The stations -- WJRT in Flint, Mich., and WTVG in Toledo, Ohio, - are strong revenue generators in their markets and are expected to remain ABC affiliates. Pending FCC approval, the deal is expected to be completed in early 2011.
There has been speculation that Disney might spin off ABC, and Disney CEO Bob Iger, who is scheduled to report the company's earnings next week on Nov. 11, kept his options open back in March during the company's annual shareholders meeting when he said, "There are no guarantees in terms of what will remain part of our company and what will not." A Disney spokeswoman said the company has "no plans" to sell any more of its O&Os, and there are "no current plans" to acquire additional stations. READ THE REST
This news is of Texas interest because Disney/ABC owns KTRK 13 in Houston. This kind of thing is nothing new, other network groups have sold off smaller stations to concentrate on the large markets where there is more money to be made. CONTACT: Leave me a Houston or Texas media news tip | COMMENT: Click to leave your thoughts on this post here
