![Panama City Beach, Fla., prior to Hurricane Michael's arrival [Photo: Adam R Jacobson]](https://rbr.com/wp-content/uploads/011_8A-e1539795137846.jpg "Panama City Beach")
From Hurricane Michael to violations of the FCC’s TV issues and programs rules, Gray Television has seen much in the last several years at its WJHG-7 and WECP-LP 18 in Panama City Beach, Fla.
Now, Gray is adding to its properties in the market with the addition of another low-power TV property in the former Spring Break hub popular with Atlanta and Birmingham-area retirees and beachgoers.
Gray is agreeing to purchase W31EP-D, licensed to Panama City, Fla., from Innovative Media Technologies.
The price is $75,000 and contains an important caveat: IMT will enter into a lease agreement for Gray’s Sioux Falls, S.D., tower, reflecting of the seller’s station in that market: K06QJ-D. Gray owns KDLT-TV in Sioux Falls.
The tower deal is perhaps more detailed than the Panama City transaction, as the lease commenced January 1 and expires at the end of 2027. Rent is $1,000 per month, totaling $72,000. But, for any period of time that IMT’s primary antenna is mounted fifty feet or lower above ground level, the monthly rent shall be zero.
There is no broker or finder involved in this deal. The seller is based in Georgia and is led by Vincent Castelli.
What will Gray do with the LPTV facility. Paperwork filed with the FCC shows it will simulcast a digital multicast offering of WJHG. At present, it is a dual NBC/CW+ affiliate with WECP-LD 21’s CBS-affiliated programming on a DT3 signal. Ion is on DT4, and Dabl is on DT5.
