Logo

CBS and Gray TV Renew Affiliation Pact

Dec 20, 2004  •  Post A Comment

CBS and Gray Television on Monday announced a “historic” affiliation renewal deal for 16 Gray-owned CBS affiliates that collectively reach more than 3.2 million viewers.

Gray owns more CBS-affiliated stations than anyone other than CBS parent Viacom. Peter Schruth, president of affiliate relations for CBS, said the 16 stations — ranging from WVLT-TV in Knoxville, Tenn., the 58th-largest market in the country, to WCAV-TV in Charlottesville, Va., the 185th market — add up to the largest number of CBS affiliates to renew at one time.

“It’s a reaffirmation of the outstanding business relationship we have with Gray, one that will continue for many years to come. We’re very pleased and proud to be their partners in these markets,” Mr. Schruth said.

Gray Television President and Chief Operating Officer Robert Prather Jr. said, “One of our company’s primary missions is to provide our audiences and advertisers with the very best mix of local and network news, entertainment and sports programming. These new long-term affiliation agreements with CBS are key to helping us fulfill this important mission. We look forward to leveraging the growth opportunities that come with our stations’ affiliation with America’s most watched network.”

Atlanta-based Gray also operates seven NBC-affiliated TV stations, seven ABC affiliates, three UPN affiliates and five daily newspapers.