Bahakel-Fox Renewal in Myrtle Beach "Pretty Far Down the Road"

In wake of Charlotte affiliation switch, Bahakel working to ensure it remains part of Fox body

By Michael Malone -- Broadcasting & Cable, 1/30/2013 12:01:34 PM

Bahakel Communications appears to be losing its affiliation in Charlotte, but Jim Babb, Bahakel executive VP/COO, says the local broadcaster and Fox are "pretty far down the road" on a multiyear extension for WFXB Myrtle Beach, Bahakel's one other Fox affiliate.

"We fully expect to come to a good long-term extension on that contract," says Babb. "We're pretty far down the road on it."

A Fox insider agreed with Babb's assessment, though a company spokesperson declined comment.

Babb would not say when that affiliation agreement comes to a close. WFXB is the No. 3 revenue station in DMA No. 103, according to BIA/Kelsey.

Babb says he received a call from Fox at 9:08 a.m. Jan. 28 that it was taking the affiliation from Bahakel's WCCB, which has been aligned with Fox since the network launched in 1986. Later on that day came the announcement that Capitol Broadcasting agreed to sell two stations, a CW and MyNetworkTV, to Fox.

"We were disappointed," says Babb, choosing his words carefully.

While Fox has cut loose stations and groups that have balked at the network's aggressive retrans demands, Babb said that was not the case in Charlotte. "Quite the contrary," he says. "They used us as the poster child of a top affiliate. We heard nothing but praise from day one."

A News Corp. spokesperson declined comment Jan. 29 on what Fox plans to do with its new acquisitions in Charlotte.

WCCB, its call letters standing for Charlotte Cy Bahakel, the company founder, began partnering with Fox in 1986 and features the branding "Fox Charlotte."

Bahakel is considering its options, which presumably include becoming a CW or MyNet, depending on which station Fox makes a Fox O&O in Charlotte. "We are actively engaged in looking at all viable alternatives," said Babb. "We'll examine and explore all of our options."

WCCB's affiliation agreement with Fox ends at the close of June. "We'll work hard to be the best Fox affiliate we can be until then," says Babb.