Mishawaka Company to Acquire TV Station
Subscriber Benefit
As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowAn Indiana media company is expanding its television portfolio. Mishawaka-based Schurz Communications Inc. says it has an agreement to acquire KOTA-TV in Rapid City South Dakota and its three satellite stations. The deal still needs Federal Communications Commission approval. Editor's Note: An earlier version incorrectly identified South Bend as the company's headquarters.
November 3, 2013
News Release
MISHAWAKA, Ind. – Dr. William F. Duhamel announced to employees today that Duhamel Broadcasting Enterprises has entered into a binding Asset Purchase Agreement to sell KOTA-TV and its three satellite television stations (KDUH-TV, Scottsbluff, NE; KHSD-TV, Lead-Deadwood, SD; and KSGW-TV, Sheridan, WY) to Schurz Communications, Inc of South Bend, Indiana. Schurz already has a presence in South Dakota, owning New Rushmore Radio in Rapid City (KKLS-AM, KBHB-AM, KKMK-FM, KOUT-FM, KFXS-FM, KRCS-FM) and the American News Newspaper in Aberdeen. Its other nationwide assets include 10 TV stations, 3 cable companies, 7 other radio stations and 10 additional daily and 8 weekly newspapers.
When KOTA-TV went on the air in the summer of 1955 it was Rapid City’s first television station and the second in South Dakota. It has been owned by the Duhamel family since inception. Duhamel said, “ the rapidly consolidating television industry makes it difficult for a single, stand-alone business to remain competitive and to develop the necessary capital to expend into the digital era”. Schurz approached Duhamel Broadcasting to purchase its television assets. Duhamel Broadcasting Enterprises will continue to operate Black Hills radio stations (KOTA-AM, KDDX-FM, KQRQ-FM, KZZI-FM and KZLK-FM).
Todd Schurz, President/CEO of Schurz Communication said, “Our acquisition strategy is to seek out top-performing stations in vibrant communities which excel in local news and public service. There is no question that KOTA fits that criteria with its deep roots in the Black Hills back to Rapid City’s founding. As a family owned company ourselves, we look forward to the opportunity to further extend our relationships in KOTA Territory”.
Schurz’ Senior Vice President of the Electronic Division, Marci (Christensen) Burdick, led the acquisition process. A Rapid City native and former KOTA anchor/news director, she added,” Our goal for KOTA-TV is to expand content across traditional platforms (TV and radio) and in the area of new media for the benefit of listeners, viewers and advertisers.”
The sale is subject to FCC approval which traditionally takes at least 90 days.
About Duhamel Broadcasting Enterprises:
http://www.kotatv.com/story/13923246/a-brief-history-of-duhamel-broadcasting
About Schurz Communications:
Source: Schurz Communications Inc.