WVUE

Pelicans.com

New Orleans Pelicans and Saints owner Gayle Benson offered the following statement on the passing of local news anchor Nancy Parker

“On behalf of my late husband Tom, to the family of WVUE-FOX 8, we offer our deepest sympathy to the tragic loss of Nancy Parker. Nancy was an outstanding, Emmy Award winning news anchor, who fostered great trust with both those who she covered and with her viewers in the New Orleans area. Not only was she a leader in local television, she was a devoted wife to her husband Glynn and their children. My thoughts and prayers go out to Nancy’s family.”

statement-from-gayle-benson-on-the-death-of-nancy-parker

Statement From Gayle Benson on the death of Nancy Parker

NEW ORLEANS – WVUE Fox 8 Owner Tom Benson has announced that Louisiana Media Company has reached agreement in principle to sell its majority ownership to current partner Raycom Media.  Since 2013 Louisiana Media Company and Raycom Media have had a shared service agreement which allowed Raycom Media to provide operational services for the station under the control of Louisiana Media.

Benson purchased WVUE Fox 8 in May of 2008 from Emmis Communications with the stated intention of making the station the top news station in New Orleans and accomplished that goal. WVUE has been honored with the highest awards in journalism under Mr. Benson’s ownership including a George Foster Peabody Award, two Dupont Awards and eight national Edward R. Murrow Awards.  In May of 2016, WVUE’s 10 pm news became the highest rated late night newscast in New Orleans while the stations morning show is increasing viewership at a higher rate than all competitors in the same time period. In February 2017, WVUE’s 4:30am-9am morning show captured more viewers than any other newscast in New Orleans. Benson purchased WVUE at a time when the station did not have other viable suitors and quickly established the station as the premier news entity in the New Orleans market through its investment in journalism and acquiring top notch talent.

“We are very proud to say that we accomplished our goals in large part through our continued investments in the station and most importantly, through the hard work of Fox 8’s employees,” said Benson. “With the ever changing media landscape, we believe it is in the best interest of the station to sell and transfer control to our media partners at Raycom. They have been a great partner over the last few years and shown the remarkable dedication and commitment to our community.  I was immediately impressed with the leadership and management of Raycom and they’ve given me assurances that they will continue to operate the station with the highest standards that viewers have come to expect. I am confident that they will succeed in their endeavors and wish them nothing but the best as they move forward.”

Benson plans to retain portion of ownership interest in the station.  “Although I am announcing this move today, I want everyone to know that we have some very big plans for future investment in New Orleans and in the near future we will be making these big announcements,” Benson said. “I have never been more confident and excited about our city and the residents of this great city and region.  As they say in the news business, ‘Stay tuned!’”

louisiana-media-company-announces-agreement-to-sell-majority-interest-of-wvue-fox-8-to-raycom-media

Louisiana Media Company Announces Agreement To Sell Majority Interest of WVUE FOX 8 To Raycom Media

none

Presented By

Chevron

<a title="Pelicans Livestreams" href="https://www.nba.com/pelicans/live" target="_blank">LIVE: Pelicans End of Season Interviews with David Griffin, Willie Green | WATCH &gt;&gt;</a>