Gray Television

Gray Television, Inc. is an American publicly traded television broadcasting company based in Atlanta, Georgia. Founded in 1946 by James Harrison Gray as Gray Communications Systems, the company owns or operates 145 stations across the United States, based primarily in markets as large as Cleveland and as small as North Platte, Nebraska.

Gray Television, Inc.
FormerlyGray Communications Systems, Inc.
TypePublic
IndustryBroadcast television
Founded1946 (1946)
FounderJames Gray
Headquarters,
Area served
Key people
  • Hilton H Howell, Jr.
  • (Executive chairman, CEO)
  • Pat LaPlatney
  • (President, Co-CEO)
Products148 terrestrial TV stations
Revenue$1.084 billion USD (2018)
$388.7 million USD (2018)
$210.8 million USD (2018)
Total assetsUS$4.21 billion USD (2018)
Total equityUS$1.187 billion USD (2018)
Number of employees
7,371 (2019)
Websitegray.tv
Footnotes / references
[1][2]

History

James H. Gray started his communication business with the purchase of Georgia's The Albany Herald in 1946 after he returned from World War II. Gray launched WALB-TV in 1954. In 1960, Gray purchased WJHG-TV in Panama City, Florida, and followed it later in the decade with KTVE serving Monroe, Louisiana and southern Arkansas.[3][4]

In 1986 Gray died, leaving his 50.5% share of the stock in a trust for his children with stipulation that they run the business together, sell their stock with each other or sell out together.[4] This caused difficulties as two of the three wanted to sell with the third unable to purchase. In 1991, to break the stalemate, the board of directors had the company purchase 25% of their shares.[3][4]

Gray Communication Systems

The company was then taken public on NASDAQ's small-cap market in the 2nd quarter 1992. The price per share dropped to $8. The company put itself-or any part up-for sale by the end of 1992. While the board of directors received about 40 offers, Bull Run Corporation purchased the remaining shares of the Gray siblings, who as part of the deal resigned from the board.[3][4]

New management was put in place at all three TV stations. Bull Run Corporation, primarily owned by J. Mack Robinson, decided to make Gray a Southeast regional media company, expanding its focus beyond the state of Georgia.[4] Gray purchased two TV stations (WKYT-TV and WYMT) from the failed and government-seized Kentucky Central Life Insurance Co. in September 1994 after a court challenge to the sale by Kentucky Central builder Garvie Kincaid.[3]

In 1994 and 1995, Gray purchased two newspapers, the Rockdale Citizen (acquired May 31, 1994) and Gwinnett Post-Tribune (acquired January 1995; quickly renamed Gwinnett Daily Post) and seven advertising weeklies. In 1995, the company moved its stock listing to the New York Stock Exchange. By this time, Robinson, directly or through Bull Run, owned 44% of the company's stock. Gray had started to focus on its TV station segment over the newspaper holding while TV produced more income and the newspapers' income were declining. Just months after doubling the Daily Post's staff, one third were laid off and a quarter of The Albany Herald's staff followed in January 1996. Newspaper leaders resigned during this periodfrom the corporate president in late 1995 to the Citizens' editor and publisher.[3]

Fiscal
Year
Revenue
millions
Net Income
(Loss) millions[3]
1994$36.5$2.8
199558.6.9
199679.32.5
1997103.5(1.4)[5]
1998128.841.6[5]
1999143.9(6.3)[5]
2000120.6(6.2)[6]
2001106.4(13.3)[6]
2002146.7(27.8)[6]
2003243.014.0[7]
2004293.244.2[7]
2005261.53.3[7]
2006332.111.7[8]
2007307.2(23.1)[8]
2008327.1(202.0)[8]
2009270.3(23.0)[8]
2010346.023.1[8]
2011307.19.0[9]
2012404.828.1[9]
2013346.218.2[9]
2014508.148.0[9]
2015597.339.3[9]
2016812.462.2[10]
2017882.7261.9[10]
20181,084.1210.8[11]

In 1996, Gray added additional TV stations while entering additional communication industry segments. The company was considered in 1996 by Fortune magazine as the 81st fastest growing company, having a 48% percent growth rate. WRDW-TV was purchased in January 1996. In September 1996 a basket purchase from First American Media, Inc., Gray got two TV stations (WCTV and WVLT-TV), Satellite and Production Business Services, which was renamed Lynqx Communications and PortaPhone paging business.[3]

In August and September 1996, Gray raised additional operating funds by various means. On August 20, KTVE was sold for cash and accounts receivable. The company issued and sold Class B common stock (through a public offering), senior subordinated notes and preferred stock in September. Also, a new bank credit facility was arranged. This brought the company total to $534.5 million in available funds with $409.5 million directly available.[3]

Also in September 1996, Ralph Gabbard, the newly named president and CEO, died from a heart attack at age 50. Robinson, Bull Run's chair, took over as interim CEO and president with Bull Run CEO Robert Prather as interim executive vice-president, acquisitions.[3]

With its additional funds, Gray continued purchasing in 1997 with two announcements in January and February. The company bought Gulflink Communications, Inc., a transportable satellite uplink business based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, in April 1997 to go along with Lynqx. With Raycom Media acquiring a station from AFLAC Broadcast Group, Inc., forcing them to sell WITN-TV to Gray, which was finalized on August 1, 1997. The Gwinnett Daily Post increased circulation in 1997 through a deal with Genesis Cable Communications to provide the paper to its metro Atlanta subscribers at Genesis's expense.[3]

In 1998, Gray started to expand beyond its Southeast region. As the company agreed to purchase the Busse Broadcasting Corporation, which owned KOLN, KGIN-TV and WEAU. Gray's ownership of a newspaper and TV station in Albany, Georgia while grandfathered was examined under the Media cross-ownership rule of the FCC due to this potential purchase.[3] WALB was thus sold to Liberty Corp.'s Cosmos Broadcasting in August 1998.[4][12]

In 2002, Robinson became Chairman and CEO, his son-in-law Hilton Howell vice chairman, Prather president/COO and Jim Ryan senior vice president. They had Gray purchase 14 Benedek Broadcasting stations while that company was in bankruptcy.[13]

Gray Television

Congressmember Mike Rogers being interviewed by Gray Television's Peter Zampa in 2020.

