WWMB-TV21, a CW affiliate under a local marketing agreement with WPDE NewsChannel 15, has been acquired by syndicated talk show host, and Marion County native, Armstrong Williams.
The agreement is the result of a larger broadcast deal involving the sale of WPDE NewsChannel 15, part of Barrington Broadcasting Group, to Sinclair Broadcast Group.
You can read the full release below:
HOWARD STIRK HOLDINGS, LLC, OWNED BY VETERAN MEDIA PRODUCER AND OPINION MAKER ARMSTRONG WILLIAMS, ANNOUNCES IT HAS COMPLETED NEGOTIATIONS TO ACQUIRE TV STATIONS IN FLINT, MI AND MYRTLE BEACH, SC IN LARGER BROADCAST PURCHASE BY THE SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP OF BARRINGTON BROADCAST GROUP
Washington, DC (Feb. 28, 2013) - Howard Stirk Holdings, LLC, owned by veteran media producer and opinion maker Armstrong Williams, announced today that it has completed negotiations to acquire television stations in Flint, MI and Myrtle Beach, SC. The acquisition is part of the larger purchase of the Barrington Broadcast Group, LLC holdings by the Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc.
For more than twenty years Armstrong Williams has been producing and hosting high-quality public affairs and entertainment programming for the broadcast industry, including for Sinclair. Mr. Williams has also served as the Chief Operating Officer of the Renaissance TV Cable Network (2001-2003), where he managed staff, programming, advertising and the development of prime-time specials. He has been a frequent guest on national programs and networks that include The Today Show, Good Morning America, Charlie Rose, CNN, MSNBC, Sky News, DC TV and the Joy Behar show. Mr. Williams has also produced many prime-time specials with national and international leaders, such as US Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, Poet Maya Angelou, former Vice-President Dick Cheney, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
"Today's announcement fulfills a life-long dream to own and operate broadcast facilities and give back to an industry that I love," said Mr. Williams. "I have been privileged to work with the Sinclair Broadcast Group for years and I am truly thankful for the opportunity it has provided. Many in the industry talk about diversity and expanding opportunity, but here the Sinclair Broadcast Group is putting words into action," Mr. Williams added. The name "Howard Stirk" is taken from my mother's maiden name, Howard, and my father's middle-name, Stirk, Mr. Williams explained. "Knowing the humble, hard-scrabble beginnings of my family in rural South Carolina, I felt honoring my parents in this small way was the right thing to do," he concluded.
A native of Marion, South Carolina, Mr. Williams received his baccalaureate degree in Political Science and English from South Carolina State University and is a lifetime member of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity. He served on the President's Commission on White House Fellows appointed by President Bush from 2001-2005, and presently serves on the Independence Federal S&L Bank, the Carson Scholarship Fund, and the NEWSMAX Advisory Board.
Sinclair currently owns and operates programs or provides sales services to 87 television stations in 47 markets. Sinclair's television group reaches approximately 27.1% of US television households and includes FOX, ABC, MyTV, CW, CBS, NBC and Azteca affiliates. The transaction is subject to approval by the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC") and antitrust authorities. Following those approvals, Howard Stirk Holdings, LLC anticipates a closing by the summer.
