In the wake of LIN Media losing its CBS affiliateion on WISH-TV in Indianapolis, and Tribune renewing all of its CBS affiliation agreements, CBS Corporation and Gray Television today announced a comprehensive, long-term agreement that renews all 26 of Gray's existing station affiliation agreements, which includes 22 markets nationwide.
"Gray has been a key partner for many years, so we are excited to sign this deal, which ensures marketplace continuity for both companies as well as the more than four million CBS households that together we serve nationwide," said Ray Hopkins, President, Television Networks Distribution, CBS Corporation. "A majority of Gray-owned CBS stations are #1 in the markets they serve, and we are pleased that in extending this deal, Gray sees the value CBS programming brings to their business."
"Gray's stations, management, and employees have enjoyed a deep relationship with CBS that dates back many decades," said Gray CEO Hilton H. Howell, Jr. "We are pleased to extend that relationship today. The new agreement ensures that Gray and CBS will continue to serve our local viewers with high-quality network and local programming, and this agreement allows us to continue to grow and strengthen our relationship with CBS for the foreseeable future."
The agreement includes early renewals for 26 Gray-owned CBS affiliates: WVLT-TV in Knoxville, Tenn.; WKYT-TV and WYMT-TV in Lexington, Ky.; KWTX-TV and KBTX-TV in Waco, Texas; KKTV in Colorado Springs, Colo.; KOLN and KGIN in Lincoln, Neb.; WCTV in Tallahassee, Fla.; WRDW-TV in Augusta, Ga.; KVLY-TV in Fargo, N.D.; WIBW-TV in Topeka, Kan.; WSAW-TV in Wausau, Wis.; WIFR in Rockford, Ill.; KNOE-TV in Monroe, La.; WSWG in Albany, Ga.; WECP in Panama City, Fla.; KXII in Sherman, Texas; WTVY in Dothan, Ala.; WSVF in Harrisonburg, Va.; KALB-TV in Alexandria, La.; WCAV in Charlottesville, Va.; WIYE in Parkersburg, W.V.; KGWN-TV and KSTF in Cheyenne, Wyo.; and KNPL in North Platte, Neb.
Gray also announced today that it has entered into agreements with Fox Broadcasting Company that extend and renew the network affiliations for all of Gray's FOX Network affiliated stations.
"Gray looks forward to continuing its successful relationship with FOX," said Gray CEO Hilton H. Howell, Jr. "In addition to the new agreements announced today, we are also proud to have increased the number of FOX affiliated stations in our portfolio from five stations in five markets to ten stations serving eight markets in just the past four months."
The stations covered by the new affiliation agreements are KNDX/KXND in Bismarck/Minot, North Dakota; KXII in Sherman, Texas; KEVN/KIVV in Rapid City, South Dakota; WSVF in Harrisonburg, Virginia; WBKO in Bowling Green, Kentucky; WCAV in Charlottesville, Virginia; WOVA in Parkersburg, West Virginia; and KIIT in North Platte, Nebraska.
