FCC Approves First New Combination of Top-Four Rated Television Stations in More Than Five Years with Grant of Gray’s KXLT Assignment Application
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has granted Gray Media approval to acquire KXLT-TV (FOX) in the Rochester, Minnesota television market, where it already owns KTTC-TV (NBC). This marks the first FCC approval of a new combination of two full-power, top-four ranked, same-market television stations in over five years.
The FCC's Media Bureau granted a waiver of local ownership rules and issued their decision just two months after the application submission - reportedly the fastest processing time for a duopoly waiver in Commission history. Gray plans to combine the resources of both stations to enhance viewer service in the Rochester market.
La Commissione Federale delle Comunicazioni (FCC) ha concesso a Gray Media l'approvazione per acquisire KXLT-TV (FOX) nel mercato televisivo di Rochester, Minnesota, dove possiede già KTTC-TV (NBC). Questo segna la prima approvazione della FCC per una nuova combinazione di due stazioni televisive di piena potenza, tra le prime quattro classificate, nello stesso mercato in oltre cinque anni.
Il Bureau dei Media della FCC ha concesso una deroga alle norme sulla proprietà locale e ha emesso la loro decisione solo due mesi dopo la presentazione della domanda - riportando il tempo di elaborazione più veloce per una deroga al duopolio nella storia della Commissione. Gray prevede di combinare le risorse di entrambe le stazioni per migliorare il servizio agli spettatori nel mercato di Rochester.
La Comisión Federal de Comunicaciones (FCC) ha otorgado a Gray Media la aprobación para adquirir KXLT-TV (FOX) en el mercado televisivo de Rochester, Minnesota, donde ya posee KTTC-TV (NBC). Esto marca la primera aprobación de la FCC para una nueva combinación de dos estaciones de televisión de plena potencia, clasificadas entre las cuatro mejores, en el mismo mercado en más de cinco años.
La Oficina de Medios de la FCC otorgó una exención a las normas de propiedad local y emitió su decisión solo dos meses después de la presentación de la solicitud, lo que se informa como el tiempo de procesamiento más rápido para una exención de duopolio en la historia de la Comisión. Gray planea combinar los recursos de ambas estaciones para mejorar el servicio a los espectadores en el mercado de Rochester.
연방통신위원회(FCC)는 그레이 미디어가 미네소타 로체스터의 텔레비전 시장에서 KXLT-TV(FOX)를 인수하는 것을 승인했습니다. 이 시장에서 그레이 미디어는 이미 KTTC-TV(NBC)를 소유하고 있습니다. 이는 5년 이상 만에 같은 시장 내 두 개의 풀파워 상위 4위 텔레비전 방송국의 새로운 조합에 대한 FCC의 첫 승인입니다.
FCC의 미디어국은 지역 소유 규정에 대한 면제를 승인하고 신청서 제출 후 단 두 달 만에 결정을 내렸습니다. 이는 위원회 역사상 가장 빠른 듀오폴리 면제 처리 시간으로 알려져 있습니다. 그레이는 두 방송국의 자원을 결합하여 로체스터 시장에서 시청자 서비스를 향상시킬 계획입니다.
La Commission fédérale des communications (FCC) a accordé à Gray Media l'approbation pour acquérir KXLT-TV (FOX) sur le marché télévisuel de Rochester, Minnesota, où elle possède déjà KTTC-TV (NBC). Cela marque la première approbation de la FCC pour une nouvelle combinaison de deux stations de télévision de pleine puissance, classées parmi les quatre premières, dans le même marché depuis plus de cinq ans.
Le Bureau des médias de la FCC a accordé une dérogation aux règles de propriété locale et a rendu sa décision seulement deux mois après la soumission de la demande - ce qui serait le temps de traitement le plus rapide pour une dérogation de duopole dans l'histoire de la Commission. Gray prévoit de combiner les ressources des deux stations pour améliorer le service aux téléspectateurs sur le marché de Rochester.
Die Bundeskommunikationskommission (FCC) hat Gray Media die Genehmigung erteilt, KXLT-TV (FOX) im Fernsehmarkt von Rochester, Minnesota, zu erwerben, wo sie bereits KTTC-TV (NBC) besitzt. Dies markiert die erste Genehmigung der FCC für eine neue Kombination von zwei Vollleistungsfernsehstationen, die unter den ersten vier eingestuft sind, im selben Markt seit über fünf Jahren.
Das Medienbüro der FCC hat eine Ausnahme von den lokalen Eigentumsregeln gewährt und seine Entscheidung nur zwei Monate nach Einreichung des Antrags getroffen - Berichten zufolge die schnellste Bearbeitungszeit für eine Duopol-Ausnahme in der Geschichte der Kommission. Gray plant, die Ressourcen beider Stationen zu kombinieren, um den Zuschauer-Service im Markt Rochester zu verbessern.
- First FCC approval for top-four station combination in 5+ years
- Record-fast approval process (2 months) for duopoly waiver
- Strategic expansion in Rochester market through station acquisition
- Potential operational synergies through combined station resources
- None.
ATLANTA, March 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) today granted a waiver of its local ownership rules to permit Gray Media to acquire KXLT-TV (FOX) in the Rochester, Minnesota, television market, where Gray already owns KTTC-TV (NBC). Today’s action represents the first FCC approval of a new combination of two full-power, top-four ranked, same-market television stations in over five years. Importantly, the FCC’s Media Bureau’s grant and written decision come just two months after the parties applied for approval of the transaction, which appears to represent the shortest processing time for a duopoly waiver in Commission history.
“Gray appreciates the FCC Media Bureau’s careful consideration of our waiver request and its recognition of the marketplace in which today’s local television stations compete for viewers and advertisers,” said Kevin Latek, Gray’s Chief Legal and Development Officer. “We look forward to leveraging the combined resources of KTTC-TV and KXLT-TV to improve service for viewers in the Rochester market.”
About Gray Media:
Gray Media, Inc. (NYSE: GTN) is a multimedia company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. The company is the nation’s largest owner of top-rated local television stations and digital assets serving 113 television markets that collectively reach approximately 37 percent of US television households. The portfolio includes 78 markets with the top-rated television station and 99 markets with the first and/or second highest rated television station during 2024, as well as the largest Telemundo Affiliate group with 44 markets. The company also owns Gray Digital Media, a full-service digital agency offering national and local clients digital marketing strategies with the most advanced digital products and services. Gray’s additional media properties include video production companies Raycom Sports, Tupelo Media Group, and PowerNation Studios, and studio production facilities Assembly Atlanta and Third Rail Studios. For more information, please visit www.graymedia.com.
Gray Contact:
Kevin P. Latek, Executive Vice President, Chief Legal and Development Officer, 404-266-8333
FAQ
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