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In 2006, the company adopted its current name.<ref>{{cite news|title=Name change: Paxson becomes Ion Media Networks|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/stories/2006/02/27/daily20.html|access-date=October 15, 2012|newspaper=South Florida Business Journal|date=February 28, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Paxson Has Ion Aspirations|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/103023-Paxson_Has_Ion_Aspirations.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130920143852/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/103023-Paxson_Has_Ion_Aspirations.php |archive-date=2006-02-28 |access-date=2021-01-30 |url-status=dead }}</ref> |
In 2006, the company adopted its current name.<ref>{{cite news|title=Name change: Paxson becomes Ion Media Networks|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/southflorida/stories/2006/02/27/daily20.html|access-date=October 15, 2012|newspaper=South Florida Business Journal|date=February 28, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Paxson Has Ion Aspirations|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/103023-Paxson_Has_Ion_Aspirations.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130920143852/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/103023-Paxson_Has_Ion_Aspirations.php |archive-date=2006-02-28 |access-date=2021-01-30 |url-status=dead }}</ref> |
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In May 2007, Ion, NBC Universal, and [[Citadel LLC]] reached an agreement for the recapitalization of Ion. Citadel acquired the public common stock of the company, as part of the plan to take the company private. In addition, Citadel invested $100 million of new capital into the company to further support management's plan to revitalize the TV network.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ion Media Networks, Citadel, and NBC Universal Reach Agreement to recapitalize Ion -- Ion expected to become privately held following transaction|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSIN20070504124800Ion20070504|access-date=October 15, 2012| |
In May 2007, Ion, NBC Universal, and [[Citadel LLC]] reached an agreement for the recapitalization of Ion. Citadel acquired the public common stock of the company, as part of the plan to take the company private. In addition, Citadel invested $100 million of new capital into the company to further support management's plan to revitalize the TV network.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ion Media Networks, Citadel, and NBC Universal Reach Agreement to recapitalize Ion -- Ion expected to become privately held following transaction|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSIN20070504124800Ion20070504|access-date=October 15, 2012|work=Reuters|date=May 4, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Kouwe|first=Zachery|title=Ion APPROVES NBC SALE AMID UNREST|url=http://www.nypost.com/p/news/business/item_6j0vmTjx9bfSLBbTMf5YYN;jsessionid=7A9953477D9F1D051C5BDB3BCE2B7372|access-date=October 15, 2012|newspaper=New York Post|date=May 4, 2007}}</ref> |
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In November 2007, Ion Media Networks was taken to trial, having been sued in Federal Court by Positive Ions, Inc for trademark infringement of the use of the word ''[[Ion]]'',<ref>[http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20070516005435/en/Federal-Judge-Decide-Ion-Television-Continue-Ion Federal Judge to Decide Whether Ion Television Can Continue as Ion ], ''Positive Ions v. Ion Media Networks''.</ref> resulting in a $1.7 million settlement awarded to Positive Ions, Inc.<ref>[http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/judgment-entered-against-ion-media-networks-inc-dispute-over-ion-trademark-registration-769921.htm Judgment Entered Against Ion Media Networks, Inc. in Dispute Over "Ion" Trademark Registration], ''Positive Ions v. Ion Media Networks''.</ref> |
In November 2007, Ion Media Networks was taken to trial, having been sued in Federal Court by Positive Ions, Inc for trademark infringement of the use of the word ''[[Ion]]'',<ref>[http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20070516005435/en/Federal-Judge-Decide-Ion-Television-Continue-Ion Federal Judge to Decide Whether Ion Television Can Continue as Ion ], ''Positive Ions v. Ion Media Networks''.</ref> resulting in a $1.7 million settlement awarded to Positive Ions, Inc.<ref>[http://www.marketwire.com/press-release/judgment-entered-against-ion-media-networks-inc-dispute-over-ion-trademark-registration-769921.htm Judgment Entered Against Ion Media Networks, Inc. in Dispute Over "Ion" Trademark Registration], ''Positive Ions v. Ion Media Networks''.</ref> |
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Ion Media Networks signed carriage agreements in May 2010 with [[Advanced Cable Communications]] and [[Comcast]] Colorado Springs for Qubo and Ion Life and with Blue Ridge Cable for Qubo.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ion Media Networks Inks Multi-Affiliate Deals for Diginets|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-226922906.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140611072953/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-226922906.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 11, 2014|access-date=February 22, 2014|newspaper=Telecommunications Weekly|date=May 26, 2010|via=[[HighBeam Research]]}}</ref> |
Ion Media Networks signed carriage agreements in May 2010 with [[Advanced Cable Communications]] and [[Comcast]] Colorado Springs for Qubo and Ion Life and with Blue Ridge Cable for Qubo.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ion Media Networks Inks Multi-Affiliate Deals for Diginets|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-226922906.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140611072953/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-226922906.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 11, 2014|access-date=February 22, 2014|newspaper=Telecommunications Weekly|date=May 26, 2010|via=[[HighBeam Research]]}}</ref> |
