About Us

Barrington Broadcasting was founded in 2003 when members of management left their respective positions at Benedek Broadcasting with the idea of starting a company that would focus on smaller market, free over-the-air television. Management has identified, and continues to identify, stations ranked in market DMA’s 50+ that have some combination of stable economies, strong local brands, leading market position, or significant opportunity for near-term improvement.

Many of our markets are home to significant higher education, state government, or military installation presences that help to stabilize the local economy. Further, we believe that a strong local news presence and significant ties to the community are the backbone of the commitment we make to our communities and the ultimate success of a television station.

The Barrington portfolio consists of 21 television stations in fifteen geographically diverse markets. Our stations are in DMA’s ranked 68-200, reach approximately 3.4 percent of total U.S. households, and are affiliated with the NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX and CW networks.

Station Table Info

  1. Based on Nielsen Media Research data for the February, May, July, and November 2009 rating periods, Sunday to Saturday, 6 a.m. to 2 a.m.
  2. Based on Nielsen Media Research data for stations reporting over a one-half point average.
  3. Includes only U.S.-based stations.
  4. Granite Broadcasting Corporation partially programs and provides sales and other support services to WHOI pursuant to a joint sales agreement and shared services agreement.
  5. We are currently negotiating an extension of our affiliation agreement with ABC with respect to WHOI.
  6. Operates as a low power station.
  7. The assets of WWMB are owned by SagamoreHill of Carolina, LLC and it’s FCC license is held by SagamoreHill of Carolina Licenses, LLC.   We program WWMB pursuant to a local marketing agreement.
  8. The FCC license of WGTU/WGTQ is held by Tucker Broadcasting of Traverse City, Inc. who also owns the assets of the stations.  We partially program and provide sales and other support services to WGTU/WGTQ pursuant to a joint sales agreement and a shared services agreement.
  9. The FCC license of WTVH is held by Granite Broadcasting Corporation which also owns the assets of the station.  We partially program and provide sales and other support services to WTVH pursuant to a joint sales agreement and a shared services agreement.

Funding Partner

Our funding partner is the Pilot Group, a Delaware limited liability partnership formed in October 2003 to make investments in control positions primarily in media and branded consumer products and services businesses. Pilot invests in business sectors where its principals’ past management experience is more relevant and Pilot principals work closely with the management teams of all of its portfolio companies. Pilot targets investments in later-stage, privately-owned, cash flow positive businesses as well as selected turn-around situations. The partnership principals, which include four former AOL Time Warner executives Mayo Stuntz, Robert Sherman, Bob Pittman, and Marshall Cohen. Other Pilot investments include Daily Candy, OTX, Double O Radio, and Contours Express.

Management Team

Management of Barrington has an average of over 25 years in the industry, and includes principals K. James Yager, Chris Cornelius, Warren Spector, Mary Flodin, and Keith Bland.

Code of Ethics

Barrington Group has adopted a Code of Ethics for Financial Professionals that applies to its principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions.

Download Barrington’s Code of Ethics in PDF format.

Chronology

  • October 2003: Barrington Broadcasting formed to acquire stations in smaller markets
  • April 2004: Acquisition of WHOI and KHQA from Chelsey Broadcasting
  • May 2004: Acquisition of WEYI from LIN-TV
  • February 2005: Acquisition of KRCG from Mel Wheeler
  • April 2005: Acquisition of construction permit for WBSF from ACME
  • August 2005: Acquisition of KVII and KVIH from New Vision Television
  • February 2006: Acquisition of WPDE and LMA for WWMB from Diversified Communications
  • August 2006: Acquisition of 12 network-affiliated stations from Raycom Media
  • April 2008: Entered into a joint sales agreement and a shared services agreement with Tucker Broadcasting of Traverse City, Inc. with respect to stations WGTU and WGTQ.
  • March 2009: Entered into joint sales agreements and shared services agreements with respect to Granite Broadcasting Corporations station WTVH and our station WHOI.