Barrington Announces Transaction for Jefferson City Television Station.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. -- Barrington Broadcasting Company announced today that it has agreed to purchase all of the assets of KRCG-TV, the CBS affiliate serving the Columbia-Jefferson City, Missouri television market from Mel Wheeler, Inc., of Fort Worth, Texas. The transaction is subject to FCC approval.

In making the announcement, K. James Yager, Chief Executive Officer of Barrington, said "Mel Wheeler, Inc. has done an incredible job of building on the solid journalistic foundation started in 1955 by the same family who still manages the Jefferson City News Journal. We are proud of that tradition, and the commitment KRCG has demonstrated to the people who live in the heart of Missouri." He added that "the combination of strong CBS network programming, a growing population base and solid economic growth" makes this station an ideal addition to the Barrington portfolio.

Leonard Wheeler, President of Mel Wheeler, Inc., said "KRCG has been a valued member of the Mel Wheeler, Inc. family since 1986. We are proud of our co-workers and friends at the station, and the many achievements they have accomplished. Barrington is a leader in managing medium sized television stations, and we are excited to be handing the baton to them."

Barrington Broadcasting was formed in 2003 to acquire and operate television stations in mid-sized markets across the country. Since 2004, Barrington has announced the purchase of three other networkaffiliated stations and one construction permit. The Barrington station portfolio includes an NBC in the Flint-Saginaw, Michigan market, an ABC in the Peoria-Bloomington, Illinois market and a CBS in the Quincy, Illinois and Hannibal, Missouri television market in addition to a start-up WB in the Flint-Saginaw, Michigan market.