The stations include a full power station in El Paso, Texas, and 12 low power outlets in 10 markets. Terms were not disclosed.
NBCU Buying 13 Telemundo Affils From ZGS
NBCU’s Telemundo Station Group is buying 13 mostly low power Telemundo affiliates in 10 markets from ZGS Communications, it was announced late yesterday afternoon.
The purchase price was not disclosed.
“The ZGS stations have long been an important part of Telemundo’s success,” said Valari Staab, president, NBCUniversal Owned Television Stations, of which the Telemundo group is a part. “We are excited to welcome these great stations and talented people to the NBCUniversal family.”
“ZGS has been an excellent partner to Telemundo for many years. We share a mission of informing and empowering Hispanic communities with local news and entertainment. We look forward to continuing this longstanding mission and extending the resources of NBCUniversal to these stations,” added Manuel Martinez, president, Telemundo Station Group.
Ronald Gordon, chairman-CEO of ZGS Communications, said he was happy the stations are “finding the perfect home to continue growing and serving the Hispanic community, which has been our mission and privilege for the past 35 years.”
ZGS Communications currently owns and operates a full-power Telemundo-affiliate, KTDO El Paso, Texas (DMA 93), market and Class A stations WZDC-CD Washington (DMA 6); WRDM-CA Hartford, Conn. (DMA 32); WMVJ-CA Orlando, Fla. (DMA 18); WRMD-CD Tampa, Fla. (DMA 13); WWDT-CD Ft. Myers, Fla. (DMA 56); WRIW-CA Providence, R.I. (DMA 52); and WZGS Raleigh, N.C. (DMA 25), as well as low-power stations serving Springfield, Mass., and Richmond, Va.
BRAND CONNECTIONS
The first set of FCC applications jointly filed by the Telemundo Station Group and ZGS covers the stations in El Paso, Orlando, Tampa, Ft. Myers, Richmond and Springfield. In the coming weeks, the parties plan to file applications for the stations located in Washington, Hartford, Providence and Raleigh.
Comments (3)
Cheryl Daly says:
December 4, 2017 at 7:14 pm
I reside equidistant between the Hartford and Springfield markets and neither WRDM or WDMR throw out enough power to lock in consistent, reliable reception. Low power TV stations in hilly New England don’t have much of a reach, at least with indoor antennas. The channels are either black screens or are unwatchable due to having too many video and audio drop outs.
Kristina Veltri says:
December 4, 2017 at 8:20 pm
It’s all about cable carriage in that market; they know it (I tested reception of a station in a Northampton hotel room with line-of-sight to Mount Tom; nothing). At least this answers the question if WDMR retains Telemundo in Springfield.
george willingmyre says:
December 5, 2017 at 11:24 am
That’s what 3.0 is all about, it will allow digitally-challenged LPTV stations to cover the market as well as a Full Power and for that very reason alone it’s a great move by NBCUniversal. Yes, there is a period until implementation but it’s coming.