Gray Media Inc. has announced an agreement to purchase 10 television stations from Allen Media Group for $171 million, a deal that includes WLFI-CBS in West Lafayette, along with WTHI in Terre Haute, WEVV in Evansville, and WFFT in Fort Wayne.
If approved by federal regulators, the sale is expected to close by the fourth quarter of 2025. The acquisition would give Gray Media a presence in three new Indiana markets while adding to its existing Hoosier holdings, which include WPTA in Fort Wayne, WNDU in South Bend, and WFIE in Evansville.
Allen Media Group, which has owned the stations since 2019, has faced mounting financial pressures from declining advertising revenue and rising debt. The company did not publicly state a reason for the sale, but industry analysts say the move is part of a broader strategy to restructure and stabilize operations.
The news of the sale comes months after Allen Media ignited public backlash by announcing it would eliminate local meteorologist positions at several of its stations, including WLFI. The plan called for weather segments to be produced from a centralized “weather hub” at The Weather Channel’s headquarters in Atlanta, replacing longtime local forecasters such as Chief Meteorologist Chad Evans.
The decision was met with sharp criticism from viewers, local officials, and advertisers, many of whom raised concerns about losing on-the-ground weather expertise in severe storm situations. Social media lit up with posts describing the move as “greedy” and “dangerous,” and meteorologists across the company delivered emotional on-air farewells.
Facing public pressure, Allen Media paused the rollout of the Weather Channel hub system earlier this year. However, the controversy left a lasting impression in affected communities, including Lafayette, where WLFI has been a staple for local news, weather, and sports coverage.
Gray Media says its acquisition plan includes bolstering local news operations, sports, and weather reporting in each market. Company executives have indicated that maintaining strong community connections will be a priority once the deal is finalized.
For now, WLFI viewers are watching closely to see how the transition will unfold — and whether Gray’s leadership will restore or expand local meteorology services that many see as essential to public safety.