First on my list would be CBS. KIRO is a long time affiliate. Comcast/NBC might take it and move NBC affiliation to Channel 7 after the current contract with KING 5 expires. Meredith, Gray, or Disney/ABC. Let’s hope Channel 7 doesn’t end up the CW station for Seattle-Tacoma. It’s all speculation. COX will likely hold out for the most money from the most solid buyer. COX is a private company, not beholden to stockholders. That is, was, a very good thing for KIRO 7 while it lasted.
Who Might Buy KIRO 7?
From the Internet Archive, some Lost Comments:
mikec says:
July 25, 2018 2:46 pm at
You beat me to the punch posting this, while I fiddle & fumble assembling the logo illustrations to back my speculation. The sale by Cox of KIRO-7 isn’t the only news item that could affect ownership & affiliation of Puget Sound TV. As noted in a separate blog post, the Sinclair-Tribune deal appears to be scuttled thanks to the FCC & DoJ rulings. This puts KCPQ-13’s future in question, as “Sinclair-Tribune” co. may have to sell this or KOMO-4. Meanwhile, unconfirmed reports suggest that Comcast has dropped out of bidding for 21st Century Fox which includes the Fox TV network. This puts Disney in the running to acquire Fox provided it’s approved by the FCC. If so, will this prompt Disney to start purchasing TV stations?? KIRO-TV, as Maple Valley Mike points out, IS an attractive property! Keep in mind too, that CBS still owns KSTW-11. Based on all of the above, here is my “Guess-timate” as to what MIGHT happen: (warning: fake news alert!)
KOMO-4 Fox (Owned by Sinclair, Tribune or even Disney/Fox)
KING-5 NBC
KIRO-7 ABC (owned by Disney/Fox)
KSTW-11 CBS
KCPQ-13 CW (owned by Sinclair or Tribune)
pugetsound says:
July 25, 2018 11:16 pm at
I will post this here and in the latest post from you with the logos.
My opinion:
FOX definitely wants KCPQ 13 because of the NFL contract and will remain a FOX affiliate.
CBS will sell off KSTW 11 – it will be purchased by Gray – they don’t have a west coast station at this time. I doubt that anyone that buys KSTW 11 will be able to pry ABC or NBC away from KOMO 4 and KING 5 respectively. It is more likely that KSTW 11 will remain a CW affiliate.
KIRO 7 will be purchased by CBS and they will keep the affiliation with CBS.
KING 5 will remain with Tegna and remain an NBC affiliate
KOMO 4 will continue to suffer as a Sinclair station and will keep the ABC affiliation.
mikec says:
July 26, 2018 2:42 pm at
haha we’re miles apart on this fun bit of speculation! I don’t know anything about Gray & will have to go & research this. Why would CBS sell KSTW-11 & then turn around & buy KIRO-7?? I could see CBS owning both in which case neither of the current affiliations would change. While I agree Fox wants KCPQ-13, what if that owner turns out to be Disney?? What if Disney-Fox bought KIRO-7 too & moved Fox to 7??? I know Fox wants KCPQ-13 because of the NFL, but isn’t that tied to the network & not the individual station?? Yet a little more whimsy on a hot summer day!
pugetsound says:
July 26, 2018 3:23 pm at
No, the local station has the contract with the Seahawks, and that is KCPQ. So, FOX ownership of KCPQ 13 is a lock. You may be correct, CBS owns two stations in many markets. Yes, CBS could buy KIRO 7 and there might be no network switch at either 7 or 11. Other than that, I think Gray, even in the midst of a merger with Raycom, might reach out and buy KIRO.
Disney might not even deal with Sinclair due to the recent dust up with the FCC. Disney could buy KING 5, but there is nothing to signal that either KING 5 or KOMO 4 are going on the block.
mikec says:
July 26, 2018 4:11 pm at
ok thanks for clarifying the situation with KCPQ-13, the Seahawks & NFL coverage by Fox. Disney is supposed to be kicking the tires at Fox so can’t see why they would have interest in KING-5, particularly if they end up as de facto owner of KCPQ-13
pugetsound says:
July 26, 2018 5:25 pm at
IF Disney buys FOX, Q13 could end up ABC or remain a FOX affiliate. But, what’s in a name? Will FOX remain as a network? And do we want one company to own 2 news networks?
mikec says:
July 26, 2018 8:32 pm at
The FCC & DoJ might have something to say about one company owning 2 commercial TV networks. Under your scenario, with Q13 a Disney-ABC outlet, that still leaves the need by Disney-Fox to park the Fox network on a channel = KIRO-7!!
pugetsound says:
July 26, 2018 9:51 pm at
I think it is a wait and see thing now. This will be something to watch in the last half of 2018.