Gray Media Acquires Six TV Stations from American Spirit for $50M
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 6 days ago
0mins
Gray Media has reached an agreement with American Spirit to acquire its six television stations for $50M. Earlier, the parties completed the first of two closings of the transaction through which, among other things, Gray paid $40M to American Spirit and commenced a limited local management agreement for the stations. The consideration for the first of the two closings was funded with a portion of the proceeds of a private placement of $70M of aggregate principal amount of the company's 7.25% Senior Secured First Lien Notes due 2033, which was completed on June 30. Gray anticipates utilizing cash on hand to complete the second and final portion of the transaction in the fourth quarter of this year following receipt of regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions, at which time the local management agreement will end.
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Analyst Views on GTN
Wall Street analysts forecast GTN stock price to rise
4 Analyst Rating
3 Buy
1 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 4.010
Low
5.50
Averages
7.25
High
10.00
Current: 4.010
Low
5.50
Averages
7.25
High
10.00
About GTN
Gray Media, Inc. is a multimedia company. The Company owns local television stations and digital assets serving approximately 120 full-power television markets in the United States. The Company's portfolio includes 81 markets with television stations and 103 markets, as well as the Telemundo Affiliate group with 47 markets. The Company also owns Gray Digital Media, a full-service digital agency offering national and local clients digital marketing strategies with the most advanced digital products and services. Its additional media properties include video production companies Raycom Sports, Tupelo Media Group, and PowerNation Studios, and studio production facilities Assembly Atlanta and Third Rail Studios. Its brands include Gray Digital Media, Gray Sports Networks, Local News Live, Assembly, InvestigateTV, Raycom Sports, PowerNation Studios, Tupelo Honey, Gray Washington News Bureau, and Telemundo.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Gray Media Acquires Six TV Stations for $50 Million
- Acquisition Overview: Gray Media Inc. announced its agreement to acquire six television stations from American Spirit Media LLC for $50 million, thereby expanding its presence in several U.S. television markets.
- Target Stations Distribution: The stations included in this acquisition are WUPW in Toledo, Ohio; WDBD in Jackson, Mississippi; WSFX-TV in Wilmington, North Carolina; WXTX in Columbus, Georgia; KAUZ-TV in Wichita Falls, Texas; and KVHP in Lake Charles, Louisiana.
- Long-term Collaboration Foundation: Gray Media has provided back-office services to five of these stations and local news programming to four of them for over a decade, establishing a solid foundation for this acquisition.
- Business Integration Expectations: Following the acquisition, Gray Media expects to further leverage its local news, sports, and sales operations, enhancing its competitiveness and business synergies in the new markets.
See More
Gray Media Raises $70M Through Private Offering of Senior Secured Notes
- Financing Achievement: Gray Media successfully raised $70M through a private offering of 7.250% Senior Secured First Lien Notes, indicating strong market confidence in its financial stability.
- Use of Proceeds: The company allocated $40M of the proceeds to fund the first closing payment related to its previously announced transaction with American Spirit Media, LLC, ensuring the smooth execution of its strategic acquisition.
- Share Repurchase: The remaining $30M was used to repurchase 50K shares of its Series A Perpetual Preferred Stock, representing a $50M liquidation preference, aimed at enhancing shareholder value and optimizing capital structure.
- Market Performance: Gray Media's stock is trading at approximately $4.10, up about 3.27% from previous levels, reflecting investor optimism regarding the company's future growth potential.
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- Successful Private Placement: On June 30, 2026, Gray Media completed a $70 million private placement of 7.250% Senior Secured First Lien Notes, with proceeds allocated for acquisitions and stock buybacks, enhancing the company's financial flexibility.
- Acquisition Funding: Of the raised funds, $40 million is earmarked for the first closing of Gray's acquisition of American Spirit Media, LLC, indicating the company's proactive strategy to expand its market share.
- Stock Buyback Initiative: Gray utilized $30 million to repurchase 50,000 shares of Series A Perpetual Preferred Stock, which boosts per-share value and reinforces shareholder confidence, reflecting the company's optimism about future growth.
