Paxson Group: landmarks

Chronology

This chronology is indicative only. It covers -

• beginnings (1956)
• born again (1986)
• NBC deal (1999)

Context is provided by the broader communications and media timeline on this site.

Beginnings

1956 Lowell Paxson buys radio station WACK in Newark, New Jersey

1981 Home Shopping Channel launched on Tampa cable tv

1985 Home Shopping Channel renamed Home Shopping Club and starts nationwide 24 hr broadcasting through cable and local stations

1986 renamed Home Shopping Network and listed on the American Stock Exchange

1986 Paxson involved in establishment of 'infomercial' producer Silver King Communications

Born again

1986 Lowell Paxson 'born again' in Las Vegas

1991 sells Home Shopping Network and Silver King

1991 Paxson Broadcasting founded

1991 Paxson Communications Corporation established

1994 buys independent TV station in Miami

1994 buys American Network Group

1995 establishes Infomall TV Network ('IN TV')

1995 buys WPXB TV-60 (Merrimack, New Hampshire) for US$3m

1997 US Supreme Court upholds cable "must carry" broadcast TV legislation

1997 Paxson sells radio 46 stations and outdoor advertising operation to Clear

1998 launch of PAX TV 'seventh network'

1998 buys KPXF (Fresno, California) for US$8m

1998 sells WBPT Bridgeport to Cuchifritos Communications for US$22m

NBC deal

1999 NBC takes 32% stake in Paxson for US$415m

2002 Paxson sells KPXF (Fresno, California) to Univision for US$35m

2002 sells WPXB TV-60 (Merrimack, NH) to NBC for US$26m

2004 sells KPXJ-TV (Shreveport, Louisiana) to Minden Television for US$10m