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By 2012, Media Holdco's stake in Ion Media Networks was at 87%,<ref name="media holdco3">{{cite web|title=Moody's assigns Media Holdco (Ion) B1 CFR and B2 term loan rating; outlook is stable|url=https://www.moodys.com/research/Moodys-assigns-Media-Holdco-Ion-B1-CFR-and-B2-term--PR_258950|website=moodys.com|publisher=Moody's Investors Service|access-date=December 26, 2012}}</ref> with the company's senior investors from previous rounds of financing holding 13%. |
By 2012, Media Holdco's stake in Ion Media Networks was at 87%,<ref name="media holdco3">{{cite web|title=Moody's assigns Media Holdco (Ion) B1 CFR and B2 term loan rating; outlook is stable|url=https://www.moodys.com/research/Moodys-assigns-Media-Holdco-Ion-B1-CFR-and-B2-term--PR_258950|website=moodys.com|date=December 26, 2012 |publisher=Moody's Investors Service|access-date=December 26, 2012}}</ref> with the company's senior investors from previous rounds of financing holding 13%. |
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Sometime in 2013, Ion Media Networks signed a deal with [[Liberty Media]] to bring the [[QVC]] and [[HSN]] networks to most of its Ion Television O&O stations throughout the country on digital subchannels X.5 and X.6. |
Sometime in 2013, Ion Media Networks signed a deal with [[Liberty Media]] to bring the [[QVC]] and [[HSN]] networks to most of its Ion Television O&O stations throughout the country on digital subchannels X.5 and X.6. |
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In December 2013, the [[United States bankruptcy court]] approved a plan by creditors of [[Roberts Broadcasting]] to transfer [[East St. Louis, Illinois|East St. Louis]]-based [[WRBU]] and its sister stations, [[WZRB]] in [[Columbia, South Carolina|Columbia]] and [[WAZE-TV|WAZE-LP]] in [[Evansville, Indiana]], to a trust with Ion Media Networks (a creditor in Roberts' [[Chapter 11, Title 11, United States Code|chapter 11 bankruptcy]] proceedings, which it filed for in 2011) as its beneficiary, with Roberts' attorney subsequently stating that Ion Media Networks would purchase the three stations.<ref name=slbj-robertsion>{{cite news|last=Mueller|first=Angela|title=Judge approves |
In December 2013, the [[United States bankruptcy court]] approved a plan by creditors of [[Roberts Broadcasting]] to transfer [[East St. Louis, Illinois|East St. Louis]]-based [[WRBU]] and its sister stations, [[WZRB]] in [[Columbia, South Carolina|Columbia]] and [[WAZE-TV|WAZE-LP]] in [[Evansville, Indiana]], to a trust with Ion Media Networks (a creditor in Roberts' [[Chapter 11, Title 11, United States Code|chapter 11 bankruptcy]] proceedings, which it filed for in 2011) as its beneficiary, with Roberts' attorney subsequently stating that Ion Media Networks would purchase the three stations.<ref name=slbj-robertsion>{{cite news|last=Mueller|first=Angela|title=Judge approves creditors' proposal in Roberts Broadcasting bankruptcy|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/blog/2013/12/judge-approves-creditors-proposal-in.html?page=all|access-date=December 11, 2013|newspaper=St. Louis Business Journal|date=December 11, 2013}}</ref><ref name=slpd-robertsion>{{cite news|last=Brown|first=Lisa|title=Roberts' TV stations to be sold|url=https://www.stltoday.com/business/local/roberts-tv-stations-to-be-sold/article_6dbc41fa-08af-5618-97d4-33b7acf750d0.html|access-date=December 11, 2013|newspaper=[[St. Louis Post-Dispatch]]|date=December 11, 2013}}</ref> The deal is complete on February 10, 2014, and both WZRB and WRBU became Ion stations. |
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Also in December 2013, Black Diamond purchased Avenue & Trilogy's stakes in Media Holdco, placing Black Diamond as Media Holdco's sole shareholder.<ref name="media holdco2">{{cite news|last1=Wright|first1=Natalie|title=Ion Media readies $795M dividend recap loan|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/Ion-launch-idUSL2N0JI0VJ20131203|access-date=December 3, 2013|work=reuters.com|agency=Reuters|publisher=Reuters}}</ref> |
Also in December 2013, Black Diamond purchased Avenue & Trilogy's stakes in Media Holdco, placing Black Diamond as Media Holdco's sole shareholder.<ref name="media holdco2">{{cite news|last1=Wright|first1=Natalie|title=Ion Media readies $795M dividend recap loan|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/Ion-launch-idUSL2N0JI0VJ20131203|access-date=December 3, 2013|work=reuters.com|agency=Reuters|publisher=Reuters}}</ref> |
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As of November 2014, Media Holdco's majority equity stake in Ion Media Networks is at 85%,<ref name="media holdco4">{{cite web|title=Moody's affirms Ion Media's B1 CFR and B1 rating on first lien debt|url=https://www.moodys.com/research/Moodys-affirms-Ion-Medias-B1-CFR-and-B1-rating-on--PR_311285?WT.mc_id=AM~RmluYW56ZW4ubmV0X1JTQl9SYXRpbmdzX05ld3NfTm9fVHJhbnNsYXRpb25z~20141110_PR_311285|website=moodys.com|publisher=Moody's Investors Service|access-date=November 10, 2014}}</ref> leaving the company's senior investors from previous rounds of financing with a minority stake of 15%. |
As of November 2014, Media Holdco's majority equity stake in Ion Media Networks is at 85%,<ref name="media holdco4">{{cite web|title=Moody's affirms Ion Media's B1 CFR and B1 rating on first lien debt|url=https://www.moodys.com/research/Moodys-affirms-Ion-Medias-B1-CFR-and-B1-rating-on--PR_311285?WT.mc_id=AM~RmluYW56ZW4ubmV0X1JTQl9SYXRpbmdzX05ld3NfTm9fVHJhbnNsYXRpb25z~20141110_PR_311285|website=moodys.com| date=November 10, 2014 |publisher=Moody's Investors Service|access-date=November 10, 2014}}</ref> leaving the company's senior investors from previous rounds of financing with a minority stake of 15%. |
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===As Ion Media=== |
===As Ion Media=== |
