BHC Communications
Defunct American broadcasting holding company that operated television stations and helped establish the United Paramount Network.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
BHC Communications was an American broadcasting holding company created by Chris-Craft Industries to own and manage the parent company’s television assets. The initials BHC referred to “broadcasting holding company.” Established in 1977 as BHC, Incorporated, it initially held two Chris-Craft independent stations: KCOP-TV in Los Angeles and KPTV in Portland, Oregon. The company later became closely associated with United Television, another Chris-Craft-related broadcasting business whose stations expanded BHC’s presence across major U.S. markets. The group’s structure changed substantially during the 1980s. In 1981, Chris-Craft exchanged its interest in 20th Century Fox for a 19 percent interest in United Television. BHC increased its ownership of United to a controlling position in 1983, bringing additional stations into the broader BHC and United portfolio. These assets included independent stations and network affiliates in Minneapolis, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, San Francisco, and Phoenix. The organization also developed national advertising capabilities through United Sales Enterprises, which represented spot advertising inventory for BHC and United stations. BHC participated in several attempts to develop television programming beyond traditional local station operations. It worked with MCA Television on the short-lived Hollywood Premiere Network during the 1990–1991 season and joined other station groups and Warner Bros. Domestic Television in the Prime Time Entertainment Network consortium. The most consequential initiative was the United Paramount Network, or UPN, launched in January 1995. BHC affiliated most of its stations with UPN and initially owned and financed the network in partnership with Paramount and its corporate parent, Viacom. The arrangement gave BHC an important role in the expansion of a second-generation American broadcast network, while also creating substantial financial exposure. During the late 1990s, BHC and United Television expanded their station holdings with acquisitions in Baltimore and Orlando. The portfolio ultimately reached ten stations. However, Viacom’s announced plan to merge with CBS created a regulatory and strategic conflict because U.S. broadcast rules restricted common ownership of competing television networks. BHC argued that the proposed transaction threatened the UPN partnership and sued Viacom in 2000. After losing the litigation, BHC sold its remaining UPN interest to Viacom for $5 million. The UPN dispute contributed to Chris-Craft’s decision to leave the broadcasting business. The parent group reported losses of approximately $500 million associated with UPN, and uncertainty about the network’s future made continued station ownership unattractive. BHC’s stations were ultimately sold to News Corporation’s Fox Television Stations rather than to Viacom. The transaction closed on July 31, 2001, after which BHC ceased operating as an independent broadcasting company. Its legacy is primarily connected with the consolidation of American television station ownership, the development of national syndication ventures, and the creation and early operation of UPN.
History
BHC Communications originated in 1977 when Chris-Craft Industries incorporated BHC, Incorporated to hold two of its independent television stations: KCOP-TV in Los Angeles and KPTV in Portland, Oregon. The name was an abbreviation for “broadcasting holding company,” reflecting the entity’s purpose as a corporate vehicle for broadcast assets rather than as a consumer-facing station brand. Chris-Craft’s television interests became more extensive in the early 1980s. In 1981, its 20 percent interest in 20th Century Fox was exchanged for a 19 percent interest in United Television. United owned KMSP-TV in Minneapolis, KTVX in Salt Lake City, and KMOL-TV in San Antonio. BHC increased its stake in United to 50.1 percent of common stock in 1983. The combined group subsequently added stations in San Francisco and Phoenix, including the launch of KUTP in Phoenix in 1985. BHC’s corporate structure was also affected by Warner Communications. Warner acquired a 42.5 percent interest in BHC for convertible preferred stock. Following the Time and Warner combination, a settlement returned cash and securities to BHC and led to a reincorporation as BHC Communications, Inc. The company adopted two classes of stock, allowing Chris-Craft to retain most voting power while some shares were distributed to other Warner shareholders. This arrangement made BHC publicly traded while preserving Chris-Craft’s control. The company pursued programming and advertising initiatives in addition to owning local stations. Chris-Craft Television and MCA Television jointly presented the Hollywood Premiere Network during the 1990–1991 season. BHC also participated in Prime Time Entertainment Network, an