In 2006, the company spun off its five daily newspapers and wireless messaging business into the newly formed Triple Crown Media,[4][14] later (in 2010) renamed Southern Community Newspapers.[15] A new strategy of purchasing stations in college towns or capitals was put into place.[13]

The company had overpaid for a pair of stations and was over leveraged like many other station groups entering the Great Recession. Advertising revenues dropped. The twin problems caused its shares to trade at its lowest at 16 cents in 2008, thus the NYSE indicated they might delist the company. Loan covenants could have forced the company into default.[13] Robinson stepped down with Howell replacing him in 2008.[13]

On July 30, 2009, Gray was awarded a contract to manage seven Young Broadcasting-owned stations. Through December 31, 2012, Gray would earn $2.2 million and an opportunity to earn additional specified incentive fees if certain performance targets were exceeded.[16][17][18]

Prather left the company in 2013 and Howell took over the president title.[13] On November 4, 2013, Gray Television announced that it would purchase Yellowstone Holdings for $23 million, adding local stations: KGNS-TV, KGWN, KCWY, and KCHY-LP.[19] Three weeks later, on November 20, Gray announced it would purchase Hoak Media and Parker Broadcasting for $335 million, and North Dakota's Fox affiliate KNDX/KXND for $7.5 million. As part of the deal, stations KAQY, KHAS-TV, and KXJB, were proposed to be sold to Excalibur Broadcasting and operated by Gray under a "local marketing agreements".[20] On December 19, it was announced that stations KREX-TV and WMBB would be sold to Nexstar Broadcasting Group, while KFQX would be sold to Mission Broadcasting.[21] On March 25, 2014, Prime Cities Broadcasting, owner of KNDX/KXND, requested that the FCC dismiss the sale of KNDX/KXND to Excalibur.[22]

The sale was completed on June 13, 2014. However, some stations were forced to go off the air and their programming was moved to a multicast stream on adjacent channels, due to some stations unable to receive regulatory approval, after the FCC's ruling on joint sales agreements. Those silent stations would then be sold off to minority interest, pending FCC approval.[23][24]

On July 24, 2014, SJL Broadcasting announced that it would sell WJRT-TV and WTVG to Gray, for $128 million.[25][26] The sale was completed on September 15.[27]

In July 2015, Gray closed its accounting and human resources offices in Albany (housed in the same building as The Albany Herald), combining them with the corporate offices in Atlanta.[4]

In September 2015, Gray announced that it would acquire the television and radio stations of Schurz Communications for $442.5 million.[28][29] It also purchased KCRG-TV in Cedar Rapids, Iowa from the locally owned Gazette Company, who owned the station from its sign-on in 1953.[30][31]

In January 2016, Gray Television opened a national news bureau in Washington, D.C., led by former APTV journalist Jacqueline Policastro. The bureau was designed to provide enhanced coverage of national political issues for Gray's local stations.[32][33]

On May 13, 2016, Gray announced that it would acquire WDTV and WVFX in Clarksburg, West Virginia from Withers Broadcasting for $26.5 million.[34] On June 3, 2016, it was announced that Gray would acquire two stations that were spun-off from the Nexstar-Media General merger; KWQC-TV in Davenport, Iowa and WBAY-TV in Green Bay, Wisconsin for $270 million.[35][36] On February 16, 2017, Gray announced that it will acquire WABI-TV in Bangor, Maine and WCJB-TV in Gainesville, Florida from Diversified Communications for $85 million.[37] On May 4, 2017, Gray announced its intent to acquire WCAX-TV in Burlington, Vermont from Mount Mansfield Television for $29 million.[38][39]

In April 2017, Gray Television filed a lawsuit against Nick Prueher and Joe Pickett, founders of the Found Footage Festival, for fraud and copyright infringement, after having booked an appearance on the morning show of a Gray station as a fake strongman act, "Chop and Steele", and utilizing the footage during their show. The parties later agreed to a settlement.[40][41]

On May 21, 2018, Gray Television entered into an agreement to acquire KNHL from Legacy Broadcasting for $475,000. Gray intended to turn KNHL into a satellite of its NBC affiliate KSNB-TV.[42]

On June 25, 2018, Gray Television announced its intent to acquire Raycom Media for $3.65 billion, pending regulatory approval. The combined company would be led by Raycom's current president and CEO Pat LaPlatney, with current Gray CEO Hilton Howell acting as executive chairman and co-CEO. The acquisition, which Gray expected to close in late 2018, would give Gray 142 stations in 92 markets, making Gray the third-largest owner of television stations in the United States, with a total market share of 24%.[43][44][45]

Although Gray foresaw that the acquisition would receive regulatory approval quickly, due to limited market overlap between the two companies and its still-relatively low total market reach post-acquisition. Gray would divest nine stations in markets where Gray and Raycom both already owned stations, including WTNZ, WTOL, KXXV, WTXL, WFXG, KWES-TV, WPGX, WSWG, and WDFX-TV.[45] The sale was approved by the FCC on December 20, 2018.[46][47][48] The deal was completed on January 2, 2019.[49][50]

Gray announced on April 24, 2019 a joint venture with Grand Old Opry Entertainment Group, a subsidiary of Ryman Hospitality Properties, a former owner of The Nashville Network. The services will consist of a broadcast diginet and an OTT streaming platform. The joint venture will be based in Nashville under General Manager Drew Riefenberger. Gray will contribute distribution and marketing capabilities, multicast knowledge and affiliate Gray TV stations.[51] The Circle TV network made its launch on January 1, 2020.[52]

On February 1, 2021, Gray Television announced its intent to acquire all Quincy Media's broadcasting properties for $925 million in cash.[53]

Assets

Stations

Stations arranged alphabetically by state and by city of license.