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On August 2, 2017, it was reported that [[21st Century Fox]] was proposing that Ion Media contribute its stations into a joint venture with its [[Fox Television Stations]] division, to create a larger station group in an effort to counter [[Sinclair Broadcast Group]] and their proposed purchase of [[Tribune Media]]. The proposal also included the possibility for as many as 26 stations owned by Sinclair or Tribune to be switched from Fox after existing affiliation contracts expire. It has been argued that this deal was intended to place pressure on Sinclair to abandon its acquisition, lest it potentially lose Fox affiliations to the venture.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-08-02/fox-is-said-in-talks-with-ion-media-to-operate-local-tv-stations|title=Fox in Talks With Ion Media to Operate Local TV Stations, Source Says|last=Sakoui|first=Anousha|work=Bloomberg|date=August 2, 2017|access-date=August 3, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/08/sinclair-broadcasting-shares-slip-report-fox-switch-affiliations-ion-media-1202141471/|title=Sinclair Broadcast Shares Slip On Report That Fox May Switch Affiliations To Ion|last=Lieberman|first=David|work=Deadline Hollywood|date=August 3, 2017|access-date=August 3, 2017}}</ref> |
On August 2, 2017, it was reported that [[21st Century Fox]] was proposing that Ion Media contribute its stations into a joint venture with its [[Fox Television Stations]] division, to create a larger station group in an effort to counter [[Sinclair Broadcast Group]] and their proposed purchase of [[Tribune Media]]. The proposal also included the possibility for as many as 26 stations owned by Sinclair or Tribune to be switched from Fox after existing affiliation contracts expire. It has been argued that this deal was intended to place pressure on Sinclair to abandon its acquisition, lest it potentially lose Fox affiliations to the venture.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-08-02/fox-is-said-in-talks-with-ion-media-to-operate-local-tv-stations|title=Fox in Talks With Ion Media to Operate Local TV Stations, Source Says|last=Sakoui|first=Anousha|work=Bloomberg|date=August 2, 2017|access-date=August 3, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/08/sinclair-broadcasting-shares-slip-report-fox-switch-affiliations-ion-media-1202141471/|title=Sinclair Broadcast Shares Slip On Report That Fox May Switch Affiliations To Ion|last=Lieberman|first=David|work=Deadline Hollywood|date=August 3, 2017|access-date=August 3, 2017}}</ref> |
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An analyst felt the proposed partnership was hampered by Ion Media's decision to assert [[must-carry]] status over its stations rather than [[retransmission consent]], as Fox would be unable to immediately benefit financially from the partnership's [[Economies of scale|scale]], which would have included being able to collect carriage payments for all of the stations. The analyst added that Ion stations alone did not have enough leverage to negotiate with television providers, because of their limited local or first-run programming.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/business-and-deals/analyst-ion-s-must-carry-kills-potential-fox-deal/169327|title=Analyst: |
An analyst felt the proposed partnership was hampered by Ion Media's decision to assert [[must-carry]] status over its stations rather than [[retransmission consent]], as Fox would be unable to immediately benefit financially from the partnership's [[Economies of scale|scale]], which would have included being able to collect carriage payments for all of the stations. The analyst added that Ion stations alone did not have enough leverage to negotiate with television providers, because of their limited local or first-run programming.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/business-and-deals/analyst-ion-s-must-carry-kills-potential-fox-deal/169327|title=Analyst: Ion's Must-Carry Kills Potential Fox Deal|website=Broadcasting & Cable|date=October 13, 2017 |access-date=October 16, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/currency/analyst-expects-ion-choose-must-carry/169009|title=Analyst Expects Ion to Choose Must-Carry|website=Broadcasting & Cable|date=September 29, 2017 |access-date=October 3, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thestreet.com/story/14325671/1/ion-media-sweetens-fox-offer.html|title=ION Media Sweetens Offer to 21st Century Fox for Local-TV Station Venture|website=The Street}}</ref> |
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====Acquisition by Scripps==== |
====Acquisition by Scripps==== |
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On September 24, 2020, Ion Media agreed to be acquired by The [[E. W. Scripps Company]] for $2.65 billion, with [[Berkshire Hathaway]] making an investment in Scripps to help finance the purchase.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cimilluca |first1=Dana |title=E.W. Scripps Agrees to Buy ION Media for $2.65 billion in Berkshire-Backed Deal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/e-w-scripps-nears-2-65-billion-takeover-of-ion-media-in-berkshire-backed-deal-11600937323?mod=hp_lead_pos4 |access-date=September 24, 2020}}</ref> The transaction, which is projected to close in the first quarter of 2021 and is subject to [[Federal Communications Commission|FCC]] approval, would see Ion Media and its networks combined with Scripps' [[Katz Broadcasting]] subsidiary, which already operates five [[Digital subchannel#Specialty programming|specialty networks]], most notably [[Bounce TV]] and [[Court TV]]. Scripps would also sell 23 of Ion Media's 71 television stations to comply with national ownership caps; the buyer, revealed in an October 2020 FCC filing to be [[Inyo Broadcast Holdings]], has promised to maintain the stations' [[Ion Television]] affiliations after the purchase.<ref>[https://scripps.com/press-releases/scripps-creates-national-television-networks-business-with-acquisition-of-ion-media/ "Scripps creates national television networks business with acquisition of ION Media,"] press release from Scripps.com, September 24, 2020</ref><ref>[https://last10k.com/sec-filings/ssp/0000832428-20-000033.htm E.W. Scripps Co (SSP) SEC Filing 8-K Material Event for the period ending Wednesday, September 23, 2020] on Last10K.com (accessed 10/15/2020)</ref><ref name=":0" /> However, the number of stations to be sold increased according to a Public Applications Report from the FCC on October 16, 2020, and although unconfirmed, it is possible that Scripps could still operates at least some of these stations. Whether or not that pans out remains to be seen.