WLUK in agreement to provide extensive support to WIWB

WLUK is taking a smaller local TV station under its wing, under an agreement announced today.

LIN Media, parent company of WLUK, entered into a shared services agreement with ACME Communications, parent company of Green Bay CW affiliate WIWB.  The agreement, encompassing Green Bay as well as three other stations in the Dayton and Albuquerque-Santa Fe markets, extends ACME stations an extensive array of support services by nearby LIN-owned stations.

Under the agreement, WLUK will provide WIWB "technical, engineering, promotional, administrative and other operational support services," according to the press release.  WLUK will also provide advertising sales services to WIWB under the agreement.  WIWB is one of two stations under the agreement to get ad sales support.

The agreement is expected to provide "operating synergies and expense savings" to both stations, though it is not yet known how the agreement will specifically impact operations, programming or jobs in the Green Bay area.

The agreement appears similar to limited marketing agreement in place between Journal-owned Green Bay NBC affiliate WGBA and My Network TV affiliate WACY, under which WGBA essentially runs and sells advertising for WACY.  Journal desired to buy WACY in 2004, but FCC duopoly rules prevented the purchase.  It is unknown if LIN would like to buy WIWB, would a change in FCC rules occur.