A group of Capitol Hill Democrats in both the House and Senate made it clear this week that they want legislation adopted that would force WWOR-9 in Secaucus, N.J., owned by FOX, to turn its attention away from the Big Apple and focus instead on the Garden State.
Interestingly, little was mentioned about the “New Jersey News Network,” operating on co-channel signals covering Northern New Jersey and the five boroughs of the City of New York.
Perhaps they knew about its sale, as that’s just been consummated. Who’s the buyer?
Look no further than Chicago-based Norman Shapiro, as his Weigel Broadcasting has moved ahead with the acquisition of a former MeTV Network affiliate in the nation’s largest market, New York.
The deal, finalized October 5 and just submitted for FCC approval, sees Weigel’s TV-49 Inc. subsidiary purchasing WJLP-33, using digital channel 3, in Middletown Township, N.J., and WNWT-LD 37, also using digital channel 3, in New York City.
The seller is PMCM TV LLC, headed by COO/CFO Richard Morena.
The transaction is valued at $62.5 million, and a $3,125,000 escrow payment has been made; it is being held by BB&T successor Truist Bank.
There is no broker or finder associated with this transaction.
What does this mean for NJNN, distributed across several regional MVPDs and available on both Dish and DirecTV?
It’s not clear, although Weigel could keep the operation in place alongside its MeTV Network programming.
With the FCC’s blessing, WJLP and WNWT-LD would join WZME-43 in Bridgeport, Conn., which Weigel agreed in July 2021 to purchase for $35 million from NRJ TV, the North Texas-based entity led by Ted Bartley.
WZME offers separate programming under the MeTV+ brand operated by Weigel.
Ahead of closing, New Jersey politicians who support the “Section 331 Obligation Clarification Act” in both the U.S. House and Senate may wish to follow what transpires to NJNN closely. Today, “NJNN puts New Jerseyans first by delivering stories and information about the people, places, and things that are both relevant and pertinent to residents of The Garden State.”
With Weigel’s purchase, there’s no guarantee that will stay the case.