<ref>{{Cite web|date=October 16, 2020|title=PUBLIC NOTICE: REPORT #29845|url=https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-367559A1.pdf|access-date=October 17, 2020|website=[[Federal Communications Commission]]|pages=1–6|type=PDF}}</ref> As of October 17, 2020, 27 stations are likely up for sale; however, three of those stations in [[WPPX-TV|Philadelphia]], [[KKPX-TV|San Francisco]] and [[KPXM-TV|Minneapolis]] are predicated and contingent upon whether Scripps can complete its sale of New York City's [[WPIX]] to [[Mission Broadcasting]] (to be operated by [[Nexstar Media Group]]) in time before these transactions are finalized.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Ellis|first=Jon|date=October 14, 2020|title=Scripps May Divest Minneapolis Station as Part of ION Purchase|url=https://www.northpine.com/blog/2020/10/14/scripps-may-divest-minneapolis-station-as-part-of-ion-purchase/|access-date=October 17, 2020|website=NorthPine.com}}</ref> If WPIX was sold before these transactions, then those stations will be retained. On October 20, broadcast industry website [https://www.tvnewscheck.com TV News Check] confirmed the pending sales in a "station roundup" report outlining the stations slated to be sold, and the number being reduced to 26 again.<ref>{{Cite web|date=October 20, 2020|title=Station Trading Roundup: 2 Deals, $45,450,000|url=https://tvnewscheck.com/article/top-news/254865/station-trading-roundup-2-deals-45450000/|access-date=October 20, 2020|website=TV News Check}}</ref> |
On September 24, 2020, Ion Media agreed to be acquired by The [[E. W. Scripps Company]] for $2.65 billion, with [[Berkshire Hathaway]] making an investment in Scripps to help finance the purchase.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cimilluca |first1=Dana |title=E.W. Scripps Agrees to Buy ION Media for $2.65 billion in Berkshire-Backed Deal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/e-w-scripps-nears-2-65-billion-takeover-of-ion-media-in-berkshire-backed-deal-11600937323?mod=hp_lead_pos4 |access-date=September 24, 2020}}</ref> The transaction, which is projected to close in the first quarter of 2021 and is subject to [[Federal Communications Commission|FCC]] approval, would see Ion Media and its networks combined with Scripps' [[Katz Broadcasting]] subsidiary, which already operates five [[Digital subchannel#Specialty programming|specialty networks]], most notably [[Bounce TV]] and [[Court TV]]. Scripps would also sell 23 of Ion Media's 71 television stations to comply with national ownership caps; the buyer, revealed in an October 2020 FCC filing to be [[Inyo Broadcast Holdings]], has promised to maintain the stations' [[Ion Television]] affiliations after the purchase.<ref>[https://scripps.com/press-releases/scripps-creates-national-television-networks-business-with-acquisition-of-ion-media/ "Scripps creates national television networks business with acquisition of ION Media,"] press release from Scripps.com, September 24, 2020</ref><ref>[https://last10k.com/sec-filings/ssp/0000832428-20-000033.htm E.W. Scripps Co (SSP) SEC Filing 8-K Material Event for the period ending Wednesday, September 23, 2020] on Last10K.com (accessed 10/15/2020)</ref><ref name=":0" /> However, the number of stations to be sold increased according to a Public Applications Report from the FCC on October 16, 2020, and although unconfirmed, it is possible that Scripps could still operates at least some of these stations. Whether or not that pans out remains to be seen.<ref>{{Cite web|date=October 16, 2020|title=PUBLIC NOTICE: REPORT #29845|url=https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-367559A1.pdf|access-date=October 17, 2020|website=[[Federal Communications Commission]]|pages=1–6|type=PDF}}</ref> As of October 17, 2020, 27 stations are likely up for sale; however, three of those stations in [[WPPX-TV|Philadelphia]], [[KKPX-TV|San Francisco]] and [[KPXM-TV|Minneapolis]] are predicated and contingent upon whether Scripps can complete its sale of New York City's [[WPIX]] to [[Mission Broadcasting]] (to be operated by [[Nexstar Media Group]]) in time before these transactions are finalized.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Ellis|first=Jon|date=October 14, 2020|title=Scripps May Divest Minneapolis Station as Part of ION Purchase|url=https://www.northpine.com/blog/2020/10/14/scripps-may-divest-minneapolis-station-as-part-of-ion-purchase/|access-date=October 17, 2020|website=NorthPine.com}}</ref> If WPIX was sold before these transactions, then those stations will be retained. On October 20, broadcast industry website [https://www.tvnewscheck.com TV News Check] confirmed the pending sales in a "station roundup" report outlining the stations slated to be sold, and the number being reduced to 26 again.<ref>{{Cite web|date=October 20, 2020|title=Station Trading Roundup: 2 Deals, $45,450,000|url=https://tvnewscheck.com/article/top-news/254865/station-trading-roundup-2-deals-45450000/|access-date=October 20, 2020|website=TV News Check}}</ref> |
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That number, again, is cut down to 23, after Scripps was able to complete its sale of WPIX to Mission Broadcasting on December 30, 2020. As such, Scripps would keep its Ion stations in San Francisco, Philadelphia and Minneapolis.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Jacobson|first=Adam|date=December 16, 2020|title=Ion/ |
That number, again, is cut down to 23, after Scripps was able to complete its sale of WPIX to Mission Broadcasting on December 30, 2020. As such, Scripps would keep its Ion stations in San Francisco, Philadelphia and Minneapolis.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Jacobson|first=Adam|date=December 16, 2020|title=Ion/Scripps' Fourth Amendment: TV Trio Not Going To INYO|url=https://www.rbr.com/ion-scripps-fourth-amendment-tv-trio-not-going-to-inyo/|access-date=December 30, 2020|website=Radio & Television Business Report|publisher=Streamline Publishing, Inc.|language=English}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Wethington|first=Kari|date=December 30, 2020|title=Scripps Completes Sale of WPIX|url=https://www.scripps.com/press-releases/scripps-completes-sale-of-wpix|access-date=December 30, 2020|website=Scripps|publisher=The E.W. Scripps Company|language=English}}</ref> |
