• by Wayne Friedman , October 7, 2016

In the third quarter, TV stations deals registered the lowest dollar volume since the first quarter of 2010.

SNL Kagan says TV station deal volume was $16.8 million in the third quarter, and that the lower third-quarter results are affected by FCC decision-making on TV station deals, due to the ongoing spectrum auction.

Through the first nine months of 2016, TV station dollar-deal volume was $5.3 billion -- which includes the big $4.61 billion deal that Nexstar Broadcasting made for Media General in the first quarter. A year ago, the first nine months amounted to $2.75 billion TV station deal volume through the same period. 

The biggest third-quarter deal was a refiling. Calkins Media’s WAAY-TV in Huntsville, Alabama was originally to be sold to Raycom Media Inc. together with Calkins’ other two ABC stations for $82 million. Now Alabama TV LLC has agreed to acquire WAAY-TV. 

Total broadcast TV station deals amassed $1.3 billion a year ago; $7.3 billion in 2014, and $11.4 billion in 2013. In 2010. In the midst of the big recession -- TV station deals totaled $175 million, rising the next year to $1.2 billion.

Radio stations amassed $293.1 million in deals in the third quarter and $418 million in deals through the first nine months. A large part of the third quarter results -- 82% -- came from an pending merge of Beasley Broadcast Group and Greater Media.

In all of 2015, radio stations deals totaled $827 million; $1.5 billion in 2014, and $1.0 billion in 2013.