$3 Million Buy For North Mississippi Station Could Keep Entire Market “All In The Family”

WXVT-TV

WXVT-TV, the CBS affiliate for the Greenwood-Greenville market in Mississippi, will soon have a new owner, according to federal filings and pending FCC approval. And that owner’s family would control every station in that market if approved.

Is that legal? Apparently it could be.

Everything You Wanted To Know About Alabama’s Broadcast Television Markets

It is true: if you’re a sports anchor-wannabe, a job in Alabama could be your goal, and there’s plenty of diversity among media markets to choose from. Where else can you cover the self-proclaimed king of SEC football?

• Birmingham (Anniston/Tuscaloosa) is the state’s biggest market, at #43. Stations include: WBRC (FOX), WVTM (NBC), WTTO (CW), WIAT (CBS), WBMA-LP (ABC) and WABM (MyTV). WBRC claims ratings dominance here, but given it’s a FOX affiliate (and its newscasts are on one hour earlier than the other affiliates), that’s a difficult pill to swallow. No clear winner here. All stations provide their newscasts in high definition.
• Next on the list is a market that is shared with the Florida panhandle: Mobile-Pensacola (Ft. Walton). The hyphenated market ranks 59th among Nielsen markets nationwide. Stations include: WEAR (ABC), WKRG (CBS), WALA (FOX), WPMI (NBC) WFGX (MyTV) and WFNA (CW). All stations air newscasts in high definition.
• The third top-100 station in the state, Huntsville-Decatur (Florence), is another hyphenated market, coming in at No. 79. Stations include: WHDF (CW), WHNT (CBS), WAAY (ABC), WAFF (NBC) and WZDX (FOX). All news-producing stations provide newscasts in high definition.
• Montgomery-Selma is the next station in Alabama, comprising the capital city. It’s ranked #121 among Nielsen media markets. Stations include: WAKA (CBS), WSFA (NBC), WCOV (FOX), WBMM (CW) and WNCF (ABC). WSFA has been the market leader for decades. All stations air newscasts in high definition.
• Another market that straddles state borders is the Columbus, GA (Opelika, AL) DMA, market #126. Interestingly enough, it also straddles the CST and EST time zones. Stations include: WRBL (CBS), WTVM (ABC), WLTZ (NBC) and WXTX (FOX). WTVM is the ratings leader in this market. All stations broadcast newscasts in HD.
• Dothan rounds out the Alabama markets, at #173. Stations include: WTVY (CBS), WDHN (ABC) and WDFX (FOX). WTVY is the ratings leader. Only WDHN does not air newscasts in HD.

(Above was updated February 1, 2015)

That covers another one of several states we’ll be covering. If you work for one of these affiliates and have news about new hires, on-air graphic updates, HD overhauls, or anything that would be of interest to this local news blog, please let us know.. I’m not necessarily talking about station gossip, but that works, too. If someone uttered a profane word on-air, for example, that’d be something. Station sales, downsizing, things like that are also newsworthy. You can do so anonymously, of course, but have to prove you work for the station in question for credibility purposes by sending us an email to southtvnewser@gmail.com.

Everything You Wanted To Know About Tennessee’s Broadcast Television Markets

We’re more than halfway through our journey of states featured on South TV News, and Tennessee has a lot to offer within its borders.

• At the top of the list, Tennessee’s capital of Nashville sits comfortably at market No. 29, according to Nielsen 2014-15 statistics. Stations here include: WKRN (ABC), WSMV (NBC), WTVF (CBS), WZTV (FOX), WUXP (MyTV) and WNAB (CW). WSMV and WTVF usually go neck-and-neck for first place in the ratings wars. All stations in the market broadcast newscasts in high-definition.
• Memphis follows as the state’s most populous city, situated near the borders of two other states, Mississippi and Arkansas. It also is designated as market No. 50. Stations include: WREG (CBS), WMC (NBC), WHBQ (FOX), WATN (ABC) and WLMT (CW, MyTV). WMC dominated the Memphis market in ratings for years, but now WREG has been winning the battle consistently for months. All station broadcast their newscasts in high definition.
• Not far behind Memphis in market size yet on the other end of the state is Knoxville, at #61. Stations include: WATE (ABC), WVLT (CBS), WBIR (NBC), WBXX (CW) and WTNZ (FOX). All stations air their newscasts in HD.
• Next in line is Chattanooga, No. 88. Stations include: WRCB (NBC), WTVC (ABC), WDEF (CBS), WFLI (CW) and WDSI (FOX). WTVC leads the ratings war there, according to figures from the last Nielsen ratings period. Only WRCB and WDEF broadcast newscasts in high definition.
• A little farther down is Tri-Cities, TN-VA, a market that extends into Virginia as well. It rates at #97. Stations include: WCYB (NBC), WJHL (CBS), WKPT (ABC), WEMT (FOX) and WAPK (MyTV). WCYB is the market leader for most newscasts in the ratings war. WJHL, WCYB and WEMT broadcast their newscasts in HD.
• Last is Jackson, at market No. 176. Stations include WBBJ (ABC) and WJKT (FOX). WBBJ is the only station with a locally-produced newscast in this market, but competes in certain counties with stations from the Memphis DMA. WJKT airs a simulcast provided by Memphis station WPTY. Only WBBJ’s newscasts are in high definition.

