Gray Renews, Expands CW Affiliations

Gray Television and The CW Network today announced a multi-year extension of their affiliation agreements, covering 23 markets around the country. The agreements include four new Gray stations to carry The CW in Madison, Wis. (DMA 81); Fargo, N. D. (DMA 115); Alexandria, La. (DMA 179); and Laredo, Texas (DMA 184). 

Between its existing CW stations and new affiliations, as well as the completion of several station acquisitions, Gray will own and operate CW affiliates serving 23 markets, making it the owner of the second-largest number of CW stations in the country.

“Over the past two years, we have aggressively grown and expanded our CW portfolio,” said Gray CEO Hilton H. Howell Jr. “Meanwhile, The CW’s continuing ratings increases and program successes have made CW’s programming more valuable to our audiences, clients, and MVPD partners. We are therefore thrilled to again take a bold step forward with The CW through several new affiliations as well as a longer and stronger relationship with the network.”

“Gray has been a tremendous affiliate partner for The CW, and we are delighted to extend and further expand our relationship with them,” said Chris Brooks, SVP, network distribution, The CW. “We look forward to continued growth and shared success with Gray Television, working together with their existing CW stations as well as in the new markets around the country.”

The CW affiliates currently owned by Gray and those that Gray is acquiring are WBXX in Knoxville, Tenn.; WKYT-D2 in Lexington, Ky.; KSCW in Wichita, Kan.; WQCW in Charleston, W. Va.; KCZ in Springfield, Mo.; WTVG-D2 in Toledo, Ohio; KWTX-D2/KBTX-D2 in Waco, Texas; KSFY-D2 in Sioux Falls, S.D.; WAGT-D2 in Augusta, Ga.; KNOE-D3 in Monroe, La.; WSWG-D3 in Albany, Ga.; WJHG-D2 in Panama City, Fla.; WTVY-D3 in Dothan, Ala.; WBKO-D3 in Bowling Green, Ky.; KYLX-LD2 in Laredo, Texas (which launched in October 2015); KJCT-LD2 in Grand Junction, Colo.; WTOK-D3 in Meridian, Miss.; KMVT-D2 in Twin Falls, Idaho; KCWY-D2 in Casper, Wyo.; and KGWN-D3 in Cheyenne, Wyo.  At the beginning of the 2016/17 television season, Gray will launch new CW affiliates on WMVT-D2 in Madison, Wis.; KXJB-D2 in Fargo, N.D.; and KALB-D3 in Alexandria, La.