In February, a family-owned independent broadcaster led by President/CEO Patsy Smullin moved forward with the sale of the FOX and MyNetwork TV affiliates serving the Eugene-Springfield, Ore., market.
Now, the transaction brokered by Frank Higney of Kalil & Co. has closed. It gives the company led by CEO Dan York a regional boost just as it is spinning nearby properties to Imagicomm Communications.
On April 5, Smullin’s California Oregon Broadcasting Inc. (COBI) filed paperwork with the FCC seeking its approval of the sale of KEVU-CD 23, the MyNetwork TV affiliate for the market, and FOX affiliate KLSR-34 in Eugene. Translators associated with the stations are also included in the transaction.
Fourteen days later, the FCC said yes, allowing Cox Media Group to proceed with its purchase of the stations.
CMG paid $7,220,000 for the two stations.
The sale of KEVU and KLSR will conclude some 29 years of ownership in the Oregon market, as COBI purchased KLSR in 1993 from Arctic Slope Regional Corp.
“We look forward to combining our rich legacies as we work together to improve lives and
elevate our communities,” said York. “Both stations have outstanding talent and have been exceptionally managed. They’re well-positioned to increase our competitiveness as we evolve our television footprint, drive revenue, and grow our ratings.”
CMG EVP of Television Paul Curran added, “These stations will fit perfectly into our CMG TV portfolio, where our primary focus is serving our communities; informing, entertaining and engaging our audiences; and providing our customers with the best-in-class linear and digital platforms to help grow their businesses. I’m thrilled they are part of the CMG family.”
COBI President Smullin added, “It’s been an honor to work with the dedicated teams at these great stations. I’ll very much miss being part of this region and want
to thank both stations for their commitment to their viewers and the community.”
When the deal was originally announced, the addition of KLSR and KEVU pointed to the growth of CMG’s FOX presence in Oregon; the company already owns KMVU-26 in Medford, Ore. Furthermore, CMG’s Pacific Northwest holdings were to increase to nine, as it owns dominant NBC affiliate KIEM-3 and CBS-affiliated sibling KVIQ-17 in Eureka-Arcata, Calif.; the FOX affiliate serving Yakima and Tri-Cities, Wash. — KFFX-11 and KCYU-41; NBC affiliate KPVI-6 in Pocatello, Idaho; the FOX affiliate in Spokane, KAYU-28; and leading CBS affiliate KIRO-7 in Seattle-Tacoma.
However, that’s poised to change thanks to the March 30, 2022, announcement that CMG plans to spin KMVU; KIEM & KVIQ; KFFX & KCYU; KPVI; and KAYU to Imagicomm, led by David Cerullo.
