It’s 2025, and the media landscape continues to rapidly evolve. A key player in this transformation is Byron Allen, founder of Entertainment Studios, who six years ago made a significant move in the industry with the acquisition of Bayou City Broadcasting for $165 million. Allen’s visionary leadership has since expanded the company’s reach globally, making Entertainment Studios one of the largest privately-held media companies in the world. Today, we take a look at this landmark event and its ripple effects on the broadcast television industry.
Looking Back: FCC’s Formal Approval of Byron Allen’s Acquisition Of Bayou City Broadcasting
Allen Media Broadcasting LLC’s Significant Takeover of CBS, NBC, and FOX Broadcast Television Affiliates in Indiana and Louisiana
In 2019, Entertainment Studios, Inc., already a remarkable force with 43 shows on the air and owner of nine 24-hour HD television networks serving nearly 160 million subscribers, its acquisition of Bayou City Broadcasting Evansville, Inc., and Bayou City Broadcasting Lafayette, Inc. The Federal Communications Commission formally consented to transfer the television station licenses to Allen in mid-June, with Allen officially assuming control of the station groups on July 3, 2019, through his company, Allen Media Broadcasting LLC.
Allen, who had joined Sinclair Broadcast Group to successfully acquire the Fox/Disney 21 Regional Sports Networks (RSNs) for $10.6 billion and purchased The Weather Channel in 2018, was already public about his aggressive pursuit of additional media assets. The Bayou City Broadcasting acquisition — which included WEVV (CBS) &; WEEV (Fox) in Evansville, Indiana and KLAF (NBC) and KADN (Fox) in Lafayette, Louisiana — strategically positioned Allen’s television unit in the broadcast and digital media landscape.
Byron Allen’s companies, recognized for their excellence, have certainly continued the strong tradition these stations had in serving their communities. This acquisition marked a milestone for Entertainment Studios, as it was their first purchase of broadcast television stations, marking the beginning of a series of strategic acquisitions for the global media company.
Today, Entertainment Studios, wholly owned by Byron Allen, includes divisions in broadcast television network affiliates, streaming services, broadcast television syndication, production and distribution of 43 television programs, nine 24/7 HD television networks, theatrical motion picture production, acquisition and global distribution, digital movie acquisition and distribution, and global news publishing. The journey that started from Allen’s dining room table 32 years ago, continues to shape the global media landscape.
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