The CW Network has signed a new long-term affiliation agreement with Media General, Inc. for its station WISH-TV in Indianapolis, IN, effective January 1, 2015. The announcement was made today by Chris Brooks, Senior Vice President, Network Distribution, The CW, and Vincent L. Sadusky, President and Chief Executive Officer, Media General.
“We welcome the CW network to our new prime time,” said WISH-TV president and general manager Les Vann. “This original and dynamic line-up of programming will drive new audiences to WISH-TV and our newscasts, and deliver key demographics to our advertisers.”
The deal was made after Tribune Media sold the CW affiliation to Media General, specific financial terms of that transaction were not disclosed.
"We are pleased to have reached this agreement, which is financially accretive to Tribune Media and good for The CW network with whom we remain a strong partner," said Peter Liguori, Tribune Media's President and Chief Executive Officer. "This transaction underscores our sharp focus on consistently improving the value of our broadcasting portfolio and on driving profitability for our business."
Beginning January 1, Indianapolis-area viewers will be able to watch The CW's Golden Globe-nominated comedy JANE THE VIRGIN, the runaway hit series THE FLASH, which recently scored the largest premiere audience CW history, as well at the network's other hit primetime series, including ARROW, SUPERNATURAL, WHOSE LINE IS IT ANYWAY?, and THE VAMPIRE DIARIES over the air on WISH-TV, channel 8. The CW was previously carried in Indianapolis on Tribune Broadcasting's WTTV-TV, which recently reached an affiliation agreement with CBS Television Network set to begin January 1.
The CW was scheduled to move from its current location on Channel 4 to Tribune Media's digital multicast channel WTTV 4.2. This move would have resulted in a loss of approximately half of The CW's Indianapolis household distribution since .2 networks are not carried by telecom or satellite providers in this market.
"We're thrilled to expand our current relationship with Media General to now serve the Indianapolis market," said Brooks. "WISH-TV has such a rich, storied history here in Indianapolis and strong connection with their audience, and we're so happy to welcome them to The CW family."
"Today's announcement marks a new era for WISH-TV," said Sadusky. "CW programming draws a younger demographic, which is a new audience for that station. Through this agreement, we also have the flexibility to significantly enhance our award-winning local news coverage and unique local programming on WISH-TV."
The CW Network Saves WISH-TV From Independence
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