Gannett Willing to Share with Networks

MediaPost

Gannett’s broadcasting chief said the company doesn’t mind paying networks for rights to carry their programming. The money creates a partnership where a high tide lifts all boats — and, he said, the public benefits.

Speaking at a UBS investor event Wednesday, Dave Lougee, who heads the Gannett unit with 23 stations, said sharing some of its retransmission consent fees with networks will allow continued funding of top-tier programming.

“It’s in our joint interest for the broadcast networks to grow and develop that revenue stream,” he said. More…