Publisher & Media Owner · vs · Publisher & Media Owner
Gray Media vs Hearst Television
Structured technology and market comparison · 2026
Direct Feature Comparison
Gray Media · vs · Hearst TelevisionUS local broadcaster and cross-channel advertising media owner.
Private US broadcaster selling local and cross-platform media inventory.
Analyze all overlapping signals and tech stacks for Gray Media and Hearst Television
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Comparison Analysis
What is the main difference between Gray Media and Hearst Television?
When comparing Gray Media and Hearst Television, both platforms operate within the Broadcast Platform, Connected TV (CTV) & OTT, and Media Sales & Inventory Monetisation ecosystem. Gray Media is positioned as US local broadcaster and cross-channel advertising media owner, whereas Hearst Television focuses on Private US broadcaster selling local and cross-platform media inventory. Decision-makers evaluate both solutions when orchestrating their commercial monetization and technology stack.
What are the top alternatives to Gray Media and Hearst Television?
When evaluating Gray Media and Hearst Television, enterprise buyers also consider other platforms in Broadcast Platform, Connected TV (CTV) & OTT, and Media Sales & Inventory Monetisation. You can discover the full competitive landscape and evaluate other alternatives by viewing their respective footprint profiles on Polaris7.
Market Signals
Recent Market Signals & Activity: Gray Media vs Hearst Television
Documented market movements, strategic partnerships, product releases, and regulatory developments mapped across Polaris7.
Gray Media
Recent Signals
- ·SEC APIfinancials
8-K Financial Filing Analysis for Gray Media (2026-08-21)
On August 21, 2026, Gray Media, Inc. closed an offering of $750 million aggregate principal amount of 7.500% senior secured first lien notes due September 15, 2034. The notes were issued at par pursuant to an indenture with U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association acting as trustee and collateral agent. The transaction successfully extends the company's debt maturity profile and lowers interest expense on existing obligations. Gray Media is using the net proceeds from the offering to redeem $675 million outstanding principal amount of its high-coupon 10.500% senior secured first lien notes due 2029, repay $21 million of borrowings under its revolving credit facility, and cover transaction fees, expenses, call premiums, and accrued interest.
- Issued $750,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 7.500% senior secured first lien notes due September 15, 2034 at par.
- Proceeds will redeem $675,000,000 of 10.500% senior secured first lien notes due 2029, reducing annual coupon costs by 300 bps on that principal.
- Allocated $21,000,000 of proceeds to pay down revolving credit facility debt alongside covering related redemption premiums and fees.
- ·SEC APIfinancials
8-K Financial Filing Analysis for Gray Media (2026-09-28)
On September 28, 2026, Gray Media, Inc. furnished a Form 8-K under Item 2.02 reporting an upward revision to its financial guidance for the third quarter ending September 30, 2026. The update highlights an increase in expected political advertising revenue and raises the lower bound of its total net revenue guidance range for the quarter. The adjustment reflects stronger-than-anticipated political advertising spending across its broadcast footprint as the election cycle progresses, reinforcing short-term top-line momentum and cash flow generation.
- Gray Media raised its Q3 2026 political advertising guidance on September 28, 2026.
- The company lifted the low end of its total revenue guidance range for the third quarter ending September 30, 2026.
- The disclosure was furnished via Exhibit 99.1 under Item 2.02 and signed by EVP & CFO Jeffrey R. Gignac.
- ·Cord Cutters NewsCTV & Streaming
Cavaliers to Air 15 Free Games on Local TV
The Cleveland Cavaliers announced that 15 regular-season games for the 2026-27 season will be available free over-the-air, simulcast on Gray Media stations and streamed on DAZN. This move extends the NBA's broader trend of moving local games to broadcast television following the decline of regional sports networks. Fans in the Cleveland market can watch on WOIO, WUAB, and Rock Entertainment Sports Network, with other markets also carrying the games. The free games will have pregame and postgame coverage. The team's full local streaming package is available via DAZN subscriptions, with plans ranging from $19.99 monthly to $139.99 for a season pass. The Cavaliers join other teams like the Hornets, Magic, and Suns in offering free over-the-air viewing options.
- Cleveland Cavaliers will air 15 regular-season games free over-the-air on Gray Media stations.
- Games will also be streamed free on the DAZN app, requiring a free DAZN account.
- DAZN is the Cavaliers' streaming home, with season passes from $119.99 to $139.99.
Hearst Television
Recent Signals
- ·Cord Cutters NewsTV carriage dispute
Dish May Lose Hearst Local Channels Tonight
Dish and Hearst Television Inc. face a retransmission consent renewal deadline on August 19 at 7:00 p.m. ET; if they fail to reach an agreement, Dish customers could lose Hearst-owned local affiliates carrying ABC, NBC, CBS and The CW in multiple U.S. markets. The article lists many affected local stations and markets and notes a similar 2023 dispute produced a two-month blackout. The piece also references that Dish filed for bankruptcy on June 30, 2026, while stating the company says it is operating as usual during the process.
- Dish faces a retransmission consent renewal deadline with Hearst Television Inc. on August 19 at 7:00 p.m. ET.
- If no deal is reached, Dish customers could lose Hearst-owned local channels including ABC, NBC, CBS, and The CW in multiple U.S. markets.
- A 2023 renegotiation between Dish and Hearst previously resulted in a two-month blackout.
Compare their exact ecosystem overlaps.
Explore all deep relationships in Polaris7. Discover exactly which mutual clients, integrated technologies, and overlapping partners Gray Media and Hearst Television share across the market ecosystem.