Tribune Media just signed an affiliation agreement with 21st Century FOX to keep Seattle’s KCPQ on as a FOX affiliate until July 2018.
According to the Tribune press release, “As part of the agreement, FOX has withdrawn its previously delivered termination notice and has agreed that the affiliation will no longer be subject to early termination prior to July 2018.”
The renewal comes at a price, though. Tribune revealed it’s paying FOX more for the privilege of being an affiliate. “As part of the extended affiliation agreement Tribune has agreed, as of January 1, 2015, to pay additional programming fees to FOX for the prime time and sports content provided by the network. Including this additional programming fee, Tribune expects that, for the term of the agreement, KCPQ will deliver profitability in excess of its previously disclosed 2013 annual EBITDA of $13 million.”
FOX previously sent Tribune a notice saying it would pull KCPQ’s affiliation on January 17, 2015. FOX recently bought Bellingham station KBCB, leading to speculation FOX was looking for some leverage in its negotiations with Tribune.
“KCPQ is an outstanding station driven by the high-quality local news, entertainment and sports programming offered by the station and its continued affiliation with FOX,” Larry Wert, president of Tribune Broadcasting said in a statement. “This extension serves the community of Seattle, and reinforces the vibrancy of our station group.”