New world communications

New World Communications was a television station group that was formed in the 1990s and was known for its significant impact on the television industry. Here's a brief overview:

History: New World Communications was formed in 1994 when a group of investors, led by Tom Murphy, acquired a number of television stations from the Capital Cities Communications company. The group initially consisted of 12 stations, including several major network affiliates in large markets such as New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago.

Significance: New World Communications was significant because it was one of the first large-scale television station groups to be formed in the post-deregulation era. The Telecommunications Act of 1996 allowed for the consolidation of media ownership, and New World Communications was one of the first groups to take advantage of this new landscape.

Impact: New World Communications had a significant impact on the television industry in several ways:

1. Consolidation: The group's formation marked the beginning of a wave of consolidation in the television industry. As more station groups were formed, the number of independent stations decreased, and the industry became more concentrated.
2. Network affiliation deals: New World Communications was known for its aggressive pursuit of network affiliation deals. The group negotiated new affiliation agreements with the major networks, including ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox, which helped to shape the future of television programming.
3. Digital transition: New World Communications was also an early adopter of digital television technology. The group invested heavily in digital infrastructure, including the construction of new digital transmission facilities and the conversion of its stations to digital broadcasting.

Sale: In 1996, New World Communications was sold to the Fox Broadcasting Company for $5.3 billion. The sale was one of the largest in the history of the television industry at the time and marked the beginning of a new era of consolidation in the industry.

Legacy: New World Communications may be remembered as a pioneering force in the consolidation of the television industry. The group's formation and subsequent sale helped to shape the modern television landscape, and its legacy can still be seen in the industry today.