Emmis Completes Sale of TV Stations to Journal Communications

The Journal Communications' Broadcast Group has completed its acquisition of three TV stations from Emmis Communications Corp.

Milwaukee-based Journal Communications purchased the business and assets of Fox affiliate WFTX-TV, Fox4, Fort Myers/Naples, Fla. and ABC affiliate KGUN-TV, in Tucson, Ariz. and also acquired certain assets of CBS affiliate KMTV, in Omaha, Neb. and will begin programming KMTV under a local marketing agreement. Emmis, based in Indianapolis, announced earlier this year that it would sell its television assets to concentrate on its radio properties.

The deal for the three stations is worth $235 million.

Additionally, Journal Broadcast Group announced that Steve Wexler, senior vice president of TV and radio operations, will become general manager of KMTV in Omaha. Wexler currently serves as market manager of Journal's Omaha radio stations and oversees radios and TV operations in Wichita, Tulsa, Tucson and Springfield, Mo.

Judy Kenney was appointed vice president/general manager of WFTX-TV in Fort Myers/Naples. She was most recently vice president/general manager at WSYM-TV (Fox 47), the Journal Broadcast Group station in Lansing, Mich.

Ray Depa will stay on as general manager at KGUN-TV.