WADL (Channel 38) is an independent television station in Detroit, Michigan. It is owned by Adell Broadcasting, and is co-operated with the international religious broadcast outlet The Word Network.
Exclusive: Months after Mission Broadcasting announced it would not proceed with the purchase of WADL-TV, Detroit media mogul Kevin Adell says he is selling all of his business-related assets and plans to retire.
The former CW station in Detroit will become an affiliate once again, while Miami gets a new home for CW shows and sports.
The decision to dissolve the purchase agreement with Adell Broadcasting comes about a month after the FCC conditionally approved the deal.
FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr said the agency’s decision to conditionally approve Mission’s purchase of WADL exceeded its authority.
Faith-based community and the Rainbow Push Coalition have encouraged the FCC to approve the station’s sale to Mission Broadcasting.
Kevin Adell said he is not convinced the $75 million transfer of WADL to Mission will ever be approved by the FCC, drawing on concerns raised during his latest meeting with the agency.
It will be the fifth time Kevin Adell has met with FCC officials over the proposed sale to a Nexstar-controlled entity.
Mission and Adell Broadcasting have agreed to extend a shot clock for a deal concerning Detroit TV station WADL at the urging of a top FCC official.
WADL owner Adell Broadcasting said the sale faces an outside termination date of March 31; the FCC urged Adell and Mission to extend the deadline.
In a letter sent to the FCC’s top commissioner, the activist said it was beyond time for the agency to act on the matter.