Gray Buying KOSA Odessa For $33.6 Million

Gray Television today said it is buying CBS affiliate KOSA Odessa-Midland, Texas (DMA 146), from Investment Company of America for $33.6 million in cash.

According to the most recent Nielsen and BIA data, KOSA has achieved the highest all-day ratings of any station in the Odessa-Midland DMA over the past year as well as the largest share of advertising revenue. Between 2014 and 2015, the Odessa-Midland DMA grew by four market ranks, more than any other market in the country.

“Gray is thrilled to be selected by the esteemed local owners of KOSA-TV/CBS7 to become the new steward of the leading media institution in the rapidly growing Odessa-Midland area,” said Hilton Howell, Gray’s president-CEO. “Gray will build upon the station’s strong foundation and enviable record of success to further propel CBS7 to dominance in its local market. We are also excited to expand our portfolio with a fourth No. 1-ranked CBS affiliate in Texas.”

John Bushman, the chairman of ICA, said: “CBS7 is an integral part of the dynamic communities in which our family has lived, worked, and grown for decades. We welcome Gray to Odessa with the knowledge that its values, resources and portfolio of similar stations will ensure that CBS7 continues providing strong journalism, community leadership, and workplace excellence for many more decades to come.”

Gray said the transaction advances its “transformative growth strategy as we continue to acquire quality assets in attractive markets. As such, the transaction is consistent with our strategy of enhancing shareholder value through select acquisitions of market-leading stations that share the culture and values of our existing television stations.”

Including expected synergies, the transaction purchase price represents a multiple of approximately 6.9 times a blended average of the station’s 2014-15 pro forma broadcast cash flow, according to Gray.

As such, Gray’s acquisition of KOSA will be immediately free cash flow accretive to Gray. Gray plans to finance the transaction with cash on hand.

The transaction is subject to receipt of regulatory and other approvals and is expected to close in the third quarter of 2015.

Kalil & Co. represented ICA in this transaction.