Sinclair Broadcast Group buys Chattanooga-based WTVC, others

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

photo WTVC - News Channel 9 in Chattanooga

Sinclair Broadcast Group Inc. on Monday completed its $385 million purchase of the broadcast assets of Freedom Communications, including WTVC-TV9, the ABC affiliate in Chattanooga.

Sinclair, the Baltimore-based media company which owns or operates 74 stations in 45 markets, had been operating Channel 9 in Chattanooga and seven other TV stations since Dec. 1, 2011, pursuant to a local marketing agreement, while it awaited approval of the sale from the Federal Communications Commission.

Freedom Communications filed for bankruptcy in September 2009 but emerged from court protection the next year after splitting up the business.