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The transaction, which closed on January 7, 2021,<ref>{{Cite web|last=January 2021|first=Jon Lafayette 07|title=E.W. Scripps Completes Acquisition of Ion Media|url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/ew-scripps-completes-acquisition-of-ion-media|access-date=2021-01-07|website=Broadcasting Cable|language=en}}</ref> saw Ion Television, Ion Plus, and Qubo integrated into Scripps' [[Katz Broadcasting]] subsidiary (operator of fellow multicast networks [[Court TV]], [[Ion Mystery]], [[Bounce TV]], [[Laff (TV network)|Laff]] and [[Grit (TV network)|Grit]]).<ref>[https://www.nexttv.com/news/no-retrans-no-problem-for-scripps-ion-deal "No Retrans, No Problem for Scripps’ Ion Deal,"] from ''Broadcasting & Cable'', September 25, 2020)</ref> |
The transaction, which closed on January 7, 2021,<ref>{{Cite web|last=January 2021|first=Jon Lafayette 07|title=E.W. Scripps Completes Acquisition of Ion Media|url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/ew-scripps-completes-acquisition-of-ion-media|access-date=2021-01-07|website=Broadcasting Cable|date=January 7, 2021 |language=en}}</ref> saw Ion Television, Ion Plus, and Qubo integrated into Scripps' [[Katz Broadcasting]] subsidiary (operator of fellow multicast networks [[Court TV]], [[Ion Mystery]], [[Bounce TV]], [[Laff (TV network)|Laff]] and [[Grit (TV network)|Grit]]).<ref>[https://www.nexttv.com/news/no-retrans-no-problem-for-scripps-ion-deal "No Retrans, No Problem for Scripps’ Ion Deal,"] from ''Broadcasting & Cable'', September 25, 2020)</ref> |
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On January 14, 2021, Scripps announced that it would discontinue Ion Plus and Qubo effective February 28, 2021. The spectrum allocated to the networks on the former Ion Media stations will be repurposed to carry the Katz-owned networks starting March 1, with the initial slate of Ion Television O&Os adding those networks following the expiration of Scripps/Katz's existing contracts with other broadcasting companies the day prior, and other stations following suit as contracts with existing affiliates expire throughout 2021 and 2022; in markets where major network affiliates operated by Scripps already carry a Katz-owned network, some will be offloaded to the Ion stations to free up limited spectrum capacity during the [[ATSC 3.0]] transition. Several of the Ion Plus full-power stations paired with Ion Television stations were also concurrently sold off to Inyo Broadcast Holdings in order to alleviate local ownership conflicts and national cap issues related to Scripps' purchase of Ion Media under the FCC's regulatory station ownership limits.<ref name="scripps.com">{{cite press release|url=https://scripps.com/press-releases/scripps-takes-first-steps-to-realize-ion-synergies-with-multicast-networks-move/|title=Scripps takes first steps to realize ION synergies with multicast networks move|date=January 14, 2021|access-date=January 14, 2021|first=Carolyn|last=Micheli|publisher=[[E. W. Scripps Company]]}}</ref> |
On January 14, 2021, Scripps announced that it would discontinue Ion Plus and Qubo effective February 28, 2021. The spectrum allocated to the networks on the former Ion Media stations will be repurposed to carry the Katz-owned networks starting March 1, with the initial slate of Ion Television O&Os adding those networks following the expiration of Scripps/Katz's existing contracts with other broadcasting companies the day prior, and other stations following suit as contracts with existing affiliates expire throughout 2021 and 2022; in markets where major network affiliates operated by Scripps already carry a Katz-owned network, some will be offloaded to the Ion stations to free up limited spectrum capacity during the [[ATSC 3.0]] transition. Several of the Ion Plus full-power stations paired with Ion Television stations were also concurrently sold off to Inyo Broadcast Holdings in order to alleviate local ownership conflicts and national cap issues related to Scripps' purchase of Ion Media under the FCC's regulatory station ownership limits.<ref name="scripps.com">{{cite press release|url=https://scripps.com/press-releases/scripps-takes-first-steps-to-realize-ion-synergies-with-multicast-networks-move/|title=Scripps takes first steps to realize ION synergies with multicast networks move|date=January 14, 2021|access-date=January 14, 2021|first=Carolyn|last=Micheli|publisher=[[E. W. Scripps Company]]}}</ref> |
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Logo from 2017 to 2021
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Ion Media | |
Formerly | Paxson Communications Corporation (1988–2006) Ion Media Networks (2006–2017) |
Company type | Mass media |
Industry | Television broadcasting |
Founded | 1988; 36 years ago (1988) |
Founder | Lowell Paxson |
Defunct | January 7, 2021; 3 years ago (2021-01-07) |
Fate | Stations acquired by the E. W. Scripps Company and networks merged into Katz Broadcasting |
Successor | Katz Broadcasting Inyo Broadcast Holdings |
Headquarters |
,
U.S.
|
Key people | R. Brandon Burgess (Chairman & CEO) |
Products | Ion Media Television[1] Network-produced programming (through Ion Media Entertainment,[2] Ion Media's in-house production unit; formerly Paxson Productions, Paxson Communications Corporation's in-house production unit) |
Brands | Ion Television Ion Plus Qubo |
Revenue | US$415 million[3] (2014) |
Number of employees | 425 (2020) |
Ion Media (formerly known as Paxson Communications Corporation and Ion Media Networks) was an American broadcasting company that owned and operated over 71 television stations in most major American markets (through its television stations group, Ion Media Television), as well as the linear broadcast networks Ion Television, Ion Plus, and Qubo. After being operated as a private company through its entire existence, it was acquired by the E. W. Scripps Company and merged with its Katz Broadcasting subsidiary on January 7, 2021, after Scripps' purchase of Ion Media to manage those assets separately from its traditional broadcast network-affiliated television stations.
