Interesting time for the local media, curious to see what impact this might have on Ragin’ Cajuns coverage.
FCC gives green light for single company to own both KATC, KADN
News anchors Marcelle Fontenot and Jim Hummel deliver the news during the Live at Five broadcast Thursday, September 11, 2025, at the KADN-TV studio in Lafayette, La. STAFF PHOTO BY LESLIE WESTBROOK
The Federal Communications Commission has finally given the OK for two Lafayette TV stations to be acquired by the same media company.
On Friday the FCC approved the deal to allow Gray Media to acquire KADN and KLAF, days after approving a swap involving E.W. Scripps that gives Gray ownership of KATC, reports indicate.
The approvals come nearly a year after they were first announced and gives Gray Media a duopoly in Lafayette. It marked a difference from 10 years ago when Nexstar’s attempt at a duopoly in Lafayette failed to win FCC approval in its big to acquire KLFY.
The deal involving KADN was part of a $171 million transaction between Gray and Byron Allen Media that was announced back in August. The KATC-Gray deal was announced in July.
Gray now reaches 117 full-power markets and covers 37% of the country’s television households, reports indicate. Gray now has one station in every TV market in Louisiana.
In Lafayette, changes are anticipated now that KADN/KLAF and KATC are owned by the same company.
It’s been 75 years since the first television station in the Lafayette area took to the airwaves.
Both stations have historically trailed KLFY, but if the two stations combine news staffs, it could give the two stations enough combined firepower to overtake KLFY.