The Nexstar-Tegna deal continues to be paused after a federal judge issued an order put the combination of the companies on hold until the legal challenge of the sale is completed. (A previous order had only put it on hold for two weeks.) It’s a confusing situation as the FCC has already accepted the former Tegna stations’ notifications of consummation, meaning the deal is done as far as the regulator is concerned. Nexstar issued a brief statement reiterating that the deal has already closed and saying that it “has taken steps consistent with the Court order.”
Xavier Walt has been promoted to morning anchor at Coastal Television’s FOX 21 (KQDS-TV Duluth).
The Wisconsin Broadcasters Association has scheduled its gubernatorial debate for Friday, Oct. 9, at 7 p.m. As always, the debate will be available for all radio and TV stations in the state to carry, either live or recorded.
The Big Radio group has debuted a new “showcase studio” in downtown Janesville. The Wisconsin Broadcasters Association reports the studio is about a block away from the group’s main studios and can be used by any of its stations.
Luther College is celebrating the upcoming 100th anniversary of KWLC/1240 (Decorah) with a block party on Friday, April 24, from 6 to 10 p.m. The station’s official anniversary will be Dec. 18. The station became a student-operated entity last year. It currently broadcasts weeknights from 10 p.m. to midnight, Saturdays from 4 p.m. to midnight, and Sundays from 7 a.m. to noon, sharing time with commercial station KDEC/1240 on the frequency. Additional hours of programming are offered on the KWLC livestream.
Best newscast winners at the Iowa Broadcast News Association Awards include Hearst’s KCCI/8 (Des Moines), Gray’s WGEM-TV/10 (Quincy), KMAland Broadcasting’s KMA/960 (Shenandoah), St. Ambrose University Television, and Wartburg College’s KWAR/89.9 (Waverly).
In case you missed it here:
- Twin Cities PBS Takes Over Operations of Southern Minn. Station
- Local Broadcaster Buys Silent Omaha AM Station
- FCC Monitor: Several U.P. FM Stations Continue at Reduced Power
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Disclosure: Jon Ellis is an employee of Gray Media Group. The statements and views expressed in this posting are his own and do not reflect those of Gray Media Group.