KSPR and KYTV

FCC OKs SCHURZ DUOPOLY IN SPRINGFIELD, MO

TVNEWSDAY, Jul. 31, 4:07 PM ET

Upon the consummation of a $20.6 million, three-way deal, Schurz will run the market's ABC and NBC affiliates in tandem. In approving the deal, the FCC dismissed opposition from market rivals.
By Harry A. Jessell

The FCC today approved a three-way deal that will, in effect, give Schurz Communications an ABC-NBC duopoly in Springfield, Mo. (DMA 76).

In greenlighting the deal, the agency rejected the opposition from two market rivals, Equity Broadcasting and Koplar Communications.

As it announced almost a year ago, Schurz, the owner of KYTV, the NBC affiliate in Springfield, is teaming with Bill Perkin, a local former broadcaster, to purchase KSPR, the market's ABC affiliate, from Piedmont Television for $20.6 million.

Under terms of the deal, Schurz would acquire the stations assets; Perkin, the license and intellectual properties. Through side deals with Perkin, Schurz would manage the station and operate it in tandem with KYTV. Although Perkin is putting up nearly half the money, Schurz is guaranteeing his financing and holds an option to buy him out.

Equity, owner of KWBM, Springfield’s MNT affiliate, and Koplar, which holds a permit to build a new station in the market, had urged the FCC to block the deal. They argued that Schurz, not Perkin, will control KSPR in violation of the FCC’s own small-market duopoly ban. Equity and Koplar also pointed out that the Shurz duopoly would actually be the second virtual duopoly in the market.

Nexstar already has a CBS-Fox duopoly, they said. It owns KSFX, the Fox affiliate, and operates KOLR, the CBS affiliate, through its “alter ego, Mission Broadcasting,” Equity said. In approving the deal, the FCC said Shurz-Perkin arrangement is consistent with previously approved deals.
“Based on the limitations that the various agreements ... put on [Schurz] with respect to the operations of KSPR and the requirements those agreements impose on Perkin and the incentives they create for his active involvement, we find that the allegations [that Schurz] will exercise de facto control over KSPR in violation of our multiple ownership rules are unfounded,” the FCC said.

Cheers

Cara Connelly's last day is fast approaching. Here's a picture of her going away party at Ophelia's a couple of days ago. More to come.

Here's your propaganda video of the day

A little piece of heaven to start your day...from the North Korean government.

KC is calling...

Kiplinger named Kansas City one of the best cities for mid-level professionals.

Criteria? The 3 Ts--technology, talent, and tolerance...this boils down to presence of high-tech workers and businesses, the talent level of the workforce and the tolerance for all types of people. A fourth factor is economic growth.

This is nice news for me because I live and work around a bunch of St. Louis natives. I grew up in the KC viewing area, went to school at KU, interned and worked in Kansas City, lived on the Plaza...KC is a great place, and since my boyfriend is from St. Louis, this poses a problem. :)

Cara Connelly's last day

Keep your eyes on the boob tube: KY3's Cara Connelly will say goodbye to the Ozarks on August 1st. Sad.

Carrie Beason

I saw Carrie Beason and Big Mo play last night...(I've heard her music before but never saw her play.) You should really check her out if you haven't yet! She's married to my former co-worker, Tony Beason. Ring a bell, eh? Plus, my current co-worker Rob West, KY3 photographer, just joined her band to play bass.

Anyway, if you like good music, find out when she's playing next.