WABI TV5 In Bangor Sold To Company In Atlanta

Diversified Communications, the owners of Maine's oldest station, WABI TV5, announced they have sold the station for $85 million dollars to Atlanta-based Gray Television.

Gray released a press release earlier that stated:

"We are honored to be selected by Diversified as the new owners of legacy stations WABI and WCJB," said Hilton H. Howell, Jr., Gray’s Chairman and CEO. "Both stations are highly valued institutions in their respective communities with dedicated employees who share our vision and culture. We look forward to building upon these strong foundations and enviable records of success."

 

WABI in Bangor was Maine’s first television station and currently is the nation’s oldest continuously family-owned station. To better serve its community, the station has long operated a news bureau covering the state capital of Augusta, which lies outside of its DMA. This transaction will reunite WABI with our station in Presque Isle, WAGM, which Diversified previously owned, thereby facilitating further news and resource sharing between these stations.

Gray owns and/or operates 100 television stations across 54 television markets that collectively broadcast over 200 program streams including 101 channels affiliated with the CBS Network, the NBC Network, the ABC Network and the FOX Network.

It is unclear at this time what if any changes might be made to the staff or broadcast schedules.