Going Up

GOING UP
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: Mark Fratrik, BIA Financial Network]
[Commentary] During the past six months, several large television groups have become even larger. With LIN Television, Grey Television, and SJL Communications acquiring most of the Emmis television stations, Raycom TV Broadcasting acquiring the Liberty stations, and Media General recently acquiring some of the mid-market NBC stations, transaction activity has risen to a level not seen since the late 1990s and early 2000s. These acquisitions are prime examples of groups' responding to competitive challenges by logically merging assets to improve revenue and cash-flow performance. It's also a show of their commitment to the television business. However, without further relaxation of FCC ownership rules, there will be fewer opportunities for these groups to continue such rapid growth. Specifically, groups with properties in midsize and smaller markets recognize tremendous opportunities in acquiring other stations in their markets, but they cannot move forward because of continuing regulatory rules. Nearly three years after the FCC proposed ownership regulatory relief for TV stations in these markets, no final action has been taken, and the outlook for quick action remains bleak.
http://broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6327136.html?display=Special+Report

* Top 25 Station Groups at a Glance
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John M. Higgins and George Winslow]
B&C's annual list of the top owners of local TV stations in the US. The top 10 are CBS, Fox, Ion Media Networks (Paxson), NBC, Tribune, ABC, Universal, Gannett, Trinity Broadcasting and Hearst-Argyle. See the URL below for the entire list and a look at the deals that have shaped it.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6327137.html?display=Feature&...