Notes:

  • (**) – Indicates that it was built and signed-on by Gray.
  • () – Indicates a station that was acquired by Gray as a result of the liquidation of Kentucky Central Insurance Company in 1993.
  • (++) – Indicates a station that was owned by Benedek Broadcasting prior to that company's 2002 liquidation; KAUZ, KGWN/KSTF, and KOSA were not included in the initial acquisition.
  • (¤¤) – Indicates a station that was owned by Hoak Media prior to its acquisition by Gray in 2014. KHAS (now KNHL) was acquired by Gray in 2018.
  • (##) – Indicates a station acquired by Gray from SJL Broadcasting in 2014.
  • (§§) – Indicates a station owned by Schurz Communications prior to its acquisition by Gray in 2016.
  • (♦♦) – Indicates a station owned by Diversified Communications prior to its acquisition by Gray in 2017.
  • (‡‡) – Indicates a station owned by Raycom Media prior to its merger with Gray in 2019.
  • (~~) – Indicates a station owned by United Communications prior to its acquisition by Gray in 2019.

Current owned television stations

City of license / Market Station Channel
TV (RF)
Owned Since Affiliation
Birmingham - Tuscaloosa - Anniston, Alabama WBRC ‡‡ 6 (29) 2019 Fox
Dothan, Alabama WTVY ++ 4 (36) 2002 CBS
MyNetworkTV (DT2)
The CW (DT3)
NBC (DT4)
WRGX-LD 23 (23) 2013 NBC
The CW (DT2)
Huntsville, Alabama WAFF ‡‡ 48 (15) 2019 NBC
Montgomery, Alabama WSFA ‡‡ 12 (8) 2019 NBC
Anchorage, Alaska KTUU-TV §§ 2 (10) 2016 NBC
KYES-TV 5 (7) 2016 CBS
MyNetworkTV (DT4)
Fairbanks, Alaska KTVF 11 (26) 2017 NBC
MyNetworkTV (DT2)
CBS (DT3)
KXDF-CD 13 (13) 2017 CBS
NBC (CD2)
KFXF-LD 22 (22) 2017 MyNetworkTV
CBS (LD2)
Juneau - Douglas, Alaska KATH-LD 35 (5) 2020 NBC
Sitka, Alaska KSCT-LP
(Satellite of KATH-LD)
5 (5) 2020 NBC
Tucson, Arizona KOLD-TV ‡‡ 13 (32) 2019 CBS
MeTV (DT2)
KMSB 11 (25) 1 Fox
KTTU 18 (19) 1 MyNetworkTV
Jonesboro, Arkansas KAIT ‡‡ 8 (8) 2019 ABC
NBC (DT2)
The CW (DT3)
Colorado Springs, Colorado KKTV ++ 11 (26) 2002 CBS
MyNetworkTV/MeTV (DT2)
Grand Junction, Colorado KJCT-LP 8 (20) 2013 ABC
The CW (LD2)
KKCO 11 (12) 2005 NBC
MeTV (DT2)
Telemundo (DT3)
Gainesville, Florida WCJB-TV ♦♦ 20 (16) 2017 ABC
The CW (DT2)
Panama City, Florida WJHG-TV 7 (16) 1960 NBC
The CW (DT2)
CBS (DT3)
WECP-LD 18 (35) 2012 CBS
MyNetworkTV (LD2)
Sarasota, Florida WWSB ‡‡ 40 (24) 2019 ABC
West Palm Beach, Florida WFLX ‡‡ 29 (35) 2019 2 Fox
Albany, Georgia WALB ** ‡‡ 10 (10) 2019
(previously owned 1954–1998)
NBC
ABC (DT2)
The CW (DT4)
WGCW-LD 36 (36) 2019 The CW
Augusta, Georgia WRDW-TV 12 (12) 1996 CBS
NBC (DT2)
MyNetworkTV (DT3)
WAGT-CD 26 (30) 2016 NBC
The CW (CD2)
Thomasville, Georgia - Tallahassee, Florida WCTV 6 (20) 1996 CBS
MyNetworkTV/MeTV (DT2)
WFXU 57 (17) 2017 MyNetworkTV/MeTV
Columbus, Georgia WTVM ‡‡ 9 (11) 2019 ABC
WLTZ 38 (35) 3 NBC
The CW (DT2)
MyNetworkTV (DT3)
WXTX 4 54 (24) 2019 Fox
Savannah, Georgia WTOC-TV ‡‡ 11 (11) 2019 CBS
Honolulu, Hawaii KGMB ‡‡ 5 (23) 2019 CBS
KHNL ‡‡ 13 (35) 2019 NBC
Independent (DT2)
Hilo - Kailua-Kona, Hawaii KSIX-TV ‡‡
(Satellite of KHNL)
13 (22) 2019 NBC
Independent (DT2)
CBS (DT3)
KFVE 6 (25) 2020 Telemundo
Wailuku - Maui, Hawaii KOGG ‡‡
(Satellite of KHNL)
15 (16) 2019 NBC
Independent (DT2)
CBS (DT3)
Caldwell - Boise, Idaho KNIN-TV ‡‡ 9 (10) 2019 2 Fox
Twin Falls, Idaho KMVT 11 (11) 2015 CBS
The CW (DT2)
KSVT-LD 14 (14) 2015 Fox/MyNetworkTV
Rockford, Illinois WIFR-LD 23 (28) 2016 CBS
Evansville, Indiana WFIE ‡‡ 14 (26) 2019 NBC
MeTV (DT2)
South Bend, Indiana WNDU-TV 16 (27) 2006 NBC
Cedar Rapids, Iowa KCRG-TV 9 (9) 2015 ABC
MyNetworkTV (DT2)
Davenport, Iowa KWQC-TV 6 (17) 2017 NBC
Ottumwa, Iowa - Kirksville, Missouri KYOU-TV ‡‡ 15 (15) 2019 Fox
NBC (DT2)
The CW (DT4)
Topeka, Kansas WIBW-TV ++ 13 (13) 2002 CBS
MyNetworkTV/MeTV (DT2)
Hutchinson - Wichita, Kansas KWCH-DT §§ 12 (19) 2016 CBS
