WXMI Station History and Ownership Evolution
The landscape of local broadcasting is often defined by shifts in ownership and strategic network affiliations. WXMI, a prominent television station in the West Michigan market, has a history marked by its transition from a pioneering independent outlet to a key network affiliate, navigating several high-profile corporate acquisitions along the way.
The Early Years and the Shift to Fox
WXMI first signed on the air on March 18, 1982. At its inception, the station operated under the call sign WWMA, which stood for "West Michigan's Alternative." This branding reflected its status as the first locally based independent station in the market that was not associated with a religious organization. The station was founded and originally owned by the Heritage Broadcasting Company.
The station's identity evolved quickly. Approximately one year after its launch, a group of additional shareholders gained control, leading to a call sign change to WXMI on August 15, 1983. A pivotal moment occurred in 1987 when the station signed an affiliation deal to become the market's Fox affiliate. WXMI officially joined the network on April 9, 1987, coinciding with Fox's expansion into prime time programming.
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Early Ownership Transitions
Following its establishment as a Fox affiliate, the station saw a series of ownership changes. In 1989, Odyssey Television Partners, a New York-based company led by Robert Dudley, purchased the station's stock. Nine years later, the Indianapolis-based Emmis Communications acquired WXMI. In 1998, Emmis traded WXMI and its sister station, KTZZ in Seattle, to Tribune Broadcasting in exchange for WQCD, an FM station located in New York City.
The Complex Sinclair-Tribune Merger Attempt
The mid-2010s brought a period of corporate volatility. On May 8, 2017, the Sinclair Broadcast Group entered an agreement to acquire Tribune Media for $3.9 billion, while also assuming $2.7 billion in Tribune's debt. However, regulatory hurdles arose because Sinclair already owned the CBS affiliate WWMT (channel 3), preventing them from acquiring WXMI directly.
To resolve this conflict, Sinclair announced on April 24, 2018, that it would sell WXMI and eight other stations to the Standard Media Group for $441.1 million. Standard Media Group was an independent holding company formed by the private equity firm Standard General specifically to handle these ownership conflicts.
This plan never came to fruition. On August 9, 2018, Tribune terminated the deal and filed a breach of contract lawsuit. This followed a July 18 vote by the FCC to have the merger reviewed by an administrative law judge due to concerns regarding Sinclair's transparency. Consequently, the sale to Standard Media was also cancelled.
Acquisition by Nexstar and Final Sale to Scripps
The ownership of WXMI shifted again on December 3, 2018, when Nexstar Media Group announced it would acquire Tribune Media's assets for $6.4 billion in cash and debt. Similar to the previous attempt by Sinclair, Nexstar faced ownership restrictions because it already owned several stations in the region, including NBC affiliate WOOD-TV (channel 8), MyNetworkTV affiliate WXSP-CD (channel 15), and ABC affiliate WOTV (channel 41) in Battle Creek.
To comply with regulations, Nexstar arranged to sell WXMI. On March 20, 2019, the Cincinnati-based E. W. Scripps Company announced it would purchase the station as part of a larger deal involving nineteen Nexstar- and Tribune-operated stations sold to Scripps and Tegna Inc. for $1.32 billion. The sale of WXMI to the E. W. Scripps Company was finalized on September 19, 2019.
Key Facts
- Launch Date: March 18, 1982, as WWMA.
- Original Identity: First locally based independent station in the market not tied to a religious organization.
- Fox Affiliation: Joined the Fox network on April 9, 1987.
- Current Owner: The E. W. Scripps Company (acquired September 19, 2019).
- Call Sign Change: Changed from WWMA to WXMI on August 15, 1983.
| Period/Date | Owner/Parent Company | Key Event |
|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Heritage Broadcasting Company | Station sign-on as WWMA |
| 1983 | Shareholder Group | Call sign changed to WXMI |
| 1989 | Odyssey Television Partners | Stock purchase by Robert Dudley |
| 1998 | Tribune Broadcasting | Acquired via trade from Emmis Communications |
| 2019 | E. W. Scripps Company | Final acquisition from Nexstar |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was WXMI's original call sign?
The station originally signed on the air as WWMA, which stood for "West Michigan's Alternative."
When did WXMI become a Fox affiliate?
WXMI signed an affiliation deal in 1987 and officially joined the Fox network on April 9, 1987.
Why did the Sinclair Broadcast Group fail to acquire WXMI?
The deal was terminated after the FCC expressed serious concerns about Sinclair's forthrightness in its applications, leading Tribune to file a breach of contract lawsuit in August 2018.
Who currently owns WXMI?
WXMI is owned by the Cincinnati-based E. W. Scripps Company, which completed the purchase on September 19, 2019.
Why couldn't Nexstar Media Group keep WXMI after buying Tribune Media?
Nexstar was precluded from owning WXMI because it already owned other stations in the market, including WOOD-TV, WXSP-CD, and WOTV.