TVNewsCheck Editor Michael Depp interviewed CEO of Fox Television Stations Jack Abernethy about how political races are bolstering a comeback for TV advertising during the pandemic.
And Abernethy says FOX is happy to own FOX 26 KRIV Houston, FOX 4 KDFW Dallas-Fort Worth and FOX 7 KTBC Austin.
Michael Depp: And those battleground races seem to be proliferating.
Jack Abernethy: The state of Texas is becoming contested, which is great for us — we have three television stations there. Historically, there is not a lot of money out of Texas for the presidential race, but if you recall two years ago when [Rep.] Beto O’Rourke challenged [Sen. Ted] Cruz, there was more money than you would ever expect. It is going to be very interesting. Everyone tells you it is going to be record [breaking]. Every indication is that is the case. READ MORE
This sentiment was shared by Tegna President-CEO Dave Lougee in 2019, also on TVNewsCheck.
[W]e are in 87% of Texas, and Texas is going to be pretty interesting to watch. Whether it will be in play for the presidential campaign next year remains to be seen, but as you have seen in the last few weeks, a number of Republican House members have resigned. So, you know, in ’18, the money in the House races was quite amazing. So, we have got quite a tremendous footprint already and, with our acquisitions, we have intentionally increased the size and quality of our political footprint. READ MORE
