Citing the difficulty of operating a TV standalone in the modern communications marketplace, Duhamel Broadcasting Enterprises has accepted an offer from Schurz Communications to acquire its Rapid City SD ABC affiliated KOTA-TV and three satellites.
For Duhamel, the deal represents the company’s exit from the television business. However, it will continue to own a number of radio stations serving the Black Hills area of South Dakota.
Schurz already owns a six-station radio cluster and a newspaper serving the Rapid City area.
Terms for the KOTA deal were not revealed. The transaction is expected to close early in 2014 pending FCC approval.
The satellites are scattered in three different states. They include KDUH-TV, Scottsbluff, NE; KHSD-TV, Lead-Deadwood, SD; and KSGW-TV, Sheridan, WY.
Schurz is a multimedia company. It operates television stations in several DMAs, including its headquarters market of South Bend IN, as well as Anchorage AK, Springfield MO, Wichita KS, Roanoke-Lynchburg VA and Augusta GA.
Todd Schurz, President/CEO of Schurz Communication said, “Our acquisition strategy is to seek out top-performing stations in vibrant communities which excel in local news and public service. There is no question that KOTA fits that criteria with its deep roots in the Black Hills back to Rapid City’s founding. As a family owned company ourselves, we look forward to the opportunity to further extend our relationships in KOTA Territory”.
