CBS Corporation and Tribune Broadcasting this morning announced a long-term agreement that renews their existing affiliation agreements, and gives the broadcast network a new home in Indianapolis on Tribune Broadcasting’s WTTV.
Not mentioned in this morning’s announcement: The CW currently airs on WTTV, but will be bumped to the station’s multicast channel 4.2 . (Tribune’s other indie station FOX 59 remains the same.) WTTV becomes the new home of the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts beginning in 2015; the Trib station will also broadcast other live sports, including NCAA football and basketball games. And what of CBS’ current station in the market? LIN Media’s WISH-TV (Channel 8), loses the affiliation on January 1, 2015.
CBS agreed to the switch as part of a deal that includes early renewals for four Tribune Media-owned CBS affiliates: WREG-TV in Memphis, Tenn.; WHNT-TV in Huntsville, Ala; KFSM-TV in Ft. Smith, Ark., as well as a renewal for WTVR-TV in Richmond, Va. CBS also has renewed its affiliation agreement with Dreamcatcher Broadcasting’s Norfolk, Va., WTKR, to which Tribune Broadcasting provides operational support under a shared services agreement.
“There’s nothing more valuable to a local station than programming from the #1 television network, and Tribune Broadcasting has been a great partner in reaching this agreement,” said Ray Hopkins, President, Television Networks Distribution, CBS Corporation.
“Through WTTV’s new affiliation, we look forward to significantly enhancing our sports offerings, local news coverage and commitment to the community,” added Tribune Broadcasting President Larry Wert.
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