Fox 8 Sold To 21st Century Fox

CLEVELAND, OH — Fox 8 will be sold to 21st Century Fox as part of a massive transaction. Seven local TV stations are being sold to the company for approximately $910 million, the company announced on Wednesday.

Fox 8, also known as WJW, was thought to be a target of Sinclair Broadcasting, a controversial media conglomerate that has been acquiring local news stations throughout the country. Sinclair is attempting to acquire Tribune Media Company (who owned Fox 8).

Their merger was met with resistance from both the public and the FCC, so the two companies announced last month they would sell off a handful of their properties to try and get the merger approved by the FCC. Fox 8 was one of the stations that was put on the chopping block by Tribune.

And 21st Century Fox is picking them up, along with six more local stations. The other stations being acquired by 21st Century Fox are: KCPQ in Seattle, WSFL in Miami, KDVR in Denver, KTXL in Sacramento, KSWB in San Diego, and KSTU in Salt Lake City.

“This transaction illustrates Fox’s commitment to local broadcasting and we are pleased to add these stations to our existing portfolio," Jack Abernethy, CEO of Fox Television Stations, said. "With this acquisition, we will now compete in 19 of the top 20 markets and have a significantly larger presence in the west, which will enhance our already strong platform."

Fox 8 has frequently been the No. 1 watched local news station for Northeast Ohioans. The station has produced several well-known local personalities, including Dick Goddard, Wilma Smith and Wayne Dawson. It's unclear how the 21st Century Fox acquisition might impact the station.

The sale of the stations is expected to be completed in the second half of 2018, according to 21st Century Fox.

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