Scripps Company acquires KPAX, other Montana stations from Cordillera
The E.W. Scripps Company on Wednesday completed the acquisition of 15 television stations in 10 markets, including Montana, owned by Cordillera Communications.
The purchase includes KPAX in Missoula and KTVQ in Billings, along with stations in Bozeman, Great Falls and Helena. It also includes stations in Colorado, California, Texas, Kentucky and Louisianan.
“This acquisition furthers Scripps’ strategies to increase the financial durability and operating performance of our broadcast portfolio,” Brian Lawlor, president of local media, said in a statement issued with the announcement.
The acquisition increases the footprint of local stations owned by Scripps to 52 in 36 markets, providing a reach of nearly 21 percent of U.S. television households, according to the company.
Recently, Scripps also announced its acquisition of eight stations in seven markets resulting from the Nexstar-Tribune merger.
When that transaction is complete, Scripps will operate 60 stations in 42 markets, making it the nation’s fourth-largest broadcaster with a 30 percent market share.
“We welcome these stations’ employees to the Scripps team and look forward to working together to continue our strong commitment to journalism and serving local communities,” said Lawlor.
The stations joining Scripps’ television portfolio include:
- WLEX, the NBC affiliate in Lexington, Kentucky
- KOAA, the NBC affiliate in Colorado Springs, Colorado
- KATC, the ABC affiliate in Lafayette, Louisiana
- KSBY, the NBC affiliate in Santa Barbara-San Luis Obispo, California
- KRIS, the NBC affiliate, and KAJA, a Telemundo affiliate, in Corpus Christi, Texas
- KPAX and KAJJ, the CBS affiliates in Missoula, Montana
- KTVQ, the CBS affiliate in Billings, Montana
- KXLF and KBZK, the CBS affiliates in Butte-Bozeman, Montana
- KRTV, the CBS affiliate, and KTGF, the NBC affiliate, in Great Falls, Montana
- KTVH, the NBC affiliate, and KXLH, the CBS affiliate, in Helena, Montana