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Gray Media
Gray Media is a publicly traded broadcaster operating 117 local TV markets across the US, reaching 37% of television households. Led by CEO Hilton H.
Gray Media
Gray Media traces its roots to the Albany Herald, founded in Albany, Georgia in January 1891. The company evolved over decades from newspapers into television broadcasting, shedding most of its early newspaper and TV holdings after 1993 while acquiring and building market-leading local stations. Hilton H. Howell Jr. has served as CEO throughout the modern expansion phase. The company pursues a strategy of acquiring and operating top-rated local television stations and digital assets. Its portfolio includes 117 full-power TV markets, 78 of which had the top-rated station and 101 had the first- or second-highest-rated station in 2025 Nielsen data. Gray also owns the largest Telemundo affiliate group (46 markets), Gray Digital Media, video production companies Raycom Sports, Tupelo Media Group, and PowerNation Studios, plus studio facilities Assembly Atlanta and Third Rail Studios. Geographic footprint spans the United States. Gray Media is a publicly traded company (NYSE: GTN) with institutional and retail shareholders. The professional team includes Co-CEO Pat LaPlatney and a leadership suite of approximately 10 named executives. The company has not disclosed total assets under management as an investment vehicle but reports financial results through SEC filings. As of May 15, 2026, Gray served 117 full-power television markets reaching about 37% of US television households. Gray Media's structural differentiator is its hybrid operating model: it functions as a publicly traded broadcaster with diversified local media assets, not as a traditional family office or private fund. The company's scale as the largest owner of top-rated local stations and its vast Telemundo affiliate network create a unique distribution platform for both content and advertising. Its succession and governance are shaped by public market requirements, with board oversight and quarterly earnings reporting.
General information
Firm type
Asset Manager
Year founded
1891
AUM
Undisclosed
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
Atlanta
Corporate office
Atlanta, GA, United States
Principals
Hilton H. Howell Jr.
President and CEO
Pat LaPlatney
Co-CEO and President, Broadcast
Sandy Breland
Chief Operating Officer
Kevin Latek
EVP, Chief Legal and Development Officer
Jeff Gignac
EVP and Chief Financial Officer
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who runs investment decisions at Gray Media?
Hilton H. Howell Jr. is President and CEO of Gray Media. Co-CEO Pat LaPlatney oversees broadcast operations. The executive leadership team includes COO Sandy Breland, CFO Jeff Gignac, and EVP Kevin Latek, all of whom participate in strategic decisions around acquisitions and capital allocation (per the firm's website).
How did Gray Media achieve its current scale?
Gray Media grew through a series of large acquisitions: Raycom in January 2019, Quincy Media, and Meredith Corporation's Local Media Group. These deals transformed the company from a small regional broadcaster into a national media owner with 117 full-power TV markets reaching about 37% of US households (per Gray Media's About page).
Is Gray Media structured as a family office or a public company?
Gray Media is a publicly traded corporation (NYSE: GTN), not a family office or private fund. It operates under SEC reporting requirements with quarterly earnings and a board of directors. The founding family retains some legacy involvement but the company is governed by public market standards.
Does Gray Media invest in venture or private equity?
Gray Media's capital deployment is primarily through acquisitions of local television stations and media properties. It also operates video production companies (Raycom Sports, Tupelo Media Group, PowerNation Studios) and studio facilities (Assembly Atlanta, Third Rail Studios). It does not publicly report venture or private equity fund commitments.
What investment stages does Gray Media typically target?
Gray Media has historically acquired established broadcasting companies, not early-stage startups. Its acquisitions target mature, cash-flow-generating local TV station groups. The company also builds and operates digital marketing and video production businesses organically.
Which sectors does Gray Media focus on?
Gray Media focuses exclusively on media and broadcasting: local television stations, digital marketing services, video production, and studio facilities. It has not disclosed investments outside of these areas.
Where does the underlying wealth of Gray Media come from?
Gray Media's founding wealth originated from the Albany Herald newspaper, established in 1891 in Albany, Georgia. The company later transitioned into television broadcasting and went public. Today it is a widely held public company, not a vehicle for a single family's wealth (per the firm's history page).
Profile maintained by Altss using OSINT (open-source intelligence), regulatory filings, licensed data partners, and verified direct submissions. Read the methodology. Last updated: . Continuous refresh with full update cycles at least every 30 days.
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