(Above updated February 1, 2015)

That covers another one of several states we’ll be covering. If you work for one of these affiliates and have news about new hires, on-air graphic updates, HD overhauls, or anything that would be of interest to this local news blog, please let us know.. I’m not necessarily talking about station gossip, but that works, too. If someone uttered a profane word on-air, for example, that’d be something. Station sales, downsizing, things like that are also newsworthy. You can do so anonymously, of course, but have to prove you work for the station in question for credibility purposes by sending us an email to southtvnewser@gmail.com.

Everything You Wanted To Know About Mississippi’s Broadcast Television Markets

Our third state on the list doesn’t have any Top 50 markets (as defined by Nielsen) but still has several smaller ones statewide.

• The biggest is the state capital, Jackson, at #94. Stations include: WLBT (NBC), WJTV (CBS), WAPT (ABC), WRBJ (CW), WUFX (MyTV) and WDBD (FOX). WLBT leads the ratings war in Jackson, though in recent years that lead has not been as dominant, with WAPT running a close second. WLBT, WDBD, WJTV and WUFX broadcast newscasts in HD.
• Next in line is the Columbus-Tupelo-West Point-Houston market (as defined by Nielsen), #133. Stations include: WCBI (CBS), WTVA (NBC/ABC) and WLOV (FOX). All stations broadcast their newscasts in high definition.
• Biloxi-Gulfport, market #160, is located in the southern part of the state. Stations include: WLOX (ABC/CBS) and WXXV (NBC/FOX). Both stations air local newscasts in high definition.
• Next is the Hattiesburg-Laurel market, No. 167. Stations include: WDAM (NBC), WHLT (CBS) and WRBJ (CW). Only WDAM has newscasts in high definition.
• Meridian follows, in market #189. Stations include WTOK (ABC), WMDN (CBS) and WGBC (NBC). Only WTOK has HD newscasts.
• Last in the state, the Greenwood-Greenville market, #190. Stations include WABG (ABC/FOX), WXVT (CBS) and WNBD-LP (NBC). WABG remains the market leader in ratings. None of the stations has high-def newscasts.

(Above was updated February 1, 2015)

That covers another one of several states we’ll be covering. If you work for one of these affiliates and have news about new hires, on-air graphic updates, HD overhauls, or anything that would be of interest to this local news blog, please let us know.. I’m not necessarily talking about station gossip, but that works, too. If someone uttered a profane word on-air, for example, that’d be something. Station sales, downsizing, things like that are also newsworthy. You can do so anonymously, of course, but have to prove you work for the station in question for credibility purposes by sending us an email to southtvnewser@gmail.com.

Everything You Wanted To Know About Louisiana’s Broadcast Television Markets

There are seven media markets within Louisiana’s state borders:

