As a Texas-based television station owner, I used to compare London Broadcasting Company (LBC) to Belo. As Belo owned TV stations in large Texas markets, London owned them in the smaller ones.
Now the similarity between the two only grows. Today we learn that London is selling some of its stations to Gannett Co. Inc. The owners of USA Today went from not having a real presence in Texas anymore to now being fairly dominant.
UPDATE
TVSpy reports the stations for sale are KCEN in Waco-Temple-Bryan, KYTX in Tyler-Longview, KIII in Corpus Christi, KBMT and digital subchannel KJAC in Beaumont-Port Arthur, KXVA in Abilene-Sweetwater and KIDY in San Angelo.
Here is the release:
DALLAS, May 14, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- London Broadcasting Company (LBC), a portfolio company of SunTx Capital Partners, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement for the sale of six Texas based television stations to Gannett Co. Inc., an international media and marketing solutions company, for $215 million in an all cash transaction.
LBC is a Dallas, TX based media company, which owns and operates marquee media properties across the State. The Company's Broadcasting Group is a leading mid-market broadcaster in the State, serving nearly 10 million Texans.
The transaction, which is expected to close this summer, is subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. Following the closing of the transaction, Phil Hurley, LBC's current executive vice president and chief operating officer, will join Gannett and lead the six acquired stations.
Terry E. London, President of London Broadcasting, commented: "In a very short span of only five years, we and our partners at SunTx have established LBC as a leading operator of middle-market broadcasting television stations in the state of Texas. We look forward to continuing to provide our customers with exceptional content through our ongoing ownership of several television stations in Texas and via LBC's other media properties."
Mr. London continued, "We are pleased that several of our television stations will become part of Gannett and benefit from that organization's global strength and breadth. Likewise, we wish Phil Hurley all the best as he leads the acquired stations under the Gannett banner. Phil is an outstanding leader and he has been a great partner."
About London Broadcasting Company Terry E. London and SunTx Capital Partners formed London Broadcasting Company in 2007, to acquire and operate Texas-based media properties. LBC's Broadcast Group is one of the largest television broadcasters in Texas operating 28 channels in 7 markets and serving approximately 40% of Texas households. Following the sale to Gannett, London will continue to own independent stations KTXD-TV, Dallas, TX, and KCEB-TV, Tyler-Longview.
LBC's related entities include LBK Entertainment, a music and video content company operating 41 Entertainment, BE Music & Entertainment and Artist Management Partners. 41 Entertainment is a Dallas-based television production company that produces television programs, television commercials and other forms of video and music content. Be Music & Entertainment and Artist Management Partners are artist development companies, offering management, publishing and recording opportunities for artists. More information about LBC and its related entities can be found at www.LondonBroadcastingCompany.com
About SunTx Capital Partners SunTx Capital Partners, LP, is a Dallas, TX based private equity firm that invests in middle market manufacturing, distribution and service companies. SunTx specializes in supporting talented management teams in industries where SunTx can apply is operational experience and financial expertise to build leading middle-market companies with operations typically in the Sun Belt region of the United States. SunTx was founded in 2001 and currently has over $600 million assets under management. The capital committed by SunTx comes from the principals of SunTx as well as from institutional investors, including leading university endowments and corporate and public pension funds. More information about SunTx can be found at www.suntx.com.
Here is a list of the London Broadcasting Company (LBC) TV stations:
KTXD Dallas - 5
KCEN Waco - 88
KAGS College Station - 88
KYTX Tyler - 107
KCEB Tyler - 107
KIII Corpus Christi - 129
KBMT Beaumont - 141
KJAC Beaumont - 141
KUIL Beaumont - 141
KXVA Abilene - 165
KIDY San Angelo - 195
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