WUPW-WTOL Off Buckeye CableSystem
Unable to reach a new retrans deal, American Spirit Media had Buckeye CableSystem take its Fox and CBS affiliates off the cable system’s lineup yesterday.
Buckeye Cablevision Inc. filed a lawsuit Thursday against WUPW, its owner Amercan Spirit Media, and Raycom Media, which owns WTOL in the market. The lawsuit stems from a disagreement over whether Buckeye should pay more to broadcast WUPW, which carries Fox network programming.
The sign is already there: “Toledo News Now.” That should become official late today with the expected finalized agreement between American Spirit Media, the new owner of WUPW, and Raycom Media, owners and operators of WTOL. Under terms of the deal, WTOL will handle WUPW’s news programming.
FCC OKs WUPW Sale; Layoffs Look Likely
The $22 million sale of LIN’s Toledo, Ohio, Fox affiliate to American Spirit Media got FCC approval on Monday. A service-sharing agreement with Raycom CBS affiliate WTOL attached to the sale allows the stations to share news staff and broadcasts.
The layoffs are expected to take place between April 24 and May 8, according to a letter from LIN Media, which is buying the Fox affiliate, to Ohio’s Office of Workforce Development. LIN said that is when it expects to receive regulatory approval and close the sale.
LIN Sells WUPW To Thomas Henson For $22M
As he has in at least three other markets, Henson will enter into a shared services agreement with Raycom Media so that Raycom can run Toledo, Ohio, Fox affiliate WUPW in tandem with its CBS affil WTOL.