- Debt Structure Optimization: The new notes rank equally with the existing $775 million of 7.250% Senior Secured First Lien Notes issued in 2025, bringing total debt to $845 million, thereby optimizing the capital structure and reducing financing costs.
See More
Gray Media Acquires Six TV Stations from American Spirit for $50 Million
- Acquisition Overview: Gray Media has reached an agreement to acquire six television stations from American Spirit Media for $50 million, marking a significant step in Gray's strategy to expand its local market presence.
- Funding Source: In the first closing of the transaction, Gray paid $40 million, funded by a private placement of $70 million in 7.250% Senior Secured First Lien Notes, demonstrating the company's financial flexibility and strength.
- Management Agreement: Following the transaction, Gray entered into a limited local management agreement with American Spirit, expecting to leverage its news, sales, and sports strategies to enhance service quality for local communities.
- Future Outlook: Gray anticipates that the acquisition will be cash flow accretive and will not increase its Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio, supporting the company's long-term strategy to improve its balance sheet and further solidify its leadership position in the television industry.
See More
Gray Media Appoints Annie Cordell as WMBF General Manager
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- Extensive Industry Experience: Annie Cordell brings a wealth of media experience, having served as Vice President of Sales and Director of Digital at Bahakel Digital and WCCB, where she successfully navigated the shift from traditional broadcasting to multiplatform distribution, showcasing her expertise in digital media.
- Educational Background: Annie graduated from Goucher College with dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in Business and Communications, providing a solid foundation for her success in the media industry and reflecting Gray Media's commitment to high-caliber talent.
- Gray Media Overview: Gray Media is the largest owner of local television stations and digital assets in the U.S., serving 117 television markets that reach approximately 37% of U.S. television households, highlighting its significant influence and market share in the media industry.
See More
Gray Media Launches Enhanced Political Advertising Solution
- Precision in Advertising: Gray Media's launch of the Political 360 solution integrates Aristotle's political and consumer data, enabling advertisers to connect with voters more precisely, thereby enhancing campaign efficiency and effectiveness.
- Data-Driven Strategy: The solution leverages the National Voter File, covering over 235 million registered voters, and the National Consumer File, built from more than 267 million consumer records, allowing targeted outreach to party-specific voters during primaries, thus reducing wasted impressions.
- Market Advantage Integration: By combining Gray Media's strong local market presence across 117 television markets with Aristotle's continuously updated voter intelligence, advertisers can deliver the right message to the right voters at the right time, significantly improving campaign effectiveness.
- Increasing Voter Engagement: Through Political 360, Gray Media not only helps advertisers optimize their spending but also enhances voter awareness and advocacy, preparing campaigns effectively for the upcoming Election Day.
See More
Gray Media Acquires Six TV Stations for $50 Million
- Acquisition Overview: Gray Media Inc. announced its agreement to acquire six television stations from American Spirit Media LLC for $50 million, thereby expanding its presence in several U.S. television markets.
- Target Stations Distribution: The stations included in this acquisition are WUPW in Toledo, Ohio; WDBD in Jackson, Mississippi; WSFX-TV in Wilmington, North Carolina; WXTX in Columbus, Georgia; KAUZ-TV in Wichita Falls, Texas; and KVHP in Lake Charles, Louisiana.
- Long-term Collaboration Foundation: Gray Media has provided back-office services to five of these stations and local news programming to four of them for over a decade, establishing a solid foundation for this acquisition.
- Business Integration Expectations: Following the acquisition, Gray Media expects to further leverage its local news, sports, and sales operations, enhancing its competitiveness and business synergies in the new markets.
See More
Gray Media Raises $70M Through Private Offering of Senior Secured Notes
- Financing Achievement: Gray Media successfully raised $70M through a private offering of 7.250% Senior Secured First Lien Notes, indicating strong market confidence in its financial stability.
- Use of Proceeds: The company allocated $40M of the proceeds to fund the first closing payment related to its previously announced transaction with American Spirit Media, LLC, ensuring the smooth execution of its strategic acquisition.
