The number and value of TV stations sold the first half of the ye...
The number and value of TV stations sold the first half of the year slightly increased compared with last year, according to BIA Financial Network. In the first half, 39 full power stations were sold for $323 million combined.…
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Although the figures compare favorably to the 22 sold for $242 million in 2003’s first half, TV transactions remain at a historically low level, BIA executives said. “Until the ownership rules are finally resolved, television station sales activity will continue to be weak,” said Mark Fratrik, BIA’s vp. Unaffected by any pending ownership rule change were LPTV stations, which continued to show growth. The first 6 months, 75 stations sold for $11 million total, compared with the 38 sold for $4 million a year earlier. Fratrik said growing demand for niche programmers in local markets with no full-power alternative contributed to the increase. The number of radio transactions also increased, though the asset value declined, Fratrik told us. Separately, BIA said the number of Spanish-language radio stations have increased 86% in the last 5 years. Between 1998 and 2003 the number of Spanish radio stations increased from 302 to 561. Of that number, 438 were in Arbitron-rated markets and 191 were in the 20 largest Hispanic radio markets.