Are multiple networks per station the future?

Last year WPLG in Miami dropped its long-time ABC affiliation and became a full independent, causing shockwaves through the industry.  WPLG was tired of paying what it considered outrageous affiliation fees to ABC. With Berkshire Hathaway’s deep pockets and a growing top 20 market, WPLG could afford to take the significant risk of going it alone.

Since that change, WPLG President and CEO Bert Medina has led significant local news expansion and hired enough employees to do it right. In a recent interview, Medina didn’t talk about ratings or revenue but did indicate the station’s plan was on track.

Though WPLG got the nationwide attention, something else happened on that day that might have much broader implications for the television industry. WSVN became both a Fox affiliate and an ABC affiliate. WSVN brands both networks and both carry WSVN’s local newscasts.

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