. "Changing Hands" (PDF). Broadcasting . January 24, 1983. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
  12. "Sugarman Makes Unsolicited Bid To Acquire Media General Firm". Variety . October 28, 1987. p. 45.
  13. Callan, Kathleen (July 22, 1996). "Media General Buys Park Acquisitions For $710 Million". Associated Press. Retrieved March 27, 2014.
  14. Schneider, Michael (December 8, 1999). "Media Gen'l buys Spartan for $605 mil" . Retrieved March 27, 2014.
  15. Mazzullo, Lainie (July 28, 2006). "KWCH Channel 12 sold for $73 million". Wichita Business Journal. Retrieved March 21, 2022.
  16. "MEDIA GENERAL COMPLETES CHATTANOOGA SALE". TV News Check. October 13, 2006. Retrieved December 8, 2021.
  17. "Media General spins begin | Radio & Television Business Report". RBR. March 9, 2008. Retrieved December 8, 2021.
  18. "Media General Announces Sale of WNEG in Toccoa, Ga., to University of Georgia Research Foundation" (Press release). Media General. June 25, 2008. Archived from the original on August 20, 2008. Retrieved June 25, 2008.
  19. Lieberman, David (June 6, 2013). "Media General And Young Broadcasting Agree To Merge". Deadline. Retrieved November 26, 2018.
  20. "Media General Receives FCC Approval for Merger with Young Broadcasting; Plans to Close Transaction on Tuesday, November 12, 2013". Archived from the original on November 21, 2013. Retrieved December 25, 2013.
  21. "Media General, Young Now Officially One". TVNewsCheck. November 12, 2013. Retrieved November 12, 2013.
  22. Ghosh, Sayantani (June 6, 2013). "Media General to merge with privately held New Young Broadcasting". Reuters. Retrieved January 31, 2017.
  23. Media General, Young Broadcasting To Merge, TVNewsCheck, June 6, 2013.
  24. "Overview of Media General, Inc., Prior to Reverse Merger with Young Broadcasting". Bloomberg. Retrieved January 31, 2017.
  25. "Setting The New Order At New Media General". TVNewsCheck. July 9, 2014. Retrieved August 4, 2014.
  26. TV Station Mega Merger: Media General, LIN Set $1.6 Billion Deal from Variety (March 21, 2014)
  27. Media General acquiring LIN Media for $1.6 billion, Los Angeles Times , March 21, 2014.
  28. Media Gen/LIN To Sell/Swap In Five Markets, TVNewsCheck, March 21, 2014.
  29. "Media General Buying WHTM For $83.4M". TV News Check. June 23, 2014. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
  30. "Media General Completes Acquisition of WHTM-TV in Harrisburg, PA". www.businesswire.com (Press release). September 2, 2014. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
  31. "Media General, LIN Sell Stations In 5 Markets - TVNewsCheck.com". www.tvnewscheck.com. August 20, 2014. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  32. "TVSpy - Jobs in Local Television". www.mediabistro.com. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  33. "Media Bureau Approves LIN Media and Media General Transaction". December 10, 2015. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  34. Media General Completes Merger With LIN Media Archived December 19, 2014, at the Wayback Machine , Press Release, Media General, Retrieved December 19, 2014
  35. FCC Okays Media General/LIN Merger Broadcasting & Cable (December 12, 2014)
  36. Seyler, Dave (July 15, 2015). "Media General v. Mediacom". Television Business Report. Retrieved August 29, 2015.
  37. Farrell, Mike (July 15, 2015). "Media General Stations Go Dark on Mediacom". Multichannel News . Retrieved August 29, 2015.
  38. Eggerton, John (July 30, 2015). "Mediacom, Media General Strike Retrans Deal". Broadcasting & Cable . Retrieved August 29, 2015.
  39. "In the Matter of Media General Operations, Inc" (PDF). FCC. Retrieved July 14, 2016.
  40. "Media General to Buy Meredith Corp. for $2.4 Billion". The Wall Street Journal. September 8, 2015. Retrieved September 8, 2015.
  41. "Media General's bid to acquire Meredith is dead: sources". New York Post. October 7, 2015. Retrieved October 6, 2015.
  42. "Meredith, Media General stand by deal despite report". Des Moines Register. Retrieved October 8, 2015.
  43. "Meredith Deal Said on Hold as Media General Assesses Nexstar Bid". Bloomberg. Retrieved October 9, 2015.
  44. Lieberman, David (November 16, 2015). "Media General Rejects Nexstar's $1.9B Offer, But Agrees To Talk" . Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  45. "Nexstar-Media General: It's A Done Deal". TVNewsCheck. Retrieved January 27, 2016.
  46. Picker, Leslie (January 27, 2016). "Nexstar Clinches Deal to Acquire Media General". The New York Times. Retrieved January 27, 2016.
  47. "Nexstar Broadcasting Group Completes Acquisition of Media General Creating Nexstar Media Group, The Nation's Second Largest Television Broadcaster". Nexstar Media Group (Press release). January 17, 2017. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
  48. Lieberman, David (May 17, 2012). "Media General Shares Soar After Warren Buffett Agrees To Buy Its Newspapers" . Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  49. "New owner, era for The Times-Dispatch". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Archived from the original on February 4, 2013. Retrieved March 24, 2014.
  50. "Media General chairman: 'A very bittersweet day'". Richmond Times-Dispatch. May 18, 2012. Archived from the original on February 4, 2013. Retrieved March 24, 2014.
  51. "Media General gets 'some breathing room' with credit agreement amendment". Richmond Times-Dispatch. March 21, 2012. Archived from the original on February 4, 2013. Retrieved March 24, 2014.
  52. "Tampa Tribune Sold". ABC News. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
  53. "Media General Announces Sale of WTVQ-TV in Lexington, Ky., to Morris Network, Inc" (Press release). Media General. March 7, 2008. Archived from the original on September 7, 2012. Retrieved March 7, 2008.