New Owners For KHSL, KNVN Chico-Redding

USA Television Holdings and Maxair Media have entered into separate agreements to buy KHSL and KNVN Chico-Redding, Calif. (DMA 132), respectively. KHSL is Chico’s CBS affiliate and also airs the CW network on a multicast channel. KNVN is the NBC and Telemundo affiliate in the market. USA Television is jointly owned by Heartland Media and MSouth Equity Partners.

Under the terms of the purchase agreements, USA Television will acquire KHSL from GOCOM Media of Northern California and Maxair will acquire KNVN from K4 Media Holdings.

Upon consummation of the acquisitions, USA Television and Maxair intend to enter into agreements whereby USA Television will provide certain non-programming, operational and technical services to Maxair and sell up to 15% of KNVN’s weekly advertising time.

USA Television owns four television stations in three markets: Eugene, Ore.; Medford-Klamath Falls, Ore.; and Tupelo, Miss. Heartland Media also owns NBC affil WKTV Utica, N.Y.  “Chico-Redding is a natural complement to our operations in the adjacent Eugene and Medford markets,” said Bob Prather, USA Television’s CEO. “Under GOCOM’s stewardship, KHSL has thrived as Chico’s No. 1-rated news station and USA Television is anxious to enhance that leading local position even further.”

“We feel like these two stations are among the best small market TV stations in the country and that the new owners will only enhance that status with more resources,” said Richard Gorman, president of GOCOM Broadcasting. “They are inheriting a very talented team in Chico-Redding.”

Maxair is owned by veteran broadcaster Dan Modisett. “Maxair is excited to enter the Chico-Redding market and looks forward to continuing to provide KNVN’s viewers with quality news, entertainment and community service,” he said.

The transactions are subject to FCC approval, which is expected to occur in mid-fall.