WVIR, the longtime No. 1 station in Charlottesville, Va., is being sold to its competitor.
Gray Television has been operating CBS 19, formerly known as The Newsplex, for 15 years. This week the company announced it would sell the station to Virginia-based Lockwood Broadcasting and buy the WVIR affiliate from Waterman Broadcasting. Waterman Broadcasting currently owns the NBC affiliate, which is one of the highest-rated affiliates in the country, according to a statement.
“We have had the great privilege of proudly serving Charlottesville and its surrounding communities since 1986. Our focus has been serving the good people of central Virginia and taking care of our uniquely talented and dedicated work family,” said Edith B. Waterman, president of Waterman Broadcasting, in a statement.
The sale is expected to be finalized in the third quarter of 2019.