WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., Sept. 26, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ION Media, the nation’s largest independent television broadcaster, today announced the further expansion of its station group with the purchase of five full power UHF broadcast TV stations:
- Los Angeles (#2 TV market) -- KILM-TV
- Cleveland (#19 TV market) -- WDLI-TV
- Indianapolis (#28 TV market) -- WCLJ-TV
- Columbus, OH (#34 TV market) -- WSFJ-TV
- Dayton, OH (#64 TV market) -- WKOI-TV
ION acquired the Los Angeles station from Sunbelt Television and the remaining stations from the Trinity Broadcasting Network.
The five stations, which cover more than 9.1 million TV households, add to ION’s industry-leading broadcast reach, giving the company 70 full power stations in 61 of the largest U.S. markets, making it the only network with owned-and-operated stations in 40 of the top 50 markets.
“These acquisitions follow through on our commitment to invest in ION’s broadcast television growth story,” said Brandon Burgess, Chairman and CEO of ION Media. “Over-the-air and over-the-top are the two fastest growing wireless delivery platforms for affordable quality television content. Our focus on UHF spectrum and quality content will allow us to best provide both OTA and OTT services to value-oriented distribution partners and consumers.”
The transactions reinforce ION Media’s position as the largest U.S. holder of full power broadcast TV spectrum, covering 1.3 billion MHz-pops and 225 million people nationwide across all key metropolitan areas, in the advent of wireless spectrum innovation and development.
As part of the transactions, ION also acquired five broadcast towers from Trinity, in support of an expeditious spectrum repack of ION’s stations, to conclude the Broadcast Incentive Spectrum Auction in coordination with the Federal Communications Commission.
About ION Media
ION Media is an independent, privately held media company launched in 2007. ION Media’s flagship, ION Television, is the most widely distributed and watched independent broadcast network in the U.S., reaching 102 million homes with a popular lineup of TV series and movies, including original shows. ION Media also nationally broadcasts two digital networks: Qubo, dedicated to children, with content that entertains, educates and celebrates learning; and ION Life, dedicated to healthy, active lifestyles. ION is the nation’s largest operator of TV broadcast stations by national household reach, with 70 full power stations. For more information, visit www.ionmedia.com.
For inquiries, contact ION Media at press@ionmedia.com