Block Communications to buy 4 TV stations

12/4/2008

LIMA, Ohio Block Communications Inc. said it has reached an agreement this week to buy a rival station and three low-powered television stations in Lima for $2.3 million.

The deal includes WOHL, Lima s Fox network affiliate, as well as low-powered stations WLMO-LP, WLQP-LP, and WFND-LP. The sale is tentatively scheduled to close next month, pending approval of the Federal Communications Commission.

The current owners of the four stations, Greg and Kathleen Phipps, are to receive $100,000 in exchange for signing a noncompete agreement.

Block Communications already owns WLIO, an NBC affiliate, in Lima. The company also owns The Blade and Buckeye CableSystem.