Commercial broadcaster files to donate license to WyomingPBS

A Wyoming commercial broadcaster is donating a station license to Central Wyoming College, which operates WyomingPBS.

Gray Television is buying five stations from Mark III Media, based in Casper, for $15.7 million, according to a purchase agreement filed last month with the FCC. However, the deal would violate FCC rules that set the number of stations Gray can own within a Nielsen Designated Market Area.

Gray has filed with the commission to donate KGWC-TV, currently a CBS affiliate in Casper, to the college in Riverton.

WyomingPBS already has a Casper station. GM Terry Dugas said in an announcement Thursday that the new station will air the WyomingPBS Kids 24/7 channel.

The sale and donation are both pending FCC approval.

This post was updated with information about the new channel’s programming.