New Orleans Broadcast Stations Update

Two of our SAG-AFTRA-represented television stations in New Orleans, WWL and WVUE, will be operated by new employers.

WWL-TV is owned by the Belo Corporation, based in Dallas. Belo was purchased by the Gannett Company, based in Virginia. Gannett’s purchase of Belo for $1.5 billion was recently finalized, resulting in a massive media group that will reach an estimated one-third of the country with its programming. In order to get the deal approved by the Federal Communications Commission, Gannett had to rid itself of the Belo stations in St. Louis, also represented by SAG-AFTRA, and Phoenix to avoid violating government antitrust rules. The Department of Justice approved the deal contingent upon Gannett selling its Belo stations in those markets. Gannett’s group of television stations grew to 43 with the Belo stations — 17 additional stations in nine of the nation’s top 25 markets. A new SAG-AFTRA agreement had been reached with Belo at WWL-TV prior to the purchase.

WVUE-TV, owned by Louisiana Media Company, just entered into a shared services agreement with Raycom Media. Raycom will provide operational services for the station, which will remain under the control of Louisiana Media. Raycom, based in Montgomery, Ala., currently owns and/or operates nearly 40 television stations. SAG-AFTRA and WVUE were in the process of negotiating a new agreement at the station when the deal with Raycom became effective on Dec. 16, 2013. Contract negotiations for a new SAG-AFTRA agreement at WVUE will resume with Raycom Media in 2014.

Contract negotiations for a new SAG-AFTRA agreement at WDSU-TV will commence in early 2014. The station is owned by the Hearst Corporation.

Written by Herta Suarez, New Orleans Broadcast Director

This item was originally featured in the Winter 2014 local newsletter.