Tegna Completes Acquisition Of Dispatch Stations
The $535 million deal for WTHR Indianapolis and WBNS-AM-FM-TV Columbus, Ohio, closes.
Tegna Buying Dispatch’s WTHR, WBNS For $535M
In addition to the NBC affiliate in Indianapolis and CBS affiliate in Columbus, Ohio, it’s also getting WBNS-AM-FM in Columbus.
Dispatch Stations Return To DirecTV, U-Verse
A month-long retrans impasse between AT&T and Dispatch Broadcast Group has been settled. A new three-year renewal has returned Dispatch’s CBS affiliate WBNS Columbus, Ohio, and NBC affiliate WTHR Indianapolis to DirecTV and U-Verse. Terms were not announced. DirecTV also ended its dispute with Denali Media Holdings.
WTHR, WBNS Off Of DirecTV, U-Verse
Dispatch Broadcast Group’s WTHR Indianapolis (NBC) and WBNS Columbus, Ohio (CBS) are now off of DirecTV and AT&T U-verse. In a statement, Dispatch said that it “has completed numerous retransmission agreements in the past 12 months at fair market rates without any service interruption. Unfortunately, after offering an extension last Friday to hopefully reach a fair market deal, the deadline to reach a fair agreement with DirecTV and AT&T U-verse has passed, resulting in the interruption of service …. We will continue to work towards a fair agreement with DirecTV and AT&T U-verse and hope to resolve this situation as soon as possible.”
Dispatch Stations Both On YouTube TV
WTHR Indianapolis and WBNS Columbus, Ohio, are now carried on the local live-streaming subscription TV service.
The satellite provider is up against a 11:59 P.M. deadline today with Raycom and is also facing losing two Dispatch Broadcast Group stations on Friday.
Exclusives
2016 Revenue: $100.7 million Stations: 3 stations in 2 markets Coverage: 1.8% Ownership: Private Key Executives: Michael J. Fiorile, vice chairman-CEO, Dispatch Printing Co.; Larry Delia, president, Dispatch Broadcast Group. What’s Up: Last October, the broadcast arm of Dispatch Printing Co. promoted Larry Delia, the GM of its Indianapolis stations, WTHR and WALV, to group president, adding oversight of its Columbus, Ohio, […]
The broadcast arm of Dispatch Printing Co. promotes Larry Delia, the GM of its Indianapolis stations, to president , adding oversight of its Columbus, Ohio, CBS affiliate.
Two Dispatch Stations Add ComScore Ratings
WTHR Indianapolis and WBNS Columbus, Ohio, are the station group’s latest to add the local ratings service.
23. DISPATCH BROADCAST GROUP, Columbus, Ohio 2015 Revenue: $87.9 million Stations: 2 stations in 2 markets Coverage: 1.8% Ownership: Private Key Executives: Michael J. Fiorile, vice chairman-CEO; John Cardenas, VP of news and president-GM, WBNS Columbus, Ohio; Larry Delia, president-GM, WTHR Indianapolis.
Owner Dispatch Broadcast Group and the satellite carrier reach a multi-year deal.
The Dispatch Broadcast Group veteran is also named the group’s vice president of news.
Having failed to reach a new retransmission consent agreement with Dispatch Broadcast Group, Dish had to drop its two stations today — WTHR (NBC) Indianaoplis and WBNS Columbus, Ohio (CBS). Dispatch is seeking “exorbitant” hikes in retrans fees, Dish says. Its demands are “fair and reasonable,” counters Dispatch.
The group will combine the resources of its Columbus, Ohio, and Indianapolis stations, newspaper and websites to provide a range of programming on the political conventions, national and local issues, free airtime for candidates and election night coverage.
WTHR Sets Itself Apart With Serious News
The Dispatch Broadcast Group’s NBC affiliate in Indianapolis has a clear goal — to be the best station in the country — and a strong strategy to accomplish it: a total commitment to enterprise and investigative reporting. It’s working as its RTDNA, DuPont-Columbia and Peabody awards this year attest. And it’s No. 1 in the ratings, too.
Local News Must Be More Than Weather
Stations must also distinguish themselves when the forecast is clear and sunny and there is no gunman running amok downtown. Too few do. With the recession behind and a strong 2012 ahead, my hope is that every station owner and manager sets aside more money this year for enterprise reporting and that it pays off in great stories that bring honors to the station, the group and to broadcasting. I also hope they pay off in higher ratings and revenue.
WorldNow, an online technology, content and revenue-solutions company for local media, today announced it has signed multi-year extensions with Midwest TV, Dispatch Broadcast Group and Saga Communications. Midwest TV’s extension covers both its TV and radio properties. Dispatch’s extension is for WTHR Indianapolis, and Saga’s is for its KOAM-KFJX Joplin, Mo., and WXVT Greenwood, Miss. […]
