Today Gray Television announced a deal to acquire Raycom Media to become the 3rd largest owners of broadcast TV stations. With this deal, the new company will own 142 full-power television stations in 92 markets. The deal is worth $3.46 billion and Wells Fargo will finance $2.525 billion of the deal.
“Today we announce the transformation of Gray Television into a true leader in the broadcast television industry,” said Hilton H. Howell, Jr., Gray’s Chairman, President and CEO. “Combining our company with the excellent Raycom stations and the superb Raycom employees will create a powerhouse local media operation. Together, this new portfolio of leading local media outlets will
excel at what they do best, which is to provide the local news that local communities trust, the entertainment and sports content that viewers crave, and the incredible reach that advertisers demand. Indeed, this is a transaction in which there can be no doubt that local community standards will be honored and embraced. We are excited to welcome the dedicated reporters, account executives, and technologists of Raycom to our growing corporate family. On behalf of the Board, our employees, and our investors, I convey our deepest gratitude to Jim Ryan and Kevin Latek for leading our efforts on this momentous, transformative transaction.”
According to Gray Television, they will sell off 9 stations to help clear any regulatory objections. All of these stations are in markets that Gray and Raycom both own a local affiliate in. The good news for cord cutters is that this should have no impact on their existing deals with live TV streaming services like Hulu.
Here is a map of all the markets Raycom and Gray own stations in:
“We are thrilled to be joining Gray Television as we share the same core values of journalistic excellence and community service,” said Pat LaPlatney, Raycom Media’s President and
CEO. “Together, we will be a stronger, more impactful force for our audiences, advertisers, and communities. I have tremendous respect for the way Hilton Howell and Gray Television have grown
their portfolio with a focus on localism. I look forward to working alongside Hilton and the wonderfully talented people of Gray Television as the combined entities create an even greater
opportunity for growth as a leader in the broadcast industry. I also want to extend a special thank you to Paul McTear, Becky Sheffield, Ellenann Yelverton and the entire Raycom team for their
tireless efforts on this transaction.”
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