LITTLE ROCK, Ark., Dec. 28, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- KWBF and KATV jointly
announced today that KWBF will broadcast ABC News sponsored Republican and
Democratic debates on January 5, 2008, beginning at 6:00pm (CT). KWBF will push
their regularly scheduled network programming back until 10pm that night to
accommodate the debates.
KWBF (Channel 42) agreed to carry the ABC debate after KATV learned it would be
unable to due to a previously scheduled Arkansas - Baylor college basketball
game. KATV scheduled the basketball game prior to ABC scheduling the debate.
"KWBF is very excited to be able to provide the Democratic and Republican
presidential candidate debates live to central Arkansas," said Bill Maples,
General Manager of KWBF, KKYK and KLRA. "KATV was in an uncomfortable position
and we are glad we could help."
"This conflict was quite disappointing because our job is to bring our viewers
the very best in news, entertainment and sports programming," said Dale
Nicholson, President and General Manager of KATV. "Over the years, we have
learned that when we have two popular programs scheduled for the same time
period, there is no way to make everyone happy. We are pleased we have found a
way to offer viewers both the debate and the basketball game."
KWBF and KKYK (Channel 20) regularly air ABC programming that KATV, due to prior
commitments, is unable to air. Over the past few years, KWBF and KKYK have aired
ABC golf, college football and basketball games, soccer and other ABC events for
KATV.
About Equity Media Holdings Corporation
KWBF is owned and operated by Equity Media Holdings Corporation (Nasdaq:EMDA), a
growing broadcaster with multiple sources of revenue and value in its operations
that include its Broadcast Station Group, Spectrum Holdings Division and
Broadcast Services Division. Equity Media is one of the largest owners and
operators of television stations in the United States, currently owning stations
in 41 markets that cover more than 32% of the U.S. population. It is the second
largest affiliate group of the top ranked Univision and Telefutura networks, two
networks driven by the growth of the Hispanic population in the U.S. Equity
Media's proprietary Centralized Automated Satellite Hub (C.A.S.H.) system and
Retro Television Network provide centralized content distribution services,
which Equity Media believes are unique within the media industry. For more
information, please visit www.EMDAholdings.com.
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CONTACT: Equity Media Holdings Corporation
KWBF
Bill Maples
501-604-1112
KATV
Dale Nicholson
501-324-7806
