The expressed desire of 5-Hour Energy creator Manoj Bhargava to transform a digital multicast network into an owned-and-operated national all-news operation is quickly moving toward fruition.
Bridge News LLC, which sees Vince Bodiford in the chief executive role, is snapping up more low-power television stations. This time around, it is adding properties thanks to a deal with Brian and Patricia Lane.
The Lanes, through their Marquee Broadcasting, are agreeing to spin the following stations to Bridge News, operator of NewsNet:
- WSCG-LD, Channel 14, Facility No. 69449, Beaufort, S.C.
- WGCB-LD, Channel 36, Facility No. 69450, Hinesville-Richmond Hill, Ga.
- WHDC-LD, Channel 12, Facility No. 10548, Charleston, S.C.
- WFDY-LD, Channel 31, Facility No. 182003, Myrtle Beach, S.C.
WSCG and WGCB will make NewsNet fully receivable in the Savannah, Ga., DMA, with Hinesville to the south near Midway and Beaufort in the northern portion of the market.
For Bridge News, a $1.5 million payment was agreed upon, and legal counsel Dan J. Alpert is holding a 10% escrow payment on behalf of the Lanes.
Marquee’s legal counsel is Daniel Kirkpatrick of Baker & Hostetler.
At present WSCG airs Court TV; WGCB acts as a translator of WSCG.
WHDC is also a Court TV affiliate, while WFDY also has Court TV as its DT1 offering and Scripps News as its DT2 choice.
This signals that NewsNet will replace Scripps News as a Myrtle Beach-market all-news offering on WFDY.
