What's Next for KHOU?
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As flood waters poured into KHOU, it didn't take an expert to figure out that the cleanup and getting the station back online was going to be expensive.
So what happens now?
It appears that KHOU is cleaning up and plans to stay put.
By the way, this wasn't the first time KHOU studios got flooded, as a similar flooding event took place a few years ago, but nothing compared to Harvey.
KHOU studios are located in a flood plain and is nearing 60 years old. It's unclear whether TEGNA has plans to invest in a new state-of-the-art broadcast home for the CBS affiliate. Moving to a higher elevation would be a smart move for sure. TEGNA having the option of either an existing building, large enough to accommodate TV station operations or a new from the ground up project. A New broadcast facility could be located in close proximity to major thoroughfares, affordable amenities, and future growth potential.
A few TV stations to see moving operations recently include... KFOR, Oklahoma City NBC affiliate moving to its new state-of-the-art facility late last month. KPRC, Houston NBC affiliate moved into its new home in the Spring. 2016, NBC affiliates KING and KNSD debuted new broadcast homes. 2015, KETV, Omaha ABC affiliate moved to the historic Burlington Station train depot. Later this year, if not early next year (2018), WCAU, Philadelphia NBC affiliate is expected to depart its longtime broadcast facility, to debut new Comcast tower location. KHOU getting new broadcast facility, it'd take a couple years for the planning and execution.
Besides KHOU, a couple other local stations are in aging facilities, including WRC, DC NBC affiliate has been in its Nebraska Ave facilities since 1958. No telling whether NBC could be quietly planning a new broadcast home for its DC station, and news bureaus for NBC, MSNBC, CNBC, Telemundo, and CSN in the next couple years.
With Tegna likely to sell out in the next few years, it is unlikely that they will go to the expense of building a new studio and will likely stay put. But, when a new owner comes in, it might be time to start looking at a new building and certainly a new location.
Stay tuned....
