WPXI About To Be Sold In Blockbuster Broadcasting Deal: Report

PITTSBURGH, PA - WPXI-TV is among the 14 regional TV stations Cox Enterprises is close to selling to private equity firm Apollo Global Management LLC. The proposed $3 billion deal could be announced this week, Reuters reported.

The 14 stations in nine states are part of Cox Media Group, Cox Enterprises' integrated broadcasting, publishing and digital media company, and reach more than 31 million viewers in their markets. Cox Enterprises announced last year that it was exploring “strategic options” for the stations.

WPXI debuted as WIIC, Pittsburgh's second commercial VHF station in 1957. The station changed its call letters to WPXI in 1981. Cox has owned the station since 1964.

Apollo is attempting to becoming a significant player in U.S. broadcasting, Reuters, reported.The company also is attempting to acquire a group of local TV stations being sold by Nexstar Media Group, enabling Nexstar can complete a $6 billion acquisition of Tribune Media Corp.

That larger Nexstar deal would make it the nation's largest owner of broadcast stations.

In addition to WPXI, Apollo would acquire these stations:

• WSB-TV (ABC) Atlanta, GA

• WFTV-TV (ABC) Orlando, FL

• WRDQ-TV (independent), Orlando, FL

• WSOC-TV (ABC) Charlotte, NC

• WAXN-TV (independent), Charlotte, NC

• WHIO-TV (CBS), Dayton, OH

• KIRO-TV (CBS), Seattle, WA

• WJAX (CBS), Jacksonville, FL*

• WFOX-TV, (FOX), Jacksonville, FL

• WFXT-TV, (FOX), Boston, MA

• WHBQ-TV, (FOX), Memphis, TN

• KOKI-TV, (FOX) Tulsa, OK

• KMYT-TV, (My Network) Tulsa OK

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