Hearst has completed its acquisition of Fort Myers, Florida NBC affiliate WBBH from Waterman Broadcasting Corporation.
Under the transaction, Hearst assumes Waterman Broadcasting’s programming relationship with Montclair Communications, Inc., owner of ABC affiliate WZVN which also broadcasts the MeTV and Dabl networks on its digital sub-channels.
“The Waterman family has served southwest Florida with unparalleled community service and outstanding journalism,” said Jordan Wertlieb, executive vice president and COO of Hearst. “We at Hearst are steadfast in this commitment to local broadcasting as we have been throughout Florida for over 25 years.”
Longtime Waterman Broadcasting executive and WBBH vice president and station manager Darrel Lieze-Adams will continue in this role and will succeed Steve Pontius, who recently announced his retirement.
“Darrel has a passion for WBBH and has served the station and southwest Florida for 26 years as news director and station manager,” said Michael J. Hayes, president of Hearst Television Inc. “We are eager to join him to continue the outstanding work being done.”
In addition to WBBH, Hearst Television’s Florida stations include WESH and WKCF in Orlando; WPBF, the ABC affiliate serving West Palm Beach; and WMOR, an independent television station in Tampa-St. Petersburg.
Fort Myers-Naples is the 55th largest television market in the United States. The acquisition adds a 12th NBC affiliate to the Hearst station group.