Come next month, The Country Network (TCN) is adding three more markets with affiliations by Young Broadcasting stations, with a fourth Young station to come onboard in early 2011. The four are the first affiliates from a group other than Sinclair Broadcast Group, which now airs TCN in 22 markets.
TCN will begin airing in December on Young’s KRON-TV San Francisco on digital channel 4.2; WRIC-TV Richmond, VA 8.2; and WATE-TV Knoxville, TN 6.2. During the first quarter of 2011 TCN will begin airing on Young’s WLNS-TV Lansing, MI 6.2.
Pursuant to Young Broadcasting LLC’s retransmission agreements, TCN expects to have these channels carried by the majority of the cable systems in Richmond, Knoxville, and Lansing within 60 days of the beginning of transmission. TCN and KRON say they are working together to secure carriage in San Francisco.
Six more Sinclair stations are expected to also add TCN. The network says that will bring TCN’s coverage to 20% of US television households.
“We are delighted to add Young Broadcasting to our lineup of affiliates, and look forward to adding the millions of country fans in these four markets to our growing legion of viewers,” said Warren Hansen, founder and CEO of TCN.
“We have been reviewing numerous networks for our digital sub channels, and with the popularity of country music we believe that TCN presents not only the most attractive programming for our viewers, but the best revenue opportunity for us as well,” said Deb McDermott, President of Young Broadcasting LLC.
CobbCorp, Cobb, LeClair & Graves Partners (CLG), and Clocktower Partners are advising TCN.