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The company was founded in 1988 by Lowell W. "Bud" PaxsoninFlorida. The company purchased radio stations and a couple of television stations, eventually becoming Florida's largest radio group. The radio stations' formats included rock, contemporary hit radio, news and talk, and adult contemporary. The television stations were network affiliates of ABC and NBC. In 1993 the company began to purchase stations on the outer fringes of large television markets.[citation needed]
In 1994, Paxson acquired its first television station, ABC affiliate WPBFinWest Palm Beach, Florida.[4]
The company divested itself of both the radio group and major-network affiliated television stations in 1998, focusing on building its own independent TV network, "PAX TV". The company focused on acquiring UHF television stations. Some of these stations are out-of-market stations, such as WPXDinAnn Arbor, Michigan (45 miles (72 km) from Detroit), KXLI in St. Cloud, Minnesota (60 miles (97 km) from Minneapolis), WTLK in Rome, Georgia (45 miles (72 km) from Atlanta), WPXJinPavilion, New York (45 miles (72 km) from both Buffalo and Rochester, New York), and WAYK in Melbourne, Florida (60 miles (97 km) from Orlando). Still in some markets the company bought low-rated stations that had the same type of signals as established stations with medium to high ratings. These stations included WCFC in Chicago (religious), WTGI in Wilmington, Delaware (brokered), WAKC in Akron, Ohio (Cleveland's secondary ABC affiliate), and channel 35 in Miami (Shopping), among others. In the fall of 1997, a tentative lineup was announced, and it included a family entertainment lineup of drama shows, movies, first-run shows, wildlife shows, sitcoms, and talk shows. The most expensive station acquisition was WBIS in New York City. The city government had sold this station to Dow Jones & Company and ITT in 1996 for nearly US$200 million. In January 1997, Dow Jones launched a business format called S+ during the day and a sports channel after 7 pm and on weekends. Dow Jones/ITT lost money on the operation, sold the station for about $225 million in May 1997, and shut down S+ that June in favor of Bloomberg Business News, Fox Sports Net and a block previewing new networks, IntroTV. Channel 31 was renamed WPXN with plans to be the flagship station of PAX TV in the fall of 1998.[citation needed]
InPittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the company wanted to buy WPCB, channel 40, from Cornerstone Television, and move the license to channel 16 (which was, and still is, occupied by WINP-TV), with channel 40 used for educational purposes. The two agreed on a purchase price, but the Federal Communications Commission had too many questions about the deal, most relating to the type of broadcast license to be operated on each channel, and it fell through.[citation needed]
The PAX network was launched in 1998 with family dramas such as Life Goes On, Our House, Touched by an Angel, Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, Highway to Heaven, and Bonanza, a game show titled The Reel to Reel Picture Show, sitcoms Dave's World, Here's Lucy and The Hogan Family, and some movies. The network ran weekdays from noon until 1 am.[5] Due to low ratings and mounting financial costs, PAX TV soon reduced its hours. In 1999, they were reduced to between 3 pm and midnight, and in 2002, they were reduced again to 6 pm to midnight.[citation needed]
In September 1999, NBC bought a 32% stake in Paxson.[6] On December 4, 2001, it was announced that Paxson had filed with the FCC an arbitration to block NBC's acquisition of Telemundo.[7] In September 2002, it was announced that Paxson's arbitration against NBC was denied.[8] On November 13, NBC requested a redemption of its investment in Paxson of $549.2 million.[9][10] In August 2004, NBC Universal filed a lawsuit against Paxson.[11] On November 7, 2005, to settle several lawsuits between the company and NBC Universal, Lowell Paxson granted NBCU an 18-month transferable option to purchase his shares of the company in an agreement which, if activated, would also trigger a sale of the rest of the company. If Mr. Paxson's shares of the company weren't sold in the option window, the company was obligated to buy them back from Mr. Paxson. Concurrent with this deal, Mr. Paxson left the company, and was succeeded by R. Brandon Burgess in the role of President and CEO.[12][13]
DMA | Market | Station PSIP (RF) |
Years Owned | Sold To | Present Day |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Bridgeport, Connecticut - New York, New York | WHAI-TV/WIPX 43 (21)1 | 1996-1999 | Shop at Home Network - 1999 | MeTV+ owned and operated WZME, owned by Weigel Broadcasting |
9 | Washington, D.C. | WSIT-LP 422 | 1996-1999 | Capital Media - 1999 | Daystar owned and operated WDDN-LD on channel 23 |
11 | Phoenix | K67FE 67 | 1996-1999 | Spanish Independent Broadcasting Network - 1999 | K14RK-D, still owned by Spanish Independent Broadcasting Network, now on channel 38 |
19 | Cleveland - Akron - Canton, Ohio | WOAC 67 | N/A3 | Shop at Home Network - 1999 | TCT owned and operated WRLM, now on channel 47 |
30 | Salt Lake City - Provo - Ogden, Utah | KOOG-TV/KUPX 30 (35)4 | 1997-1999 | ACME Communications - 1999 | CW network affiliate KUCW, owned by Nexstar Media Group |
39 | Tequesta - West Palm Beach - Fort Pierce - Stuart - Vero Beach, Florida | WPBF 25 (16) | 1993-1997 | Hearst Corporation – 1997 | ABC network affiliate owned and operated by Hearst Television |
WTVX 34 (20) | N/A5 | Paramount Stations Group - 1997 | CW network affiliate owned by Sinclair Broadcast Group | ||
50 | Buffalo - Niagara Falls, New York | WNYP-TV 26 | 1966-1970 | New York State Board of Educational Services - 1970s | TCT owned and operated (O&O) as WNYB |
150 | Rochester - Austin - Albert Lea - Mason City, Minnesota/Iowa | KXLT-TV 47 (26)6 | 1996-1997 | Shockley Communications - 1997 | Fox network affiliate owned by SagamoreHill Broadcasting |
AM Station | FM Station |
Rank | Market | Station | Years Owned | Sold To | Present Day |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
11 | Miami - Fort Lauderdale - Hollywood, Florida | WIOD 610 | 1996-1998 | Clear Channel Communications - 1998 | Owned by iHeartMedia |
WINZ 940 | 1992-1998 | Owned by iHeartMedia | |||
WFTL 1400 | 1995-1998 | WFLL; owned by Nossa Rádio | |||
WSRF 1580 | 1996-1997 | Entertainment Radio Systems, Inc. - 1997 | Owned by Niche Radio, Inc. | ||
WLVE 93.9 | 1992-1998 | Clear Channel Communications - 1998 | WMIA-FM; owned by iHeartMedia | ||
WZTA 94.9 | 1991-1998 | WZTU; owned by iHeartMedia | |||
