The parent companies of Savannah stations WSAV, WJCL and WTGS have announced plans to sell off two of their stations to help gain regulatory approval for a merger.
Media General, who announced merger plans with LIN Media on March 21, will keep NBC affiliate WSAV while Sinclair Broadcast Group will acquire Fox affiliate WTGS. Hearst Corp. will acquire ABC affiliate WJCL.
In a press release, Media General said the divestitures were necessary to comply with federal anti-trust laws related to their $1.6 billion merger. While expected, it was unclear what effects the sales would have on staffing and programming at those stations.
“The announcement made today does not affect our commitment to delivering the best news, weather, sports, information and programming to our local community,” said WJCL-WTGS General Manager Les Vann in a statement.
Both WTGS and WJCL operate from the Savannah Morning News headquarters off Chatham Parkway.
WSAV General Manager Deb Thompson couldn’t be reached for comment.
The merger is slated to close early next year.
Media General said it will divest television stations in a total of five markets, including Savannah, Birmingham, Ala.; New Bedford, Mass., and Providence, R.I.; Mobile, Ala., and Pensacola, Fla.; and Green Bay-Appleton, Wis.
“We’re pleased to announce this divestiture plan, which we believe should clear the way for our business combination with LIN Media to move forward in the regulatory approval process,” said George Mahoney, CEO of Media General.
Hearst Corp. and Sinclair Broadcast also released statements affirming the purchases, but representatives could not be reached for comment.
Savannah is the 92nd largest media market in the U.S., according to Nielsen Co.
The combined media corporation will own 74 stations in 46 markets with a reach of 26.5 million people, about 23 percent of U.S. households. If approved, it will become the second biggest owner of TV stations behind Sinclair Broadcasting, which has 167 stations.
Hearst owns 29 television stations, which reach a combined 18 percent of U.S. viewers.