West Virginia Media Holdings: A History of Regional Broadcasting
For over a decade and a half, West Virginia Media Holdings served as a cornerstone of the media landscape in the Mountain State. Founded in 2001, the private company established a comprehensive footprint by owning television stations across the four primary media markets in West Virginia, ensuring a wide reach for local news and national programming.
Key Facts
- Founded: 2001 by Bray Cary.
- Headquarters: Charleston, West Virginia.
- Core Assets: Four major television stations and a weekly newspaper.
- Acquisition: Sold to Nexstar Broadcasting Group for $130 million.
- Defunct Date: January 31, 2017.
Broadcasting Portfolio and Network Affiliations
West Virginia Media Holdings operated a diverse array of broadcast television assets. The company managed several stations affiliated with major national networks, providing residents with essential access to CBS, NBC, and Fox programming.
The company's television holdings included:
- WOWK-TV (Huntington) - CBS affiliate.
- WVNS-TV (Lewisburg) - CBS affiliate; also carried Fox and MyNetworkTV on digital subchannels.
- WTRF-TV (Wheeling) - CBS affiliate; also carried Fox and MyNetworkTV on digital subchannels.
- WBOY-TV (Clarksburg) - NBC affiliate.
In August 2008, the company expanded its reach by adding ABC programming to the digital subchannels of WTRF and WBOY. This move addressed a gap in the market where WTAE-TV in Pittsburgh had previously served as the de facto ABC affiliate for those regions.
Leadership and Print Media
The company was led by Bray Cary, who served as President and CEO and was the largest private investor. Cary brought significant industry experience to the role, having previously served as an executive with NASCAR, where he managed television contracts and college basketball syndication.
Beyond television, the group ventured into print media with the ownership of The State Journal. This weekly newspaper focused primarily on political news and commerce within the state of West Virginia.
The Transition to Nexstar Media Group
The era of West Virginia Media Holdings came to a close following a major acquisition announcement on November 17, 2015. The company agreed to sell its television stations to Nexstar Broadcasting Group for $130 million.
The transition began in December 2015 through a time brokerage agreement—a contract where one company operates a station's non-license assets on behalf of the owner. This acquisition was strategically complementary to Nexstar's existing station, WHAG-TV, which served the Eastern Panhandle region. Notably, Nexstar CEO Perry A. Sook is an alumnus of WOWK.
The sale of the television assets was officially completed on January 31, 2017. Meanwhile, the print asset, The State Journal, followed a different path and was acquired by NCWV Media in December 2016.
| Station/Publication | Location | Primary Affiliation/Focus |
|---|---|---|
| WOWK-TV | Huntington | CBS |
| WVNS-TV | Lewisburg | CBS / Fox / MyNetworkTV |
| WTRF-TV | Wheeling | CBS / Fox / MyNetworkTV |
| WBOY-TV | Clarksburg | NBC / ABC |
| The State Journal | West Virginia | Commerce and Politics |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who founded West Virginia Media Holdings?
The company was founded in 2001 by Bray Cary, who served as the President and CEO.
Which television networks were represented in their portfolio?
The company held affiliations with CBS, NBC, Fox, MyNetworkTV, and eventually ABC via digital subchannels.
How much was the company sold to Nexstar for?
Nexstar Broadcasting Group acquired the television stations for $130 million.
What happened to The State Journal newspaper?
Unlike the television stations, The State Journal was separately acquired by NCWV Media in December 2016.
When did West Virginia Media Holdings officially cease operations?
The company became defunct on January 31, 2017, upon the completion of the sale to Nexstar.