NEW YORK, Nov. 9, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- ViacomCBS (NASDAQ:
VIACA, VIAC) and Gray Television, Inc. ("Gray") (NYSE: GTN) today
announced a multi-year agreement that renews all 47 of its CBS
network affiliations for Gray Television stations, including two
top 25 market affiliates, WOIO in Cleveland, O.H. and WBTV in Charlotte, N.C. As part of the agreement,
Gray's CBS affiliates will continue to be locally available to
subscribers on Paramount+ and widely distributed across vMVPD
platforms.
Gray is one of the largest operators of CBS affiliates, covering
approximately 11% of the U.S. audience and serving nearly 13
million households across the combined 47 markets. Upon its
acquisition of the Meredith Corporation's Local Media Group
stations later this year, Gray will become the largest owner and
operator of CBS affiliates serving 55 markets reaching 18% of U.S.
households.
"We are happy to have renewed these important license agreements
with Gray Television to continue to inform and entertain audiences
across the country with CBS' leading programming," said
Ray Hopkins, President, U.S.
Networks Distribution, ViacomCBS. "This deal underscores our
longstanding commitment to building successful affiliate
partnerships that create shared and enduring value."
"ViacomCBS is an important partner, and we are pleased to have
reached an agreement that builds upon our longstanding
relationship," said Pat LaPlatney,
Co-CEO of Gray Television. "We look forward to better serving our
audiences by combining our valuable local content with CBS' premium
programming across entertainment, news and sports in the years to
come."
The agreement includes renewals for these Gray-owned CBS
affiliates: KALB in Alexandria,
L.A.; KFDA in Amarillo, T.X.; KYES-LD in Anchorage, A.K.; WRDW in
Augusta, G.A.; WABI in
Bangor, M.E.; WAFB in Baton Rouge,
L.A.; WLOX in Biloxi, M.S.; WBNG
in Binghamton, N.Y.; WCAX in
Burlington, V.T.; WCSC in
Charleston, S.C.; WBTV in
Charlotte, N.C.; KGWN in Cheyenne,
W.Y.; WDTV in Clarksburg, W.V.;
WOIO in Cleveland, O.H.; KKTV in
Colorado Springs, C.O.; WTVY in Dothan, A.L.; KBJR in Duluth, M.N.;
KXDF-CD in Fairbanks, A.K.; KXJB-LD in Fargo, N.D.; ESVF-CD in Harrisonburg, V.A;
KGMB in Honolulu, H.I.; KYEX-LD in
Juneau, A.K.; WVLT in Knoxville,
T.N.; KYLX-LD in Laredo, T.X.; WKYT & WYMT in
Lexington, K.Y. & Hazard,
K.Y.; KOLN in Lincoln, N.E; KEYC in Mankato, M.N.; KNOE in
Monroe, L.A.; KNPL-LD in North
Platte, N.E.; KOSA in Odessa,
T.X.; KFVS in Paducah, K.Y.; WECP-LD in Panama City, F.L.; WIYE-LD
in Parkersburg, W.V.; WAGM in Presque Isle, M.E.; WDBJ in Roanoke,
V.A.; WIFR-LD in Rockford, I.L.;
WTOC in Savannah, G.A.; KXII in
Sherman-Ada, T.X.; KSLA in Shreveport, L.A.; WCTV in
Tallahassee, F.L.; WIBW in Topeka, K.S.; KOLD in Tucson, A.Z.; KMVT
in Twin Falls, I.D.; KWTX & KBTX in Waco, T.X. & Bryan, T.X.; WWNY in
Watertown, N.Y.; WSAW in Wausau,
W.I.; and KWCH in Wichita, K.S.
About ViacomCBS
ViacomCBS Inc. (NASDAQ: VIAC; VIACA)
is a leading global media and entertainment company that creates
premium content and experiences for audiences worldwide. Driven by
iconic consumer brands, its portfolio includes CBS, SHOWTIME,
Paramount Pictures, Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, BET,
Paramount+ and Pluto TV, among others. The company delivers the
largest share of the television audience in the United States and one of the industry's
most extensive libraries of television and film titles. In addition
to offering innovative streaming services and digital video
products, ViacomCBS provides powerful capabilities in production,
distribution and advertising solutions.
For more information about ViacomCBS, please visit
www.viacomcbs.com and follow @ViacomCBS on social platforms.
VIAC-IR
About Gray Television
Gray Television, headquartered
in Atlanta, Georgia, is the
largest owner of top-rated local television stations and digital
assets in the United States. Upon its anticipated acquisition
of the television stations of Meredith Corporation, Gray will
become the nation's second largest television broadcaster, with
television stations serving 113 markets that reach approximately 36
percent of US television households. The pro forma portfolio
includes 79 markets with the top-rated television station and 101
markets with the first and/or second highest rated television
station according to Comscore's audience measurement data.
Gray also owns video program production, marketing, and digital
businesses including Raycom Sports, Tupelo Honey, and RTM Studios,
the producer of PowerNation programs and content and is the
majority owner of Swirl Films.
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SOURCE ViacomCBS Inc.