SALT LAKE CITY — KSTU-FOX 13 is now a part of Tribune Company and the largest combined independent broadcast group in the United States.
“We are thrilled to join Tribune – the largest independent owner of broadcast properties and a company who believes in localism and values award-winning journalism,” said KSTU General Manager Tim Ermish.
On Friday morning, Tribune Company completed the final steps necessary to close its acquisition of Local TV Holdings, LLC – the former owner of FOX 13 and 18 other television stations across the country.
“This is a historic day for Tribune and Local TV,” said Peter Liguori, Tribune’s President and Chief Executive Officer in a press release issued Friday. “Combining these two great media companies will deliver tremendous benefits for our viewers, advertisers, and most important, the communities we serve. This is a transformational acquisition for Tribune, providing us with significant scale to drive our business objectives and create substantial shareholder value.”
As a result of the acquisition, Tribune now owns 39 television stations across the country.
The combined broadcast portfolios include 14 FOX affiliates, 14 CW affiliates, 5 CBS affiliates, 3 ABC affiliates and 2 NBC affiliates. The company is now the #1 FOX affiliate group and the #1 CW affiliate group in the United States.