WPLL 103.5 | 1996-1998 | WMIB; owned by iHeartMedia | |||
WEAT-FM 104.31 | 1997-1998[14] | WSFS; owned by Audacy, Inc. | |||
17 | Tampa - St. Petersburg - Clearwater, Florida | WTKN/WHNZ 570 | 1991-1998 | Clear Channel Communications - 1998 | WTBN; owned by Salem Media Group |
WNZE/WZTM 820 | 1995-1998 | WWBA; owned by Genesis Communications | |||
WWQT 14702 | 1970s-? | Unknown - ? | WMGG; owned by NIA Broadcasting Inc. | ||
WEZY/WSJT 94.13 | 1993-1998 | Clear Channel Communications - 1998 | WLLD; owned by Beasley Broadcast Group | ||
WKES/WILV 91.1/101.54 | 1997-1998 | WPOI; owned by Cox Media Group | |||
WHPT 102.55 | 1991-1998 | Owned by Cox Media Group | |||
29 | Orlando, Florida | WGTO/WWZN/WQTM 540 | 1994-1998 | Clear Channel Communications - 1998 | WFLF; owned by iHeartMedia |
WWNZ 740 | 1991-1998 | WYGM; owned by iHeartMedia | |||
WPRD 1440 | 1993-1998 | Owned by J & V Communications, Inc. | |||
WDIZ/WSHE 100.3 | 1996-1998 | WRUM; owned by iHeartMedia | |||
WVRI/WJRR 101.1 | 1993-1998 | Owned by iHeartMedia | |||
WSSP/WZTU/WHVE/WWNZ-FM/WTKS 104.1 | 1991-1993 1996-1998 |
Press Broadcasting - 1993 Clear Channel Communications - 1998 |
WTKS-FM; owned by iHeartMedia | ||
WMGF 107.7 | 1993-1998 | Clear Channel Communications - 1998 | Owned by iHeartMedia | ||
40 | Nashville, Tennessee | WPTN 780 | 1994-1998 | Clear Channel Communications - 1998 | Owned by Cookeville Communications, LLC |
WHUB 1400 | 1996-1998 | Owned by Cookeville Communications, LLC | |||
WGSQ 94.7 | 1994-1998 | Owned by Cookeville Communications, LLC | |||
WHUB-FM/WGIC 98.5 | 1996-1998 | WKSW; owned by Zimmer Broadcasting, LLC | |||
46 | Jacksonville, Florida | WNZS 930 | 1993-1998 | Clear Channel Communications - 1998 | WFXJ; owned by iHeartMedia |
WZNZ 1460 | WQOP; owned by Relevant Radio | ||||
WAIA/WPLA 92.7 | WJBT (93.3 FM); owned by iHeartMedia | ||||
WFSJ 97.9 | 1997-1998 | WKSL; owned by iHeartMedia | |||
WPVJ/WTLK-FM 106.5 | 1996-1998 | WXXJ; owned by Cox Media Group | |||
WCRJ-FM/WROO 107.3 | 1991-1998 | WWJK; owned by iHeartMedia | |||
48 | West Palm Beach - Boca Raton, Florida | WEAT 850 | 1997-1998[14] | James Crystal Enterprises - 1998 | WFTL; owned by Hubbard Radio |
WBZT 1290 | 1995-1998 | Clear Channel Communications - 1998 | WJNO; owned by iHeartMedia | ||
WOLL 94.3 | 1997-1998[14] | WRLX; owned by iHeartMedia | |||
WKGR 98.7 | 1995-1998 | Owned by iHeartMedia | |||
WIRK-FM 107.9 | 1997-1998[14] | Infinity Broadcasting - 1998 | WEAT; owned by Hubbard Radio | ||
60 | Rochester, New York | WACK 1420 | 1962-? | Unknown - ? | Owned by Waynco Radio, Inc. |
123 | Pensacola, Florida | WTKX-FM 101.5 | 1996-1998 | Clear Channel Communications - 1998 | Owned by iHeartMedia |
WOWW-FM/WYCL 107.3 | WRGV; owned by iHeartMedia | ||||
158 | Tallahassee - Thomasville, Florida/Georgia | WNLS 1270 | 1996-1998 | Clear Channel Communications - 1998 | WTLY; owned by iHeartMedia |
WTNT-FM 94.9 | Owned by iHeartMedia | ||||
WTPS/WJZT 100.7 | WFLA-FM; owned by iHeartMedia | ||||
WXSR 101.5 | Owned by iHeartMedia | ||||
WSNI 107.1 | WGMY; owned by iHeartMedia | ||||
226 | Panama City, Florida | WDIZ 590 | 1996-1998 | Clear Channel Communications - 1998 | Taken off-air and license cancelled as WDDV in 2020 |
WPAP-FM 92.5 | Owned by iHeartMedia | ||||
WPBH 94.5 | WFLF-FM; owned by iHeartMedia | ||||
WFSY 98.5 | Owned by iHeartMedia | ||||
WEBZ-FM/WSHF 99.3 | WEBZ; owned by iHeartMedia | ||||
UNR | Key West - Key Largo - Marathon - Islamorada - Plantation Key, Florida |
WKRY 93.7 | 1996-1998 | Clear Channel Communications - 1998 | WKEY-FM; owned by Spottswood Partners II, Ltd |
WFKZ 103.1 | Owned by Florida Keys Media, LLC | ||||
WAVK 105.5 | WWWK; owned by Florida Keys Media, LLC | ||||
Jamestown - Dunkirk - Fredonia - Warren, New York/Pennsylvania | WXYJ 1340 | 1966-? | Unknown - ? | WKSN; owned by Media One Group |
In 2006, the company adopted its current name.[15][16]
In May 2007, Ion, NBC Universal, and Citadel LLC reached an agreement for the recapitalization of Ion. Citadel acquired the public common stock of the company, as part of the plan to take the company private. In addition, Citadel invested $100 million of new capital into the company to further support management's plan to revitalize the TV network.[17][18]
In November 2007, Ion Media Networks was taken to trial, having been sued in Federal Court by Positive Ions, Inc for trademark infringement of the use of the word Ion,[19] resulting in a $1.7 million settlement awarded to Positive Ions, Inc.[20]
In 2008, Ion Media Networks and Comcast reached an agreement to not only continue to carry Ion Television, but also introduced two new digital networks Qubo and Ion Life.[21] By January 2009, Ion had another subchannel network, Urban TV, in the works with BET founder Robert L. Johnson targeted to African-Americans.[22]
In April 2009, it was announced that Ion Media Networks was once again facing balance sheet problems. The company disclosed that it was in discussions with lenders on "a comprehensive recapitalization" of its balance sheet. That translates to an effort to restructure its considerable debt, which stands at $2.7 billion as of April 2009, according to The Wall Street Journal.
On May 19, 2009, Ion Media Networks filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, putting the Ion network under bankruptcy for the second time, saying it had reached an agreement with holders of 60% of its first lien secured debt that would extinguish all of its $2.7 billion in legacy debt and preferred stock and recapitalize the company with a $150 million new funding commitment.[23] It emerged from bankruptcy in December, under the ownership of its bondholders & secured lenders/first lien holders, wiping out Citadel's ownership.[24]
In late 2009, a trio of private equity companies (Black Diamond Capital Management, Avenue Capital Group, & Trilogy Capital) purchased a 62.5% controlling stake in Ion Media Networks from the Ion Media Liquidating Trust (the legal entity selling the stake) through their partnership, Media Holdco L.P. (43.7% owned by Black Diamond via its BD Ion Media GP Holdings subsidiary; 15.8% by Trilogy via its Trilogy Ion, LLC subsidiary; & 40.5% by Avenue via its Avenue Ion Holdings LP subsidiary). The remaining 37.5% of Ion Media Networks remained with the company's senior investors from previous rounds of financing.[25][26][27]
Ion Media Networks signed carriage agreements in May 2010 with Advanced Cable Communications and Comcast Colorado Springs for Qubo and Ion Life and with Blue Ridge Cable for Qubo.[28]
By 2012, Media Holdco's stake in Ion Media Networks was at 87%,[29] with the company's senior investors from previous rounds of financing holding 13%.
