Gray Television Forms New Sports and Entertainment Revenue Group

Rhea-AI Summary

Gray Television has established a new entity, Gray Sports + Entertainment Sales, to enhance its media revenue generation. This group will manage sponsorship and advertising for Gray's internal content production, highlighting the company's extensive portfolio, including Raycom Sports and Tupelo Honey. The team is led by Bill Lancaster and Joel Lewin, both seasoned professionals in sales and marketing. Following acquisitions of Quincy Media and Meredith Corporation, Gray will become the second-largest television broadcaster in the U.S., reaching 36% of U.S. TV households.

Positive

• Formation of Gray Sports + Entertainment Sales to boost revenue from internal content production.
• Acquisitions of Quincy Media and Meredith Corporation to significantly expand market reach.
• Establishment of a leadership team with extensive experience in media sales.

Negative

• None.

ATLANTA, June 18, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Gray Television, Inc. (“Gray”) (NYSE: GTN) has formed a new sales and sponsorship entity called Gray Sports + Entertainment Sales to represent the company’s internal content production portfolio to brands and advertising agencies. The new group is responsible for revenue generation of Gray-owned media and sponsorship assets.

In addition to owning the largest portfolio of top-rated local television stations and digital assets in the country, Gray owns Raycom Sports, Tupelo Honey, and RTM Studios. These three video production companies collectively produce hundreds of hours of sports and entertainment programming each year through live events, original content, and branded entertainment for all types of platforms. Some of these properties include:

• World Chase Tag, an emerging cultural phenomenon that combines the athleticism of parkour with the age-old game of tag.
• The ACC Digital Network, the official home for all the best ACC digital, video and social content
• Origin Sports, bringing fans the biggest names in sports before they were stars.
• PowerNation, America’s most-watched automotive how-to programming.
• Full Court Press, hosted by Greta Van Susteren, a weekly program shining a light on the local impact of national politics.
• The Song, a multi-genre music and entertainment series that shares the incredible stories behind the biggest songs ever written and recorded.

Gray Sports + Entertainment Sales is led by Bill Lancaster, currently Vice President of Sales for both Raycom Sports and RTM Studios. Lancaster will be responsible for the group’s strategy and execution. Before joining Gray in 2016, Lancaster spent 20 years with Gannett/TEGNA in a variety of leadership roles.

Joel Lewin joins the group as Senior Director of Revenue Development. Lewin brings more than 30 years of sales and marketing experience. He joins Gray from Warner Bros. Television, where he served most recently as Vice President-Media Sales since 2001 and as Vice President, Station Sales prior to that.

“One of the great strengths of Gray Television is the passionate communities we represent through the broad array of content we produce and distribute across many different platforms” said Pat LaPlatney, President and Co-CEO of Gray Television.  “This initiative showcases our unique programming to marketers through high-impact sponsorships and will help us serve our customers more effectively.”

Gray previously announced agreements to acquire Quincy Media and Meredith Corporation. Following the anticipated closings of these transactions later this year, Gray will become the nation’s second largest television broadcaster. At that time, Gray’s portfolio of television stations will serve 113 local markets reaching approximately 36 percent of US television households.

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 the closing of its acquisition of Quincy Media, Inc., Gray will own television stations serving 102 television markets that collectively reach 25.4 percent of US television households, including the number-one ranked television station in 77 markets and the first and/or second highest ranked television station in 93 markets according to Comscore’s average all-day ratings for calendar year 2020. 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.

www.gray.tv

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FAQ

What is Gray Television's new sales entity called?

Gray Television has formed a new sales entity named Gray Sports + Entertainment Sales.

Who leads Gray Sports + Entertainment Sales?

The group is led by Bill Lancaster, with Joel Lewin as Senior Director of Revenue Development.

What is the significance of the acquisitions by Gray Television?

With the acquisitions of Quincy Media and Meredith Corporation, Gray will become the second-largest television broadcaster in the U.S.

How many U.S. television households will Gray reach after the acquisitions?

After the anticipated acquisitions, Gray's portfolio will reach approximately 36% of U.S. television households.

What kind of content does Gray Sports + Entertainment Sales represent?

The entity represents Gray's internal content production, including live sports events and entertainment programming.