WPXI-TV To Be Sold? Station Owner Mulling Options

PITTSBURGH, PA - The parent company of WPXI-TV and 13 other TV stations across the country announced Tuesday that it is exploring “strategic options” for those holdings that could include partnering or merging them into a larger TV company.

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 said in a statement that the stations’ strong financial performances make them “attractive assets in today’s marketplace,”

"We didn't take this decision lightly,” Alex Taylor, Cox Enterprises CEO said. “It is clear that scale is critical for TV affiliates to be positioned well for the future. Our stations are some of the best in the industry and we want them to stay that way.”

Cox did not indicate when the future of the stations will be determined.

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.

In addition to WPXI, Cox owns 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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