In February, we told you about Media General trying to stop the sale of Augusta, Ga. NBC affiliate WAGT from Schurz Communications to Gray TV.
Media General claimed the sale, which was approved by the FCC, broke its contract with Schurz allowing it to operate the station.
After Gray had the station for about a week, Media General filed suit and started operating the station again until the fight went to the Georgia Supreme Court which issued a stay, allowing Gray to have its station back.
The Augusta Chronicle reports Media General’s attempt block the sale will now cost the station group $700,000.
“Media General agreed with the government that an investigation would be time-consuming and expensive for both sides,” reports the Chronicle. “According to the consent decree released Wednesday. The decree gives Media General 30 days to pay the government $700,000.”
Four months ago, the FCC announced that it had begun an investigation of Media General, a Richmond, Virginia company that owns WJBF. The investigation concerned their alleged actions concerning the operations and sales of local NBC affiliate WAGT, which is owned by our parent company Gray Television.
Today, WJBF’s parent company signed a consent decree with the FCC. In return for ending the investigation, WJBF’s parent company will pay 700-thousand-dollars to the federal government. The company admits no fault.
WRDW General Manager John Ray described the consent decree as a victory for WAGT NBC26, local viewers, and local advertisers.