KSCW-DT §§ 33 (12) 2016 The CW
KDCU-DT 31 (31) 5 Univision
Ensign, Kansas KBSD-DT §§
(Satellite of KWCH-DT)
6 (6) 2016 CBS
Goodland, Kansas KBSL-DT §§
(Satellite of KWCH-DT)
10 (10) 2016 CBS
Hays, Kansas KBSH-DT §§
(Satellite of KWCH-DT)
7 (7) 2016 CBS
Bowling Green, Kentucky WBKO ++ 13 (13) 2002 ABC
Fox (DT2)
The CW (DT3)
W14DG-D 14 (34) 2016 Low-powered translator of WBKO
Lexington, Kentucky WKYT-TV 27 (21) 1993 CBS
The CW (DT2)
Hazard, Kentucky WYMT-TV
(Semi-satellite of WKYT-TV)
57 (12) 1993 CBS
Louisville, Kentucky WAVE ‡‡ 3 (36) 2019 NBC
Alexandria, Louisiana KALB-TV ¤¤ 5 (35) 2014 NBC
CBS (DT2)
The CW (DT3)
Baton Rouge, Louisiana WAFB ‡‡ 9 (9) 2019 CBS
WBXH-CD ‡‡ 39 (32) 2019 MyNetworkTV
Lake Charles, Louisiana KPLC ‡‡ 7 (7) 2019 NBC
The CW (DT2)
KVHP 4 29 (18) 2019 Fox
ABC (DT2)
Monroe, Louisiana KNOE-TV ¤¤ 8 (8) 2014 CBS
ABC (DT2)
The CW/MyNetworkTV (DT3)
New Orleans, Louisiana WVUE-DT ‡‡ 8 (29) 2019 Fox
Shreveport, Louisiana KSLA ‡‡ 12 (23) 2019 CBS
Bangor, Maine WABI-TV ♦♦ 5 (13) 2017 CBS
The CW (DT2)
Presque Isle - Fort Kent, Maine WAGM-TV 8 (8) 2015 CBS
Fox (DT2)
The CW (DT3)
WWPI-LD ** 16 (16) 2020 NBC
Flint - Saginaw, Michigan WJRT-TV ## 12 (12) 2014 ABC
MeTV (DT2)
Onondaga - Lansing, Michigan WILX-TV ++ 10 (10) 2002 NBC
WLNM-LD
(Translator of WILX-TV)
27 (27) 2020 NBC
Marquette, Michigan WLUC-TV 6 (35) 2016 NBC
Fox (DT2)
Mankato - St. James, Minnesota KEYC-TV ~~ 12 (12) 2019 CBS
Fox (DT2)
KMNF-LD ** 7 (7) 2019 NBC
The CW (LD2)
Biloxi, Mississippi WLOX ‡‡ 13 (32) 2019 ABC
CBS (DT2)
Jackson, Mississippi WLBT ‡‡ 3 (30) 2019 NBC
WLOO 35 (36) 6 MyNetworkTV
WDBD 4 40 (14) 2019 Fox
Laurel - Hattiesburg, Mississippi WDAM-TV ‡‡ 7 (7) 2019 NBC
Meridian, Mississippi WTOK-TV ++ 11 (13) 2002 ABC
MyNetworkTV (DT2)
The CW (DT3)
Cape Girardeau, Missouri - Paducah, Kentucky -
Harrisburg, Illinois
KFVS-TV ‡‡ 12 (12) 2019 CBS
WQTV-LP ‡‡ 24 2019 The CW/MeTV
WQWQ-LP ‡‡ 9 2019 The CW/MeTV
Springfield, Missouri KYTV §§ 3 (19) 2016 NBC
KYCW-LD 24 (24) 2016 The CW
KSPR-LD §§ 33 (34) 2016 ABC
The CW (DT2)
K17DL-D §§ 17 (17) 7 Independent
Lincoln, Nebraska KOLN 10 (10) 1998 CBS
NBC (DT2)
KCWH-LD 18 (18) 2013 The CW
Grand Island, Nebraska KGIN
(Satellite of KOLN)
11 (11) 1998 CBS
NBC (DT2)
Superior, Nebraska KSNB-TV 4 (4) 2013 NBC
MyNetworkTV/MeTV (DT2)
Hastings, Nebraska KNHL ¤¤
(Satellite of KSNB-TV)
5 (5) 2019 MyNetworkTV/MeTV
NBC (DT2)
The CW (DT3)
North Platte, Nebraska KNOP-TV ¤¤ 2 (2) 2014 NBC
Fox (DT2)
KNPL-LD
(Semi-satellite of KOLN)
10 (25) 1998 CBS
MeTV (LD2)
KIIT-CD ¤¤ 11 (11) 2014 Fox
The CW (LD2)
Omaha, Nebraska WOWT ++ 6 (22) 2002 NBC
Reno, Nevada KOLO-TV 8 (8) 2002 ABC
MeTV (DT2)
The CW (DT3)
Carthage - Watertown, New York WWNY-TV ~~ 7 (8) 2019 CBS
Fox (DT2)
Watertown, New York WNYF-CD ~~ 28 (35) 2019 Fox
MeTV (CD2)
Massena, New York WWNY-CD ~~
(Translator of WNYF-CD)
28 (18) 2019 Fox
CBS (DT2)
Charlotte, North Carolina WBTV ‡‡ 3 (23) 2019 CBS
Washington - Greenville, North Carolina WITN-TV 7 (34) 1997 NBC
MyNetworkTV (DT2)
MeTV (DT3)
Wilmington, North Carolina WECT ‡‡ 6 (23) 2019 NBC
WSFX-TV 4 26 (29) 2019 Fox
Bismarck, North Dakota KFYR-TV ¤¤ 5 (31) 2014 NBC
Fox (DT2)
MeTV (DT3)
Dickinson, North Dakota KQCD-TV ¤¤
(Satellite of KFYR-TV)
7 (7) 2014 NBC
Fox (DT2)
MeTV (DT3)
Minot, North Dakota KMOT ¤¤
(Semi-satellite of KFYR-TV)
10 (10) 2014 NBC
Fox (DT2)
MeTV (DT3)
Williston, North Dakota KUMV-TV ¤¤
(Satellite of KMOT)
8 (8) 2014 NBC
Fox (DT2)
MeTV (DT3)
Fargo - Grand Forks, North Dakota KVLY-TV ¤¤ 11 (36) 2014 NBC
CBS (DT2)
MeTV (DT3)
KXJB-LD 30 (30) 2016 CBS
The CW (LD2)
Cincinnati, Ohio - Newport, Kentucky WXIX-TV ‡‡ 19 (15) 2019 Fox
Cleveland - Shaker Heights - Lorain, Ohio WOIO ‡‡ 19 (10) 2019 CBS
MeTV/MyNetworkTV (DT2)
WUAB ‡‡ 43 (10) 2019 The CW
Toledo, Ohio WTVG ## 13 (13) 2014 ABC
The CW (DT2)
MeTV (DT3)
