Gray's heyday: Eye inks affiliate deals.(Gray Television and CBS Inc. signs deal)(Brief Article)

Daily Variety, December, 2004 by Learmonth, Michael

CBS and Gray Television have signed long-term affiliation agreements covering 16 Gray-owned CBS affiliates, including WCAV Charlottesville, Va.; KKTV Colorado Springs, Colo.; and WRDW Augusta, Ga. Move marks the largest number of affils to renew their affiliations at one time, said Peter Schruth, CBS president of affiliate relations.

Best perf since 1980 Renewal comes on the heels of November sweeps and the Eye's best performance since 1980. Atlanta-based Gray is the largest owner of CBS-affiliated stations outside of CBS parent Viacom. Gray also owns seven NBC affiliated stations, seven ABC affiliated stations, three UPN stations and five daily newspapers.