Gray Media and the E. W. Scripps Company have announced a strategic swap of television stations in five mid-sized and smaller U.S. markets, a move designed to strengthen each company’s regional footprint and create new duopolies.
The station exchanges are intended to provide both companies with enhanced market scale and operational efficiency, enabling them to deepen their commitment to local news and sports programming. Executives from both broadcasters said the deals will allow them to better serve their communities while reinforcing long-term financial stability.
As part of the agreement, Gray will acquire the following stations from Scripps:
- WSYM (Channel 47, Fox) in Lansing, Michigan
- KATC (Channel 3, ABC) in Lafayette, Louisiana
And Scripps will get the following stations from Gray:
- KKTV (Channel 11, CBS) in Colorado Springs
- KKCO (Channel 11.3, Telemundo) in Colorado Springs
- KJCT-LP (Channel 8, ABC) in Grand Junction, Colorado
- KMVT (Channel 11, CBS) in Twin Falls, Idaho
- KSVT-LD (Channel 14, Fox) in Twin Falls, Idaho
The swap will create duopolies in many of the affected markets where Scripps or Gray already own stations, the companies said. The swap was designated as an even trade, with no cash exchanging hands.
“We are very pleased to be executing a successful set of station swaps with Scripps that brings great value to both companies,” said Gray President and co-CEO Pat LaPlatney. “At Gray, due to the strategic nature of these two acquisitions and the benefits to our operations, we anticipate expanding the news staff and hours of live local newscasts on both stations soon after closing the acquisitions.”
“These new stations will allow Scripps to expand upon our local sports and news strategies in key growth geographies for us,” said Scripps President and CEO Adam Symson. “The resulting efficiencies will allow us to further invest in our connection to our communities, offering even richer coverage of these neighborhoods and regions.”
