FORT WAYNE — A news release Tuesday evening said the Federal Communications Commission has issued an order approving the sale of WPTA-TV to Quincy (Illinois) Newspapers Inc. and WISE-TV to SagamoreHill Broadcasting.
The transactions are expected to close on approximately Nov. 1, said the release issued by the two stations.
“While this has taken longer than expected we are thrilled to acquire WPTA” said Ralph M. Oakley, President and CEO of Quincy Newspapers. “We are community broadcasters and look forward to providing the resources to the station so they may serve the Fort Wayne market as well as possible. These stations have great staffs. It is our intention to significantly upgrade equipment and programming.”
Currently, WPTA holds ABC and CW affiliations,and provides sales and other services to WISE, which holds the NBC and MyNetwork affiliations. The release said this will remain unchanged for nine months after closing.
After nine months, the NBC and MyNetwork affiliations will be moved to WPTA, and The CW affiliation will be moved to WISE.
“A great majority of viewers access these stations via cable or satellite so, when this change is made in mid-2016, there will be no change in the channel on which they watch” said Ralph M. Oakley, President and CEO of Quincy Newspapers. During the transition period, each station will educate those who watch over the air on how they will be able to receive each channel in the future.
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