Nexstar readies new CW Network affiliates in Pittsburgh, Seattle
In the Seattle market, a deal is being finalized to bring CW Network programming to KONG (Channel 16), an independent station owned by TEGNA that operates as a duopoly with NBC affiliate KING-TV (Channel 5)
Despite not being a full-time independent station, WATL has a slight edge as the Atlanta area’s next CW Network affiliate, because the deal could cover both it and KONG in Seattle.
WPCH is also being considered, because its status as an independent station means it can more-easily accommodate CW Network shows by moving around some syndicated programming. But the channel’s distribution in Canada — which dates back to its ownership by Turner, when it was called WTBS (later TBS Superstation) — proves somewhat problematic for Nexstar, in part because the network is relying on older Canadian series to fill some of its prime-time schedule and has secured live sports programming whose rights are held by other broadcasters in the country.