Atlanta-based Cox Media Group said Dec. 3 it welcomes aboard the employees of Jacksonville TV stations WAWS TV-30 and WTEV TV-47 in Jacksonville and two stations in Tulsa, Okla.
The purchase was announced in the summer as part of Cox Media's portfolio realignment to focus on larger markets. "These new stations will play a key role in collaborating with CMG's other businesses in those markets," said CMG President Doug Franklin
Cox said WAWS TV-30 is one of the top-rated FOX affiliates in the United States. In the Jacksonville-Brunswick area, WAWS broadcasts on Channel 30, on most Comcast cable systems on Channels 10 and 434, and on Direct TV and Dish TV on Channel 30.
WAWS TV-30 also operates WTEV TV-47, owned by Bayshore Television LLC, through a shared services arrangement. WTEV TV-47, the CBS affiliate, is Jacksonville's most-watched television station. Viewers can find WTEV on broadcast Channel 47, on most Comcast cable systems on Channels 6 and 433, and on Direct TV and Dish TV on Channel 47.
WAWS TV-30 also operates the My TV Network/Me TV station in the Jacksonville market on the digital sub Channel 30.2. It is also available on Comcast Cable Channels 29 and 436. WAWS TV-30 also produces the websites actionnewsjax.com, fox30jax.com and mytvjax.com and it operates mobile news app Action News and mobile weather app Action News First Alert Weather for Apple and Android devices.
"The Action News Team is thrilled to be joining the CMG family with their proven 100-plus year record of producing journalism excellence and commitment to the local community," said Jim Zerwekh, vice president and general manager of WAWS TV-30 and MYTVJAX.
Cox Media properties in Jacksonville already include radio stations WAPE FM-95.1, WFYV FM-104.5; WJGL FM-96.9; WXXJ FM-102.9; and WOKV FM-106.5 and AM-690.
Cox Media announced in July it would be adding four new TV stations in the Jacksonville and Tulsa markets from Newport Television. It said that after receiving regulatory approvals, it would take ownership of three of the new stations and provide operating services to the fourth. The transaction was expected to close during the fourth quarter.