WPEC might be losing its CBS affiliation

This rumor has been floating around for a while now. Even more so with the recent anouncement by Viacom that they’ll be making use of their recently aquired station WTCN to give the West Palm Beach market it’s first full time WB and UPN affiliates. And then there is the fact that WPEC’s contract with CBS is coming up for renewal in February of 2006.

TCPalm’s media columnist Bob Betcher is reporting that WPEC’s general manager Doreen Wade tried to quash the rumor by saying there’s no basis for it. Of course she’ll say that, she’s the station’s GM speaking on the record.

Privately there have been reports that Viacom may try to buy WPEC from Freedom Broadcasting and are talking with CBS heads about it. Others say CBS won’t renew with WPEC in February of 2006 and will simply move operations to WTVX.

That wouldn’t be such big of a problem, except that WTVX doesn’t have a news operation, neither does WTCN. Both stations are control from Miami in the WFOR facilites. So to me a buyout of WPEC seems more likely, unless Viacom/CBS are willing to leave the West Palm Beach market without an affiliate with a local newscast or have WFOR stretch and cover both Miami and WPB.

Bob Betcher: Rumors fly over WPEC affiliation (registration required, use bugmenot.com)