Insiders say reps from Sunbeam and Post Newsweek were seen (together?) at WTVJ recently “taking a look at things”!
Post Newsweek having any interest in WTVJ is a bit strange considering that they’re in the midst of building a multi-million dollar studio in Pembroke Park.
WSVN on the other hand kind of makes sense since that condo developer seems set on building those two condos near the newsplex building whether WSVN likes it or not.
On speculation is that Post Newsweek could create a duopoly with WTVJ and sell the building to Sunbeam that way if they have to move WSVN it won’t require building something from the ground up.
Things will be getting interesting soon, especially if Fox comes down to take a look too.
mark my words: sunbeam buys wtvj and consolidates both stations under one roof in miramar…ansin will sell his cw56 boston station if need-be…that plus the money from the sale of the north bay village property and his net worth would more than pay for chn 6…
I think Channel 7 will buy the building and then WPLG will buy WTVJ and produce news from ther new studios for both channels. They will have a major problem gettin rid of all the people with contracts. NBC guaranteed in the sale that no contracts or staff could be cut.
I think the FCC has rules that one single company can own two of the top four rated stations in a single market, so I’m pretty sure the deal with Post-Newsweek won’t work because they already own WPLG (Local 10). Any other company would be fine, but not Post-Newsweek. Maybe Media General, since they already own some former NBC O&O’s (i.e. WJAR in Providence, Rhode Island.) Whoever the eventual buyer turns out to be, they have their work cut out for them. Judging by WTVJ’s ratings, something needs to be done….and fast.
A few days ago a man pulled up to wsvn in a stretch limo where he was met my Ed Ansin himself. Mr. Ansin proceeded to give him a station tour before they retreated into a private meeting. The man was then wisked away in his waiting strecth limo. Now it’s all making sense.
Ryan — both WPLG and WTVJ are in the top 4 English-language stations in the market. But if you take Telemundo/Univision into account, does WTVJ drop to #5? And if so, does that count for the purposes of the FCC regulation? That may make it all possible…