JW Sells KMIZ-KQFX Columbia (Mo.) to NP&G

News-Press & Gazette gets stronger in its home state

By Michael Malone -- Broadcasting & Cable, 7/25/2012 3:55:11 PM

News-Press & Gazette has agreed to acquire KMIZ-KQFX Columbia (Mo.) from JW Broadcasting for $16 million.

News-Press & Gazette (NPG) is based in St. Joseph, Mo. Columbia-Jefferson City is DMA No. 138; Barrington and the University of Missouri own the dominant stations there.

"This was a great opportunity to expand our broadcast division in our home state of Missouri," said David Bradley, chairman and CEO of News-Press & Gazette. "We look forward to the award winning broadcast team in Columbia joining our family."

Private equity firm Alta Communications had acquired the stations, which operate under the name The Networks of Mid-Missouri, in 2003. KMIZ airs MyNetworkTV and Me-TV on its subchannels.

"Our team in Columbia has done an outstanding job bringing quality news and entertainment programming to Mid-Missouri," said Jessica Reed of Alta Communications. "We are excited that the new owners will be a great fit to continue this mission and take 'The Networks of Mid-Missouri' to the next level."

The deal is subject to regulatory approval and is expected to close in November.