Charleston, South Carolina WCSC-TV ‡‡ 5 (19) 2019 CBS
Columbia, South Carolina WIS ‡‡ 10 (10) 2019 NBC
The CW (DT2)
Myrtle Beach - Florence, South Carolina WMBF-TV ‡‡ 32 (32) 2019 NBC
Rapid City, South Dakota KOTA-TV 3 (7) 2014 ABC
KEVN-LD 7 (23) 2015 Fox
Lead, South Dakota KHSD
(Satellite of KOTA-TV)
5 (5) 2014 ABC
Fox (DT2)
Sioux Falls, South Dakota KSFY-TV ¤¤ 13 (13) 2014 ABC
The CW (DT2)
MeTV (DT3)
KDLT-TV 46 (21) 2019 NBC
Fox (DT2)
Mitchell, South Dakota KDLV
(Satellite of KDLT-TV)
5 (26) 2019 NBC
Fox (DT2)
Pierre, South Dakota KPRY-TV ¤¤
(Satellite of KSFY-TV)
4 (19) 2014 ABC
The CW (DT2)
Knoxville, Tennessee WVLT-TV 8 (34) 1996 CBS
MyNetworkTV (DT2)
WBXX-TV 20 (31) 2016 The CW
Memphis, Tennessee WMC-TV ‡‡ 5 (5) 2019 NBC
Amarillo, Texas - Clovis, New Mexico KFDA-TV ‡‡ 10 (10) 2019 CBS
KZBZ-CD ‡‡ 26 (26) 2019 Independent
KEYU ‡‡ 31 (31) 2019 Telemundo
Laredo, Texas KGNS-TV 8 (8) 2013 NBC
ABC (DT2)
Telemundo (DT3)
KXNU-LD 10 (10) 2019 Telemundo
KYLX-LD 13 (13) 2015 CBS
The CW (LD2)
Lubbock - Wolfforth, Texas KCBD ‡‡ 11 (11) 2019 NBC
KMYL-LD 14 (22) 2020 MyNetworkTV
KLCW-TV 22 (23) 2020 The CW
KJTV-CD 32 (33) 3 Independent
KJTV-TV 34 (35) 3 Fox
KXTQ-CD 46 (24) 2020 Telemundo
KLBB-LD 48 (19) 2020 MeTV
Snyder, Texas KABI-LD 42 (32) 2020 Heroes & Icons
Odessa - Midland, Texas KOSA-TV ++ 7 (7) 2015 CBS
The CW (DT2)
Telemundo (DT3)
KTLE-LD ‡‡ 7 (20) 2019 Telemundo
MyNetworkTV (DT2)
KWWT 30 (30) 2020 MyNetworkTV
MeTV (DT2)
KMDF-LD 30 (22) 2020 Cozi TV
Big Spring, Texas KCWO-TV ‡‡
(Satellite of KOSA-TV)
4 (33) 2019 The CW
Telemundo (DT2)
Sherman, Texas KXII 12 (12) 1999 CBS
MyNetworkTV (DT2)
Fox (DT3)
Tyler - Longview - Jacksonville, Texas KLTV ‡‡ 7 (7) 2019 ABC
Telemundo (DT3)
Lufkin - Nacogdoches, Texas KTRE ‡‡
(Semi-satellite of KLTV)
9 (9) 2019 ABC
Telemundo (DT2)
Waco, Texas KWTX-TV 10 (10) 1999 CBS
Telemundo (DT2)
MeTV (DT3)
KNCT 46 (17) 2018 The CW
Bryan, Texas KBTX-TV
(Semi-satellite of KWTX-TV)
3 (16) 1999 CBS
The CW (DT2)
Telemundo (DT3)
Wichita Falls, Texas - Lawton, Oklahoma KSWO-TV ‡‡ 7 (11) 2019 ABC
Telemundo (DT2)
MeTV (DT3)
KAUZ-TV ++ 4 6 (22) 2019 CBS
The CW (DT2)
Burlington, Vermont - Saranac Lake, New York WCAX-TV 3 (22) 2017 CBS
WYCI 40 (34) 2019 Heroes & Icons
Charlottesville, Virginia WVIR-TV 29 (2) 2019 NBC
The CW (DT3)
WVIR-CD
(Translator of WVIR-TV)
29 (35) 2005 NBC
The CW (DT3)
Harrisonburg, Virginia WHSV-TV ++ 3 (20) 2002 ABC
NBC (DT2)
MyNetworkTV/MeTV (DT4)
CBS (DT5)
WSVF-CD 43 (36) 2012 Fox
CBS (CD2)
WSVW-LD ** 30 (30) 2019 NBC
The CW (LD2)
Richmond - Petersburg - Ashland, Virginia WWBT ‡‡ 12 (10) 2019 NBC
MeTV (DT2)
WUPV ‡‡ 65 (8) 2019 The CW
Roanoke - Lynchburg, Virginia WDBJ §§ 7 (30) 2016 CBS
WZBJ 24 (30) 2018 MyNetworkTV
WZBJ-CD
(Translator of WZBJ)
24 (19) 2018 MyNetworkTV
Green Bay - Appleton, Wisconsin WBAY-TV 2 (23) 2017 ABC
Eau Claire - La Crosse, Wisconsin WEAU 13 (17) 1998 NBC
Madison, Wisconsin WMTV ++ 15 (19) 2002 NBC
The CW (DT2)
Wausau, Wisconsin WSAW-TV ++ 7 (7) 2002 CBS
MyNetworkTV/MeTV (DT2)
Fox (DT3)
WZAW-LD 33 (33) 2015 Fox
MeTV (LD2)
Huntington - Charleston, West Virginia -
Portsmouth, Ohio
WSAZ-TV 3 (23) 2005 NBC
MyNetworkTV/MeTV (DT2)
WQCW 30 (15) 2014 The CW
Parkersburg, West Virginia WTAP-TV ++ 15 (35) 2002 NBC
WOVA-LD 22 (20) 2012 Fox/Jewelry Television
The CW (LD2)
WIYE-LD 26 (26) 2012 CBS
MyNetworkTV/MeTV (LD2)
Weston - Clarksburg -
Fairmont, West Virginia
WDTV 5 (5) 2017 CBS
MeTV (DT2)
WVFX 10 (13) 2017 Fox
The CW (DT2)
Casper, Wyoming KCWY-DT 13 (13) 2013 NBC
The CW (DT2)
Sheridan, Wyoming KSGW §§
(Satellite of KOTA-TV)
12 (13) 2016 ABC
NBC (DT2)
Cheyenne, Wyoming KGWN-TV ++ 5 (30) 2013 CBS
The CW (DT3)
KCHY-LP
(Translator of KCWY-DT)
13 2013 NBC
Scottsbluff, Nebraska KSTF-TV ++
(Semi-satellite of KGWN)
10 (29) 2013 CBS
NBC (DT2)
Sidney, Nebraska KNEP §§
(Satellite of KOTA-TV)
4 (7) 2016 NBC
ABC (DT2)

