Pending regulatory approval, CMG will add new TV stations in Jacksonville, Fla. and Tulsa, Okla. from Newport Television. The company will take ownership of three of the new stations and will provide operating services to the fourth.
The transaction is expected to close during the fourth quarter. The new stations will provide opportunities for collaboration with CMG’s other businesses in those markets, the company said.
The new stations include WAWS-TV (Fox) and WTEV-TV (CBS) in Jacksonville, and KOKI-TV (Fox) and KMYT-TV (MyNetwork) in Tulsa.
CMG will be selling its radio locations in Birmingham, Ala.; Greenville, S.C.; Hawaii; Louisville, Ky.; Richmond, Va.; and Southern Connecticut, as well as television stations in El Paso, Texas; Johnstown, Pa.; Reno, Nev.; and Steubenville, Ohio.
“This simplified structure will enable CMG to capitalize on continued growth and synergies, while retaining its size financially,” said CMG President Doug Franklin. “All of our media outlets, regardless of size, are valuable, profitable brands with strong futures thanks to the hard work and dedication of our talented professionals who serve their audiences, advertisers and communities. We thank the leaders and employees in the locations we’re selling for their outstanding contributions to this company over the years and the valuable service they will continue to provide their respective communities.”
Simultaneously, CMG said it is realigning its leadership to fit its new portfolio. Former Group Vice President Kim Guthrie is CMG’s new senior vice president responsible for radio markets, and former Austin American-Statesman Publisher Jane Williams is the company’s new senior vice president responsible for TV markets, both reporting to Bill Hoffman, executive vice president over broadcast.
Additional leadership changes effective immediately include:
Former Group Vice President Rich Reis is now vice president and general manager of digital operations reporting to Executive Vice President Neil Johnston.
Former Group Vice President Ben Reed is now vice president and market manager of Atlanta radio reporting to Kim Guthrie. Ben succeeds Dan Kearney, who is now vice president and market manager of Miami radio. Kearney succeeds Jerry Rushin, who is retiring later this month.
Former Group Vice President Jay O’Connor, as previously announced, is the new vice president and general manager at KIRO TV in Seattle.
Additionally, Executive Vice President Mike Joseph continues to oversee CMG’s newspaper operations and CMG Ohio. The company will announce the new publisher of the Austin American-Statesman in the near future.
Cox’s media properties for sale include:
Birmingham (WAGG-AM, WBHJ-FM, WBHK-FM, WENN-AM, WZZK-FM, WZNN-FM, WBPT-FM, and CMG’s contract rights for WALJ-FM)
Greenville (WJMZ-FM/HD3, WHZT-FM)
Hawaii (KRTR-AM/FM, KPHW-FM, KCCN-FM, KINE-FM, KKNE-AM)
Louisville (WRKA-FM, WVEZ-FM, WSFR-FM, WQNU-FM)
Richmond (WHTI-FM, WKHK-FM, WKLR-FM, WURV-FM)
Southern Connecticut ((WPLR-FM, WEZN-FM, WFOX-FM, and CMG’s contract rights for WYBC-FM)
El Paso (KFOX-TV) (Fox affiliate)
Johnstown (WJAC-TV) (NBC affiliate)
Reno (KRXI-TV and CMG’s option and other contract rights for KAME-TV) (Fox affiliate)
Steubenville (WTOV-TV) (NBC affiliate)