Weigel Broadcasting to Sell 3 Stations

Chicago's Weigel Broadcasting announced it's selling its 3 low-power TV stations in the South Bend, IN, market to WSBT-Ch. 22, the CBS affiliate there owned by Schurz Communications. Pending a regulatory review of the sale's potential impact on the nation's #89 TV market, Schurz will take control of ABC affiliate WBND-Ch. 58, CW affiliate WCWW-Ch. 25 and My Network TV outlet WMYS-Ch. 69, all headquartered in Mishawaka, IN, by year's end. Terms weren't disclosed. EVP of Weigel Broadcasting said in a statement that this transaction will allow their company to focus on their core assets in Chicago and Milwaukee, as well as develop new business ventures such as “This,” their digital network channel venture with MGM Studios; their daily syndicated program, “First Business” and their Web properties. Weigel Broadcasting, that owns Chicago's WCIU-Ch. 26, WWME-Ch. 23 and WMEU-Ch. 48, recently announced a partnership with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios on a national offering called This TV Network, which will provide content for broadcasters to air on their digital sub-channels. Weigel's president said in his statement the company was proud of having maximized low power television broadcast facilities in the South Bend/ Michiana market, without which there would be no local ABC, CW or MyNetworkTV service and expressed confidence that under the leadership of WSBT, Inc. they will have enhanced opportunities and local service. The CEO of South Bend-based Schurz Communications, Inc. said in the announcement that his company looked forward to welcoming the employees of WBND, WCWW and WMYS to Schurz. Much of the 3 IN stations' operations are staffed out of Chicago, and Weigel looks to give those affected employees new duties; no layoffs are planned. Schurz Communications is a diversified, privately-owned 136-year-old company with holdings in IN, AL, KY, MD, PA, CA, FL, MO, MI, GA, SD, KS and VA. Its properties include two cable companies, 8 TV stations with an operating interest in a 9th, as well as a dozen daily and 7 weekly newspapers in medium and small markets with combined circulation of nearly 225,000. It also owns 13 radio stations, operating 3 more. WSBT’s president and GM said in a statement that this opportunity will enable WSBT to expand their local community service and better enable them to meet the changing needs of the market and the community.