• The biggest, of course, is New Orleans. Ranked 51st among U.S. media markets according to Nielsen Media, its stations include WWL (CBS), WDSU (NBC), WVUE (FOX), WGNO (ABC), WNOL (CW) and WUPL (MyTV). WWL has led Nielsen ratings in the city for nearly the last three decades. Only WVUE and WWL broadcast their newscasts in high definition; WDSU and WGNO broadcast their newscasts in widescreen standard definition.
• Shreveport, market 83, is the second-largest in the state. Stations include KTBS (ABC), KTAL (NBC), KSLA (CBS), KPXJ (CW), KMSS (FOX) and KSHV (MyTV). All three news-producing stations in the market — KTBS, KSLA, and KTAL — broadcast newscasts in HD.
• Next in line is Baton Rouge, market 93. Stations include: WBRZ (ABC), WAFB (CBS), WBXH (MyTV), WBRL (CW), WVLA (NBC) and WGMB (FOX).  WAFB remains first place in the ratings war. Currently, only WAFB, WBXH, and WBRZ broadcast their newscasts in high definition. WVLA’s newscasts are in 16:9 standard definition.
• And then we have Lafayette, market 124. Stations include: KATC (ABC), KLFY (CBS), KADN (FOX) and KLAF-LP (MyTV). KATC is the market leader for the area. Only KLFY broadcasts local newscasts in high definition.
• The Monroe-El Dorado market, #137, shares a good portion of its south Arkansas coverage area with northern Louisiana. Stations include: KNOE (CBS), KTVE (NBC), KMLU (ABC) and KARD (FOX). KNOE has been the market leader in news for more than 25 years; KNOE airs its newscasts in high definition. KTVE’s news operation is partial HD; studio cameras are not high definition, but their field cameras are.
• Further down the market ladder, at #174, is Lake Charles, with two stations: KPLC (NBC) and KVHP (FOX). Only KPLC broadcasts newscasts in high definition.
• The smallest market station in The Bayou State is Alexandria, at market 179. Stations include KALB (NBC/CBS), KLAX (ABC), KBCA (CW) and WNTZ (FOX). Though KLAX offers contributions from local reporters, its newscast is produced/anchored from Iowa. Only KALB produces and airs local news content in this market, and is easily the market leader as the first station in Alexandria. As such, only KALB broadcast newscasts in HD.

(Above was updated February 1, 2015)

That covers another one of several states we’ll be covering. If you work for one of these affiliates and have news about new hires, on-air graphic updates, HD overhauls, or anything that would be of interest to this local news blog, please let us know.. I’m not necessarily talking about station gossip, but that works, too. If someone uttered a profane word on-air, for example, that’d be something. Station sales, downsizing, things like that are also newsworthy. You can do so anonymously, of course, but have to prove you work for the station in question for credibility purposes by sending us an email to southtvnewser@gmail.com.

Everything You Wanted To Know About Arkansas’ Broadcast Television Markets

Within , there are four different media markets, as defined by Nielsen Media Research (2014-2015)

• The largest in the state, Little Rock-Pine Bluff, is ranked 56th in terms of population size.  It has a station from every major U.S. television network within its market: KARK (NBC), KATV (ABC), KTHV (CBS), KLRT (FOX), KASN (CW) and KARZ (MyTV).  KTHV has consistently been the market leader in ratings for the area. All stations mentioned above broadcast their newscasts in high definition.
• The second largest market is also hyphenated: Fort Smith-Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers. It’s ranked 101st by Nielsen and its DMA also includes a small portion of southeast Oklahoma. Stations include: KFSM (CBS/MyTV), KFTA (FOX), KHBS (ABC), KHOG (CW) and KNWA (NBC). KFSM has been the ratings leader for years. KHBS/KHOG broadcast their newscasts in 16:9 enhanced definition, not HD.
• The Monroe-El Dorado market, #137, shares a good portion of its south Arkansas coverage area with northern Louisiana. Stations include: KNOE (CBS), KTVE (NBC), KMLU (ABC) and KARD (FOX). KNOE has been the market leader in news for more than 25 years; KNOE airs its newscasts in high definition. KTVE’s news operation is partial HD; studio cameras are not high definition, but their field cameras are.
• Jonesboro, ranked 181st by Nielsen, has ABC affiliate KAIT and NBC affiliate KJNE-LP (as a subchannel of KAIT) within the DMA borders in terms of national network affiliates. The market is served by other stations from the Little Rock-Pine Bluff market, predominantly. KAIT began broadcasting newscasts in HD in October 2011. It’s also the smallest media market in the state.

(Above was updated February 1, 2015)

That covers just one of several states we’ll be covering. If you work for one of these affiliates and have news about new hires, on-air graphic updates, HD overhauls, or anything that would be of interest to this local news blog, please let us know.. I’m not necessarily talking about station gossip, but that works, too. If someone uttered a profane word on-air, for example, that’d be something. Station sales, downsizing, things like that are also newsworthy. You can do so anonymously, of course, but have to prove you work for the station in question for credibility purposes by sending us an email to southtvnewser@gmail.com.