Standard Media To Acquire 9 TV, 15 Radio Stations

Standard Media Group LLC today announced its agreement to acquire nine television stations and 15-radio stations across six markets from Waypoint Media, LLC and Vision Communications LLC for $59.2 million.

The transaction includes the following network affiliated stations: FOX & NBC affiliate WGBC-TV in Meridian, MS; FOX affiliate WHPM-LD in Hattiesburg, MS; NBC affiliate WNBJ-LD in Jackson, TN; FOX and CBS affiliate KJNB-LD and KJNE-LD in Jonesboro, AR; FOX and NBC affiliate WPBI-LD, along with ABC affiliate WPBY-LD, both in Lafayette, IN; as well as FOX affiliate WYDC-TV and MyNet affiliate WJKP in Elmira/Corning, NY.

As part of the transaction, Standard Media is also acquiring Waypoint’s news production operations located in Little Rock, Arkansas, as well as a combination of 15 FM and AM radio stations in three markets owned by Star City Broadcasting in Lafayette, Indiana, and Sound Communications, LLC in Olean and Elmira/Corning, New York. They are WAZY-FM, WBPE-FM, WYCM-FM and WSHY-AM in Lafayette, IN; WGGO-AM, WMXO-FM, WOEN-AM, WQRS-FM and WZKZ-FM in Olean, NY; and WENI-AM/FM, WENY-AM/FM, WGMM-FM and WKPQ-FM in Elmira/Corning, NY.

“This is the second acquisition Standard Media has announced in 2019, and we are looking forward to adding these stations to our expanding broadcast group,” said Deb McDermott, Standard Media’s CEO. “We are also excited to begin working with the talented teams in each of these markets. Waypoint and Vision have been successful in building these station groups, and our focus will be on continued growth with a focus on quality news.”

“We are thrilled to hand off our station group to Standard Media. We see them as very similar career broadcasters and operators that understand the future of our business. This bodes well for our employees, our advertisers and the communities we serve,” said Mike Reed, Founder of Waypoint Media.

The transaction, subject to regulatory approval and other customary closing conditions, is expected to be completed in the first quarter of next year.