Gray Media, Inc. (Gray) operates as a multimedia company.
The company is the nation’s largest owner of top-rated local television stations and digital assets in the United States. The company’s television stations serve 113 television markets that collectively reach approximately 37% of its television households. This portfolio includes 78 markets with the top-rated television station and 99 markets with the first and/or second highest rated television station, as well as the largest Telemundo...
Gray Media, Inc. (Gray) operates as a multimedia company.
The company is the nation’s largest owner of top-rated local television stations and digital assets in the United States. The company’s television stations serve 113 television markets that collectively reach approximately 37% of its television households. This portfolio includes 78 markets with the top-rated television station and 99 markets with the first and/or second highest rated television station, as well as the largest Telemundo Affiliate group with 44 markets totaling over 1.5 million Hispanic TV Households. 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. The company’s 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.
Markets and Stations
The company is a key driver for its strong market position is the company’s focus on strong local news and information programming.
The company is a key driver for its strong market position is the company’s focus on strong local news and information programming. The company’s market position and its strong local teams have enabled the company to maintain more stable revenues compared to many of its peers.
The company is diversified across its markets and network affiliations. In 2024, the company’s largest market, by revenue, was Phoenix, Arizona, which contributed 5%. The company’s top 10 markets by revenue contributed approximately 26% of its total revenue in the years ended December 31, 2024. For the year ended December 31, 2024, the company’s CBS-affiliated channels accounted for approximately 38% of total revenue; the company’s NBC-affiliated channels accounted for approximately 27% of total revenue; the company’s FOX-affiliated channels accounted for approximately 14% of total revenue; and the company’s ABC-affiliated channels accounted for approximately 11% of total revenue. The company refers to CBS, NBC, ABC and FOX as the ‘Big Four’ networks.
In each of the company’s markets, it owns and operates at least one television station broadcasting a primary channel affiliated with one of the Big Four networks. The company also owns additional stations in some markets, some of which also broadcast primary channels affiliated with one of the Big Four networks. Nearly all the company’s stations broadcast secondary digital channels that are affiliated with various networks or are independent of any network. The terms of the company’s affiliations with broadcast networks are governed by network affiliation agreements. Each network affiliation agreement provides the affiliated station with the right to broadcast all programs transmitted by the affiliated network. The company’s network affiliation agreements with the Big Four broadcast networks expire at various dates through December 31, 2028.
Strategy
The company’s strategies are to grow by leveraging its diverse national footprint; maintain and grow the company’s market leadership position; continue to pursue strategic growth and accretive acquisition opportunities; and continue to monetize digital spectrum.
Stations
The company’s television stations serve local communities across the country. From the company’s largest market in Atlanta, Georgia (DMA 7) to its smallest in North Platte, Nebraska (DMA 209), as tabulated by Nielsen, the company informs, educates, entertains and connects each of these communities to their state, the nation and the whole world. Nearly all markets have a local studio, tower, sales, technical and administrative personnel dedicated to their community. The company’s network affiliations include the Big Four networks and many smaller networks. Nearly all stations also provide content through digital platforms including a local station website and one or more digital apps and/or Free Ad-Supported Television (‘FAST’) channels.
Seasonality and Revenue Concentrations
Broadcast stations like the company rely on advertising revenue and are therefore sensitive to cyclical changes in the economy.
Broadcast advertising revenue is generally highest in the second and fourth quarters. This seasonality results partly from increases in consumer advertising in the spring and retail advertising in the period leading up to, and including, the holiday season. Broadcast advertising revenue is also typically higher in even-numbered years due to spending by political candidates, political parties and special interest groups during the ‘on year’ of the two-year election cycle. Political advertising spending is typically heaviest during the fourth quarter. In addition, the broadcast of the Olympic Games by the company’s NBC-affiliated stations generally leads to increased viewership and revenue during those years for its NBC-affiliated stations.
The company’s broadcast advertising revenue is earned from the sale of advertisements broadcast by its stations.
Competition
The company’s stations compete for advertising revenues in their respective markets with other television stations, digital platforms including Google and YouTube, Facebook and Instagram, local cable and other MVPD systems, as well as local newspapers, radio stations, magazines, outdoor advertising, transit advertising, yellow page directories and direct mail.
Federal Regulation of the Television Broadcast Industry
Under the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (‘Communications Act’), television broadcast operations such as the company is subject to the jurisdiction of the FCC.
History
The company, a Georgia corporation, was founded in 1891. The company was incorporated in 1897. The company was formerly known as Gray Television, Inc. and changed its name to Gray Media, Inc. in January 2025.