Raycom Completes Purchase Of WVUE

Raycom Media on Tuesday completed its $51.8 million purchase of Fox affiliate WVUE New Orleans (DMA 50), from Tom Benson’s Louisiana Media Co. Since 2013, Louisiana Media and Raycom had a shared service agreement that allowed Raycom to provide operational services for the station.

“The partnership has been terrific with Tom Benson, Dennis Lauscha and Louisiana Media Co.,” said Pat LaPlatney, Raycom Media president-CEO. “Like Mr. Benson, Raycom Media is committed to the people of New Orleans and Louisiana. That will not change. Raycom Media is very proud of our heritage in Louisiana. We look forward to continuing to provide the New Orleans community with the highest quality journalism from our team at WVUE Fox 8.”

“Thanks to investment and the dedication of the WVUE Fox 8 staff, we have accomplished the goals of growing our viewership, becoming an award-winning leader in local television and being of great service to the viewers in New Orleans,” said Benson, adding, “Raycom Media has been an excellent partner and I am confident that WVUE Fox 8 will continue to grow and have a healthy and influential future in the New Orleans market. I wish them the best moving forward.”