Other notes:

Currently owned radio stations

FM Station
City of license/market Station Owned since Current format
Lamesa/Midland, Texas KTXC 104.7 ‡‡ 2019 Regional Mexican

Former owned television stations

City of license / Market Station Channel
TV (RF)
Years owned Current ownership status
El Dorado, Arkansas - Monroe, Louisiana KTVE 10 (27) 1967–1996 NBC affiliate owned by Mission Broadcasting
(operated through a SSA by Nexstar Media Group)
KAQY 11 (11) 1 MeTV affiliate, KMLU, owned by Legacy Broadcasting
Grand Junction, Colorado KJCT 8 (7) 2013–2014 2 Court TV affiliate, KLML, owned by Ventura Broadcasting
Augusta, Georgia WAGT §§ 26 (30) 2016–2017 defunct, License cancelled in 2017.
(Intellectual unit and NBC programming transferred to a Gray-owned license and renamed WAGT-CD.)
Valdosta - Albany, Georgia WSWG 44 (31) 2005–2019 CBS affiliate owned by Marquee Broadcasting
Freeport - Rockford, Illinois WIFR ++ 23 (41) 2002–2017 defunct, License cancelled in 2017.
(Intellectual unit and CBS programming transferred to a Gray-owned license and renamed WIFR-LD.)
Wichita, Kansas KAKE ++ 10 (10) 2002–2016 ABC affiliate owned by Lockwood Broadcast Group
Colby, Kansas KLBY ++
(Satellite of KAKE)
4 (17) 2002–2016 ABC affiliate owned by Lockwood Broadcast Group
Garden City, Kansas KUPK-TV ++
(Satellite of KAKE)
13 (13) 2002–2016 ABC affiliate owned by Lockwood Broadcast Group
Springfield, Missouri KSPR/KGHZ 33 (19) 3 defunct, License cancelled in 2017.
(Intellectual unit and ABC programming transferred to a Gray-owned license and renamed KSPR-LD.)
Helena, Montana KMTF 10 (29) 2014–2015 PBS member station, KUHM-TV, owned by Montana State University
KTVH-DT 12 (12) 2014–2015 NBC affiliate owned by the E. W. Scripps Company
Fargo, North Dakota KXJB-TV 4 (38) 1 Cozi TV affiliate, KRDK-TV, owned by Major Market Broadcasting
Aberdeen, South Dakota KABY-TV ¤¤
(Satellite of KSFY-TV)
9 (9) 2014–2018 defunct, License cancelled in 2018.
Charlottesville, Virginia WVAW-LD ++ 16 (16) 2002–2019 ABC affiliate owned by Lockwood Broadcast Group
WCAV ** 19 (19) 2004–2019 CBS affiliate owned by Lockwood Broadcast Group
Winchester, Virginia TV3 Winchester 4 3
(Cable Only)
2007–2013 defunct

