DToTheJ
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« on: May 22, 2012, 05:08:20 PM » |
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Hubbard Broadcasting is looking into purchasing Tribune Broadcasting properties - including the former "Superstation" based in Chicago. http://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/news/2012/05/22/hubbard-may-buy-tribune-radio-tv.html |
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mrschimpf
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« Reply #1 on: May 22, 2012, 05:25:22 PM » |
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That would be one way to get full national distribution for ReelzChannel if true, merge SWGN with them. At this point, SWGN is running on fumes with the failure of Randy Michaels's strategy a few years back, and if not for their WGN news broadcasts and Chicago sports, it basically acts as Comedy Central 2 at this point. Merging theirs and Reelz's schedule should be no sweat at all, though keeping them as two separate networks with shared content also works.
I would think there's no way Trib lets go their crown jewels though (WGN-TV, WPIX, KTLA, KSWB and the Hartford cluster), but their smaller stations would be perfect for Hubbard, and at this point the way WGN Radio is (I'm down to Nick Digilio and that's it there; their 'perfect Chicago radio lineup...in 1988' has zero appeal outside of boomers), Hubbard can only help that operation.
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DToTheJ
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« Reply #2 on: May 22, 2012, 06:31:15 PM » |
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Don't forget KWGN in Denver!
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ding12
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« Reply #3 on: May 22, 2012, 10:54:21 PM » |
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On the Tv side, I think the most important assets would be WPIX, KTLA, WGN 9 and WGN cable. CBS might want WGN 9 for a Chicago duopoly. The local channel could get new calls like WTBS which was split from the cable counterpart.
WPIX and KTLA could be sold together to another major company, as well as WGN cable.
After these are sold, remaining stations could be sold to the same company that bought WPIX/KTLA or broadcasters of each market. Like in DC, Gannett or Allbritton might be interested in the Tribune station there. In Philly, maybe Fox would go for the duopoly.
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« Last Edit: May 22, 2012, 10:58:05 PM by ding12 »
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1069_KIFR
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« Reply #4 on: May 23, 2012, 12:03:20 AM » |
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Don't Forget KWGN in Denver!!!
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mrschimpf
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« Reply #5 on: May 23, 2012, 02:03:29 AM » |
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Don't forget KWGN in Denver!
In the past, it would definitely be among Tribune's crown jewels. These days, it's the little brother to KDVR as part of the Local TV LMA (they still haven't recovered from The Deuce era in the Randymization of Tribune where their newsroom was merged and suffered heavy attrition on the KWGN side). It looks more likely to go to Local TV than with Hubbard, which has no history in the area. |
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Dave
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« Reply #6 on: May 23, 2012, 03:40:10 AM » |
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On the Tv side, I think the most important assets would be WPIX, KTLA, WGN 9 and WGN cable. CBS might want WGN 9 for a Chicago duopoly. The local channel could get new calls like WTBS which was split from the cable counterpart.
WPIX and KTLA could be sold together to another major company, as well as WGN cable.
After these are sold, remaining stations could be sold to the same company that bought WPIX/KTLA or broadcasters of each market. Like in DC, Gannett or Allbritton might be interested in the Tribune station there. In Philly, maybe Fox would go for the duopoly.
For me living in the Chicago DMA, I hope CBS doesn't get WGN-TV. They would get rid of the news on that station to eliminate competition. Their news on their CBS O&O station (WBBM-TV) doesn't quite do well in the ratings (better than Fox O&O WFLD, who is last in the news ratings for morning, midday, & late evening). I personally don't want to see CBS or ABC/Disney acquiring WGN-TV, just because news would be eliminated, & become a dumping ground for extra programming they pick up. Getting separated from the Chicago Tribune would almost guarantee they'll lose access to the additional news the newspaper gets.
I wonder who would acquire Antenna TV if Tribune is sold off in pieces. I can't see Weigel Broadcasting acquiring it, as they already have MeTV. Say it did happen, Antenna TV would be eliminated, & the Sony library would be in Weigel's hands (they don't have national access to the Sony library, like they do for just Chicago). The other option would be if Weigel acquired Antenna TV is to turn it into a national MeToo, & make MeTV comedy only & MeToo drama only (like they did when MeTV was just in Chicago). I really don't see that happening though. Besides, if Antenna TV were eliminated by merging with MeTV, Weigel & MGM would have to deal with the affiliations as to who would keep MeTV outside of Chicago, Milwaukee, & South Bend, IN.
I just hope Tribune stays together somehow. |
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ding12
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« Reply #7 on: May 23, 2012, 07:05:35 AM » |
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CBS buying out WGN would be bad for Chicago and reduces competition. Best case would be them not involved but Hubbard or another would buy out Tribune and keep the top3, WGN cable, stake in Antenna but probably divest any stations from DMA 4 and more to reduce the final debt.
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« Last Edit: May 23, 2012, 07:07:07 AM by ding12 »
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bpatrick
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« Reply #8 on: May 23, 2012, 07:56:03 AM » |
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Nobody's mentioned WGNO (ABC) New Orleans; how
would that fit Hubbard? And does anybody in the Big
Easy want to see WVUE return to ABC?
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mgsports
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« Reply #9 on: May 23, 2012, 08:26:40 AM » |
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Disney can buy it so Hawk can join ESPN Baseball Coverage or let Comcast buy it.
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