Who Owns the Media: Gray Media

Gray Media 🐔🐔🐔

Capitulation Rank: Capitulating
Category: Broadcasting & Entertainment 
Market Cap: $405.3 million

Gray Media is among a list of suitors interested in acquiring television stations that Cox Media Group owns — a deal that would require the blessing of the Trump FCC. In the transactional nature of Trump politics, it wouldn’t surprise anyone should Trump FCC Chairman Brendan Carr decide to attach political conditions to his approval of any such acquisition.

Existing federal rules prohibit television-station owners from owning licensed outlets that reach more than 39 percent of the U.S. population. Gray owns or operates hundreds of local stations. According to reporting from TheDesk, “its size could prove problematic under existing regulations.”

Executives at these firms see a potential path to further consolidation via the FCC chairman’s promise to re-regulate the sector to favor mergers and acquisitions. Many of these large broadcasters see getting on Carr’s good side as key to any future dealmaking. Gray CEO  Hilton Howell Jr., doesn’t need to do much more to demonstrate his loyalty to Republican causes. His history of political support is apparent in his contributions to GOP candidates and Super PACs, and his X social-media feed features frequent praise for Donald Trump and Elon Musk.

DEI Doublespeak:

There is no direct mention of DEI on the company’s website.  Under “additional Information” on its career page, Gray states that it is an equal employment opportunity employer, and complies with “applicable state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment.” 

What It Owns:

Gray Television owns licenses for 205 broadcast-TV stations in 113 markets; additional media properties include video-production companies Raycom Sports, PowerNation Studios and Tupelo Media Group as well as studio-production facilities Assembly Atlanta and Third Rail Studios.