The E.W. Scripps Company, based in Cincinnati, Ohio announced it has added two television stations to its business, bringing its current total to 35 stations in 26 markets.
The stations purchased are ABC affiliates KXXV/KRHD in Waco, Texas, and WTXL in Tallahassee, Florida. Both were owned by Raycom Media.
"These two stations are strategic additions to our portfolio," said Brian Lawlor, President, Local Media.
"We have been interested in expanding into Texas for some time as we believe Texas will play an important part in U.S. politics moving forward," Lawlor said of the KXXV/KRHD purchase.
Scripps owns WFTS in Tampa, WFTX in Fort Myers and WPTV in West Palm Beach, making WTXL its fourth in the state.
"The addition of Tallahassee will allow us to better cover the state's politics as we expand our reach beyond 50 percent of Florida’s television households," Lawlor said in a memo to Scripps employees.
The announcement follows Scripps’ news Aug. 15 that it has completed the sale of its 34 radio stations for $83.5 million.
Scripps' stations are affiliated with all of the Big Four television networks: ABC, NBC, CBS and FOX. The purchase of the two new stations adds 130 employees to The E.W. Scripps Company and brings it to 17 ABC affiliates.
