Fox to own San Francisco TV station in Cox swap

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Fox is taking over San Francisco Bay Area TV station KTVU-TV in a two-station swap with Cox Media Group.

The broadcast network, part of Rupert Murdoch’s Twenty-First Century Fox Inc., said Tuesday it is acquiring the Oakland-based station along with independent station KICU-TV.

In exchange, Fox is giving Cox control of WHBQ-TV in Memphis, Tennessee, and WFXT-TV in Boston. After the deal, WHBQ-TV and WFXT-TV will remain Fox affiliates.

Fox Television Stations Inc. CEO Jack Abernethy said in a statement the deal gives Fox a “compelling growth opportunity in a top-10 market.” Fox didn’t previously own a Bay Area station.

Cox Media President Bill Hoffman said the swap gives Cox a presence in Memphis and Boston for the first time.

The swap is subject to regulatory approval.

New York-based Fox has 28 stations. Atlanta-based Cox has 14.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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