It solidifies its position as nation’s largest TV spectrum operator by adding stations in Los Angeles (purchased from Sunbelt Television) and Cleveland, Indianapolis, Columbus and Dayton (from Trinity Broadcasting).
Ion Media Buys Five Full-Power Stations
Ion Media today announced the further expansion of its station group with the purchase of five full-power UHF TV stations:
- KILM Los Angeles (DMA 2)
- WDLI Cleveland (DMA 19)
- WCLJ Indianapolis (DMA 28)
- WSFJ Columbus, Ohio (DMA 34)
- WKOI Dayton, Ohio (DMA 64)
Ion acquired KILM Los Angeles from Sunbelt Television and the remaining stations from the Trinity Broadcasting Network. Prices were not disclosed.
The five stations, which cover more than 9.1 million TV households, add to Ion’s industry-leading broadcast reach, giving the company 70 full-power stations in 61 markets, making it the only network with owned-and-operated stations in 40 of the top 50 markets.
“These acquisitions follow through on our commitment to invest in Ion’s broadcast television growth story,” said Brandon Burgess, Ion chairman-CEO. “Over-the-air and over-the-top are the two fastest growing wireless delivery platforms for affordable quality television content. Our focus on UHF spectrum and quality content will allow us to best provide both OTA and OTT services to value-oriented distribution partners and consumers.”
Ion said the transactions “reinforce Ion Media’s position as the largest U.S. holder of full power broadcast TV spectrum, covering 1.3 billion MHz-pops and 225 million people nationwide across all key metropolitan areas, in the advent of wireless spectrum innovation and development.”
As part of the transactions, Ion also acquired five broadcast towers from Trinity, in support of an expeditious spectrum repack of Ion’s stations, to conclude the Broadcast Incentive Spectrum Auction in coordination with the FCC.
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Comments (1)
2018bstyrevr says:
September 27, 2018 at 7:47 am
The home of worthless repeats and paid programming