Gray agrees with CW and in principle with NBC

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Gray-TelevisionNetwork affiliations with NBC and CW have been extended of renewed by applicable Gray Televisions stations. 38 different stations are part of the two deals.
The CW agreement is both multiyear and a done deal. It extends or renews affiliations with either CW or CW Plus for 14 stations.


“As an early believer in the CW Network, Gray has been proud to have expanded our portfolio of CW channels to become one of the network’s largest affiliate groups,” said Gray CEO Hilton H. Howell, Jr. “Today’s announcement ensures that Gray and CW will extend and strengthen our strong relationship for years to come.”

The stations covered by the new affiliation agreements are WKYT in Lexington, Kentucky; WQCW in Charleston-Huntington, West Virginia; KWTX in Waco, Texas; KBTX in Bryan-College Station, Texas; KSFY in Sioux Falls, South Dakota; KNOE in Monroe-El Dorado, Louisiana; WSWG in Albany, Georgia; WJHG in Panama City, Florida; WTVY in Dothan, Alabama; WBKO in Bowling Green, Kentucky; WTOK in Meridian, Mississippi; and KGWN in Cheyenne, Wyoming. In addition, the new affiliation agreements will cover two stations to which Gray currently provides services, KJCT in Grand Junction, Colorado, and KMTF in Helena, Montana, effective upon Gray’s anticipated acquisition of those stations in the next few weeks. Gray will launch CW Plus on KCWY in Casper, Wyoming, on January 26, 2015.

The NBC deal, which is not yet finalized, involves 24 stations in 21 markets.

“Today is another historic day for Gray Television because we proudly announce the long-term extension of our deep relationship with NBC,” said Gray CEO Hilton H. Howell, Jr. “Most of our NBC affiliated stations have been partners with the network since they first began operation. Through NBC’s partnership, all of our NBC affiliated stations are able to provide their local communities with quality programming, local news, and unparalleled leadership.”

The agreement in principle includes early renewals for all 24 Gray-owned NBC affiliates: WSAZ in Charleston-Huntington, West Virginia; WOWT in Omaha, Nebraska; WMTV in Madison, Wisconsin; WNDU in South Bend, Indiana; WITN in Greenville, North Carolina; KSNB in Lincoln, Nebraska; WILX in Lansing, Michigan; KVLY in Fargo, North Dakota; WEAU in Eau Claire, Wisconsin; KFYR, KMOT, KUMV and KQCD in Minot-Bismarck-Dickinson, North Dakota; WJHG in Panama City, Florida; WRGX in Dothan, Alabama; KALB in Alexandria, Louisiana; KGNS in Laredo, Texas; KKCO in Grand Junction, Colorado; KBGF in Great Falls, Montana; WTAP in Parkersburg, West Virginia; KCWY in Casper, Wyoming; KCHY in Cheyenne, Wyoming; KTVH in Helena, Montana; and KNOP in North Platte, Nebraska.

Terms of the agreements were not released.