Sometime in 2013, Ion Media Networks signed a deal with Liberty Media to bring the QVC and HSN networks to most of its Ion Television O&O stations throughout the country on digital subchannels X.5 and X.6.
In December 2013, the United States bankruptcy court approved a plan by creditors of Roberts Broadcasting to transfer East St. Louis-based WRBU and its sister stations, WZRBinColumbia and WAZE-LPinEvansville, Indiana, to a trust with Ion Media Networks (a creditor in Roberts' chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, which it filed for in 2011) as its beneficiary, with Roberts' attorney subsequently stating that Ion Media Networks would purchase the three stations.[30][31] The deal is complete on February 10, 2014, and both WZRB and WRBU became Ion stations.
Also in December 2013, Black Diamond purchased Avenue & Trilogy's stakes in Media Holdco, placing Black Diamond as Media Holdco's sole shareholder.[32]
As of November 2014, Media Holdco's majority equity stake in Ion Media Networks is at 85%,[3] leaving the company's senior investors from previous rounds of financing with a minority stake of 15%.
On April 20, 2017, Ion Media Networks, through its website, announced a name change to "Ion Media" (with the company still legally operating as "Ion Media Networks").[33]
On August 2, 2017, it was reported that 21st Century Fox was proposing that Ion Media contribute its stations into a joint venture with its Fox Television Stations division, to create a larger station group in an effort to counter Sinclair Broadcast Group and their proposed purchase of Tribune Media. The proposal also included the possibility for as many as 26 stations owned by Sinclair or Tribune to be switched from Fox after existing affiliation contracts expire. It has been argued that this deal was intended to place pressure on Sinclair to abandon its acquisition, lest it potentially lose Fox affiliations to the venture.[34][35]
An analyst felt the proposed partnership was hampered by Ion Media's decision to assert must-carry status over its stations rather than retransmission consent, as Fox would be unable to immediately benefit financially from the partnership's scale, which would have included being able to collect carriage payments for all of the stations. The analyst added that Ion stations alone did not have enough leverage to negotiate with television providers, because of their limited local or first-run programming.[36][37][38]
On September 24, 2020, Ion Media agreed to be acquired by The E. W. Scripps Company for $2.65 billion, with Berkshire Hathaway making an investment in Scripps to help finance the purchase.[39] The transaction, which is projected to close in the first quarter of 2021 and is subject to FCC approval, would see Ion Media and its networks combined with Scripps' Katz Broadcasting subsidiary, which already operates five specialty networks, most notably Bounce TV and Court TV. Scripps would also sell 23 of Ion Media's 71 television stations to comply with national ownership caps; the buyer, revealed in an October 2020 FCC filing to be Inyo Broadcast Holdings, has promised to maintain the stations' Ion Television affiliations after the purchase.[40][41][42] However, the number of stations to be sold increased according to a Public Applications Report from the FCC on October 16, 2020, and although unconfirmed, it is possible that Scripps could still operates at least some of these stations. Whether or not that pans out remains to be seen.[43] As of October 17, 2020, 27 stations are likely up for sale; however, three of those stations in Philadelphia, San Francisco and Minneapolis are predicated and contingent upon whether Scripps can complete its sale of New York City's WPIXtoMission Broadcasting (to be operated by Nexstar Media Group) in time before these transactions are finalized.[42] If WPIX was sold before these transactions, then those stations will be retained. On October 20, broadcast industry website TV News Check confirmed the pending sales in a "station roundup" report outlining the stations slated to be sold, and the number being reduced to 26 again.[44]
That number, again, is cut down to 23, after Scripps was able to complete its sale of WPIX to Mission Broadcasting on December 30, 2020. As such, Scripps would keep its Ion stations in San Francisco, Philadelphia and Minneapolis.[45][46]
The transaction, which closed on January 7, 2021,[47] saw Ion Television, Ion Plus, and Qubo integrated into Scripps' Katz Broadcasting subsidiary (operator of fellow multicast networks Court TV, Ion Mystery, Bounce TV, Laff and Grit).[48]
On January 14, 2021, Scripps announced that it would discontinue Ion Plus and Qubo effective February 28, 2021. The spectrum allocated to the networks on the former Ion Media stations will be repurposed to carry the Katz-owned networks starting March 1, with the initial slate of Ion Television O&Os adding those networks following the expiration of Scripps/Katz's existing contracts with other broadcasting companies the day prior, and other stations following suit as contracts with existing affiliates expire throughout 2021 and 2022; in markets where major network affiliates operated by Scripps already carry a Katz-owned network, some will be offloaded to the Ion stations to free up limited spectrum capacity during the ATSC 3.0 transition. Several of the Ion Plus full-power stations paired with Ion Television stations were also concurrently sold off to Inyo Broadcast Holdings in order to alleviate local ownership conflicts and national cap issues related to Scripps' purchase of Ion Media under the FCC's regulatory station ownership limits.[49]
In October 2021, Scripps notified the Federal Communications Commission that it had closed the local facilities of the Ion Media stations (with those in duopoly markets having their operations consolidated with the existing Scripps commercial station), and consolidated the regulatory 'studios' for all of the stations at Scripps CenterinCincinnati. The FCC had repealed the Main Studio Rule in 2019 requiring a facility for each station in their local market, and for all intents and purposes, the studios were all office suites with almost no broadcast equipment containing mainly the station's public file with a minimum staff of one engineer and one general manager merely maintaining the network's transmitters. The network's operations remain based out of West Palm Beach.[50]
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