Notes:

  • 1 Owned by Parker Broadcasting, Gray operated KAQY & KXJB under a shared services agreement, with sister stations KNOE & KVLY, respectively.
  • 2 Owned by Excalibur Broadcasting, Gray operated KJCT under a Local marketing agreement, with sister station, KKCO.
  • 3 Owned by Schurz Communications, Gray operated KSPR/KGHZ under a shared services agreement from 2016 until the station's license cancellation in 2017.
  • 4 TV-3 Winchester was Winchester, Virginia's cable-only ABC affiliate. The station was a joint operation of WHSV-TV of Harrisonburg, Virginia, and Shenandoah University, and appeared on cable systems located only in the northern Shenandoah Valley counties. The channel was also simulcasted on WHSV-DT3.

Management of Young Broadcasting stations

On July 22, 2009, a New York bankruptcy judge approved a plan transferring ownership of Young Broadcasting and its stations to the company's secured lenders. The plan included Gray Television coming in as an outside party and advise on operations of Young-owned stations in seven markets through December 2012. The new Young Broadcasting still has final word on the stations' operations, including programming and personnel.[16][18]

The former Young-owned stations managed by Gray Television include:

Young Broadcasting would retain ownership of all of its stations, including three stations that Gray would not operate: KRON-TV in San Francisco, California, WATE-TV in Knoxville, Tennessee, and WLNS-TV in Lansing, Michigan, the latter two due to Gray already owning stations in those markets. Gray considered the possibility of purchasing the Young stations if they go on the market.[54]

The agreement ended without any further extensions on December 31, 2012, and Young agreed to a merger with Media General in mid-2013. Gray would eventually buy KWQC and WBAY when Nexstar Broadcasting Group acquired Media General in 2017, as Nexstar already owned 2 CBS stations WHBF-TV and WFRV-TV.[35][36] Gray would also re-enter the Richmond market when it bought WWBT in 2019, following its merger with Raycom Media.[45]

Washington News Bureau

By January 20, 2016, Gray had set up their Washington News Bureau by Jacqueline Policastro to enable stations to get interviews with U.S. Senators and Representatives serving their communities. The bureau cooperates with Lilly Broadcasting's Washington bureau, previously started by Policastro, and is located at the NBC News Capitol Hill Bureau, 400 N. Capitol Street.[33] In February 2019, Gray announced that award-winning journalist Greta Van Susteren has joined the company as its Chief National Political Analyst. Gray then announced in April 2019 Greta Van Susteren as host of a Sunday morning syndicated show, Full Court Press with Greta Van Susteren, which was launched in September 2019.[55]