- Share Repurchase: The remaining $30M was used to repurchase 50K shares of its Series A Perpetual Preferred Stock, representing a $50M liquidation preference, aimed at enhancing shareholder value and optimizing capital structure.
- Market Performance: Gray Media's stock is trading at approximately $4.10, up about 3.27% from previous levels, reflecting investor optimism regarding the company's future growth potential.
See More
Gray Media Closes $70 Million Private Placement of Senior Secured Notes
- Successful Private Placement: On June 30, 2026, Gray Media completed a $70 million private placement of 7.250% Senior Secured First Lien Notes, with proceeds allocated for acquisitions and stock buybacks, enhancing the company's financial flexibility.
- Acquisition Funding: Of the raised funds, $40 million is earmarked for the first closing of Gray's acquisition of American Spirit Media, LLC, indicating the company's proactive strategy to expand its market share.
- Stock Buyback Initiative: Gray utilized $30 million to repurchase 50,000 shares of Series A Perpetual Preferred Stock, which boosts per-share value and reinforces shareholder confidence, reflecting the company's optimism about future growth.
- Debt Structure Optimization: The new notes rank equally with the existing $775 million of 7.250% Senior Secured First Lien Notes issued in 2025, bringing total debt to $845 million, thereby optimizing the capital structure and reducing financing costs.
See More
Gray Media Acquires Six TV Stations from American Spirit for $50 Million
- Acquisition Overview: Gray Media has reached an agreement to acquire six television stations from American Spirit Media for $50 million, marking a significant step in Gray's strategy to expand its local market presence.
- Funding Source: In the first closing of the transaction, Gray paid $40 million, funded by a private placement of $70 million in 7.250% Senior Secured First Lien Notes, demonstrating the company's financial flexibility and strength.
- Management Agreement: Following the transaction, Gray entered into a limited local management agreement with American Spirit, expecting to leverage its news, sales, and sports strategies to enhance service quality for local communities.
- Future Outlook: Gray anticipates that the acquisition will be cash flow accretive and will not increase its Consolidated Total Net Leverage Ratio, supporting the company's long-term strategy to improve its balance sheet and further solidify its leadership position in the television industry.
See More
Gray Media Appoints Annie Cordell as WMBF General Manager
- New General Manager: Gray Media has appointed Annie Cordell as the new General Manager of WMBF, effective July 13, marking a leadership change aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and market competitiveness in the South Carolina media landscape.
- Extensive Industry Experience: Annie Cordell brings a wealth of media experience, having served as Vice President of Sales and Director of Digital at Bahakel Digital and WCCB, where she successfully navigated the shift from traditional broadcasting to multiplatform distribution, showcasing her expertise in digital media.
- Educational Background: Annie graduated from Goucher College with dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in Business and Communications, providing a solid foundation for her success in the media industry and reflecting Gray Media's commitment to high-caliber talent.
- Gray Media Overview: Gray Media is the largest owner of local television stations and digital assets in the U.S., serving 117 television markets that reach approximately 37% of U.S. television households, highlighting its significant influence and market share in the media industry.
See More
Gray Media Launches Enhanced Political Advertising Solution
- Precision in Advertising: Gray Media's launch of the Political 360 solution integrates Aristotle's political and consumer data, enabling advertisers to connect with voters more precisely, thereby enhancing campaign efficiency and effectiveness.
- Data-Driven Strategy: The solution leverages the National Voter File, covering over 235 million registered voters, and the National Consumer File, built from more than 267 million consumer records, allowing targeted outreach to party-specific voters during primaries, thus reducing wasted impressions.
- Market Advantage Integration: By combining Gray Media's strong local market presence across 117 television markets with Aristotle's continuously updated voter intelligence, advertisers can deliver the right message to the right voters at the right time, significantly improving campaign effectiveness.
- Increasing Voter Engagement: Through Political 360, Gray Media not only helps advertisers optimize their spending but also enhances voter awareness and advocacy, preparing campaigns effectively for the upcoming Election Day.
See More