References

  1. "Gray Television, Atlanta". TVNewsCheck. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
  2. "Gray Television SEC Filing". Gray Television.
  3. "Gray Communications Systems, Inc. History". International Directory of Company Histories. St. James Press. 1999. Archived from the original on September 23, 2016. Retrieved September 21, 2016.
  4. "Gray Television consolidating offices, leaving Albany". The Albany Herald. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
  5. "SEC Filing 10-K (1999)". Retrieved July 10, 2018.
  6. "SEC Filing 10-K (2002)". Retrieved July 10, 2018.
  7. "SEC Filing 10-K (2005)". Retrieved July 10, 2018.
  8. "SEC Filing 10-K (2010)". Retrieved July 10, 2018.
  9. "SEC Filing 10-K (2015)". Retrieved July 10, 2018.
  10. "SEC Filing 10-K (2017)". Retrieved July 10, 2018.
  11. "SEC Filing 10-K (2018)". Retrieved April 26, 2019.
  12. "Company Briefs". New York Times. August 4, 1998. Archived from the original on March 5, 2017. Retrieved September 22, 2016.
  13. Colman, Price (January 19, 2016). "Gray: Strong Stations, Smart Operations". Executive Outlook. TVNewsCheck. pp. 1–2. Archived from the original on May 13, 2018. Retrieved September 22, 2016.
  14. "Atlanta-based TV-station operator to spin off newsletter, wireless units". Atlanta Journal-Constitution. 4 August 2005. Archived from the original on 10 June 2014. Retrieved 9 August 2013 via HighBeam Research.
  15. "Daily Post's parent company changes name". Gwinnett Daily Post. March 5, 2010. Retrieved August 9, 2013.
  16. "Banks' Bid on Young Stations Clears Hurdle" Archived 2010-06-23 at the Wayback Machine, from broadcastingcable.com, 7/22/2009
  17. "Gray to manage most Young stations" Archived 2009-07-30 at the Wayback Machine, from rbr.com, 7/22/2009
  18. Who's Really Running Young Broadcasting?" from tvnewscheck.com, 2/1/2011
  19. "Gray Buying Yellowstone Stations". TVNewsCheck. Archived from the original on 4 November 2013. Retrieved 4 November 2013.
  20. "Gray Buying Hoak, Prime Stations For $342.5M". TVNewsCheck. Archived from the original on 2 December 2013. Retrieved 20 November 2013.
  21. Gray Sell Grand Junction Duop To Nexstar Archived 2013-12-19 at the Wayback Machine, "TVNewsCheck", 19 December 2013
  22. Paxson, Ann Thomas (March 25, 2014). "Re: Prime Cities Broadcasting, Inc. Request for Dismissal of Group Application for Assignment of Broadcast Station License(s)…" (PDF). CDBS Public Access. Federal Communications Commission. Archived from the original on March 27, 2014. Retrieved March 26, 2014.
  23. Gray closes Hoak deal; completes refinancing. Archived 2014-07-29 at the Wayback Machine, rbr.com, Retrieved 13 June 2014.
  24. Press Release Archived 2014-07-14 at the Wayback Machine from Gray Television, 13 June 2014
  25. "Gray Buys Stations in Flint, Toledo For $128M". TVNewsCheck. 24 July 2014. Archived from the original on 30 July 2014. Retrieved 24 July 2014.
  26. Baird, Kirk (29 August 2014). "TV in the news Channels 24, 13 expanding newscasts; CW13 to replace WT05". The Toledo Blade. Archived from the original on 5 September 2014. Retrieved 31 August 2014.
  27. Gray Closes on Flint, Toledo Station Buys Archived 2014-09-16 at the Wayback Machine, TVNewsCheck, Retrieved 15 September 2014
  28. "Schurz Communications to sell WSBT and other TV, radio stations". South Bend Tribune. September 14, 2015. Retrieved September 14, 2015.
  29. Kuperberg, Jonathan (September 14, 2015). "Gray Acquiring TV, Radio Stations from Schurz for $442.5 Million". Broadcasting & Cable. Archived from the original on September 17, 2015. Retrieved September 14, 2015.
  30. "Press Releases". Gray Television. Archived from the original on 2016-05-28.
  31. "KCRG-TV9 sold to Gray Television", KCRG.com, Cedar Rapids, Iowa: Gazette Communications, September 1, 2015, archived from the original on September 3, 2015, retrieved September 1, 2015
  32. "Gray TV Launches DC News Bureau". Adweek. Retrieved 2018-06-25.
  33. McAdams, Deborah D. (February 2, 2015). "Gray Opens Washington, D.C. News Bureau". TV Technology. NewBay Media. Archived from the original on September 23, 2016. Retrieved September 21, 2016.
  34. "Gray Buying WDTV-WVFX Clarksburg, WV". TVNewsCheck. May 13, 2016. Archived from the original on May 13, 2018. Retrieved May 13, 2016.
  35. "Gray Buying Two Nexstar Spinoffs For $270M". TVNewsCheck. Archived from the original on 6 August 2017. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
  36. Marszalek, Diana (2016-06-03). "Gray Buys Nexstar Stations in Green Bay, Davenport". Broadcasting & Cable. NewBay Media, LLC. Archived from the original on 2016-06-05. Retrieved 2016-06-18.
  37. Diana Marszalek, Gray Buys Diversified's Stations in Bangor, Gainesville Broadcasting & Cable, February 16, 2017
  38. "Gray Buying CBS Affil WCAX Burlington, Vt". TVNewsCheck. Archived from the original on 3 August 2017. Retrieved 4 May 2017.
  39. "WCAX sold to Gray Television". WCAX.com. Archived from the original on May 8, 2017. Retrieved May 4, 2017.
  40. Saul, Emily (2017-04-13). "Pranksters sued by TV company over morning show antics". Archived from the original on 10 April 2018. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
  41. "Meet the comedy duo who got sued for pranking the news". VICE News. Retrieved 2018-06-25.
  42. Jacobson, Adam (2018-09-14). "Gray's Legacy Grows In Nebraska". Radio & Television Business Report. Retrieved 2018-10-28.
  43. Hufford, Austen (2018-06-25). "Gray TV to Buy Raycom in $3.65 Billion Deal". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved 2018-06-25.
  44. Hayes, Dade (2018-06-25). "Gray Acquiring Raycom For $3.65B, Forming No. 3 Local TV Group". Deadline. Retrieved 2018-06-25.
  45. "Gray To Buy Raycom For $3.6 Billion". TVNewsCheck.com. Retrieved 2018-06-26.
  46. "Memorandum Opinion and Order", Media Bureau, Federal Communications Commission, 20 December 2018, Retrieved 20 December 2018.
  47. "FCC OK with Gray/Raycom Merger", Broadcasting & Cable, 20 December 2018, Retrieved 20 December 2018.
  48. "FCC Approves Gray-Raycom Merger", TVNewsCheck, 20 December 2018, Retrieved 20 December 2018.
  49. "Gray Receives Regulatory Approvals for Raycom Media and Divestiture Transactions", Gray Television, 20 December 2018, Retrieved 20 December 2018.
  50. "Gray Completes Acquisitions for Raycom Media and Related Transactions", Gray Television, 2 January 2019, Retrieved 2 January 2019.
  51. Jessell, Harry A. (April 24, 2019). "Gray Teams With Grand Ole Opry On TV Network". TV News Check. Archived from the original on April 27, 2019. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
  52. Hudak, Joseph (December 11, 2019). "Circle TV Network Lineup Announced: Opry Live, Elizabeth Cook Series - Rolling Stone". TV News Check. Archived from the original on December 11, 2019. Retrieved December 23, 2019.
  53. Goldsmith, Jill (February 1, 2021). "Gray Television Acquires Quincy Media For $925 Million In Cash". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  54. "Gray Sees Young Stations As Possible Buy", from tvnewscheck.com, 3/1/2011
  55. Johnson, Ted (2019-04-08). "Greta Van Susteren to Launch 'Full Court Press' for Gray Television". Variety. Retrieved 2019-09-06.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.