alternative programming consortium involving other station groups and Warner Bros. Domestic Television. United Sales Enterprises was formed in 1995 to sell national spot advertising time across the BHC and United station groups. BHC’s most important strategic project was UPN. In January 1995, most of its stations became affiliates of the United Paramount Network, while the network was jointly owned and financed by BHC and Paramount/Viacom. BHC’s station portfolio provided UPN with a distribution base, and Paramount contributed programming and network resources. Paramount exercised an option in December 1996 to acquire half of UPN by assuming half of the network’s losses, reported at $160 million, while the agreement preserved Star Trek: Voyager as a UPN series rather than moving it into syndication. BHC and United Television continued expanding in the late 1990s. United acquired WRBW in Orlando and later acquired Baltimore station WHSW, changing its call letters to WUTB. These transactions brought the number of stations associated with BHC to ten. United also acquired a minority stake in Bohbot Entertainment & Media in 1998, extending the group’s interests into television content and production-related activities. Viacom’s 1999 plan to merge with CBS produced a conflict over the future of UPN. Broadcasting regulations restricted ownership of two competing networks, and the proposed combination raised questions about whether Viacom could continue its relationship with Chris-Craft. The partners’ agreement provided mechanisms for one side to exit, but either route would have imposed substantial costs. BHC filed suit in 2000, claiming that the CBS transaction breached the UPN partnership. The court challenge failed, and BHC sold its remaining UPN interest to Viacom for $5 million. Chris-Craft subsequently announced that it would exit broadcasting. The company had lost approximately $500 million on UPN, and the network’s uncertain future, including the possibility of closure or loss of station affiliations, weakened the strategic case for retaining the stations. Although Viacom was widely viewed as a possible buyer, News Corporation’s Fox Television Stations won the acquisition. The sale closed on July 31, 2001. BHC’s operations were thereby absorbed into the post-transaction television-station structure, and BHC Communications became defunct.
- 2001
Broadcasting assets are sold
[1]Fox Television Stations completes its acquisition of the BHC station portfolio on July 31.
- 2000
UPN lawsuit and ownership exit
[1]BHC loses its lawsuit against Viacom over the proposed CBS combination and sells its remaining UPN stake to Viacom.
- 1998
Baltimore and Orlando expansion
[1]United Television acquires Baltimore station WHSW, renames it WUTB, and completes the acquisition of Orlando station WRBW.
- 1996
Paramount takes half of UPN
[1]Paramount exercises its option to acquire half of UPN after assuming half of the network’s losses.
- 1995
UPN launches
[1]BHC affiliates most of its stations with the newly launched United Paramount Network.
- 1992
WWOR-TV is acquired
[1]BHC purchases New York-area independent station WWOR-TV.
- 1990
Hollywood Premiere Network begins
[1]Chris-Craft Television and MCA Television introduce a syndicated programming block that runs for the 1990–1991 season.
- 1985
KUTP launches in Phoenix
[1]United Television starts the Phoenix UHF station KUTP.
- 1983
BHC gains control of United Television
[1]BHC raises its ownership of United Television to 50.1 percent of common stock.
- 1981
United Television interest is acquired
[1]Chris-Craft exchanges its interest in 20th Century Fox for a 19 percent stake in United Television.
Products and positioning
A U.S. regional and national television-station holding company focused on independent stations, network affiliates, broadcast programming, and television advertising.
Broadcasting · 1977
Television station portfolio
BHC’s principal assets were local television stations, including independent stations and network affiliates across major U.S. markets. The portfolio included KCOP-TV, KPTV, KMSP-TV, KTVX, KMOL-TV, WWOR-TV, KUTP, WUTB, and WRBW, along with other United Television properties. These stations supplied local programming, syndicated content, advertising inventory, and distribution for UPN.
Broadcast television network · 1995
United Paramount Network
UPN was the national broadcast network created through a partnership between BHC and Paramount, later associated with Viacom. BHC contributed station distribution and financing, while Paramount supplied programming and network operations. Most BHC stations affiliated with UPN when it launched in January 1995, making the network the company’s most significant programming and strategic initiative.
Advertising services · 1995
National spot advertising sales
United Sales Enterprises was formed to handle national spot advertising time for BHC and United Television stations. The sales operation allowed advertisers to purchase inventory across the group rather than negotiating independently with each local station.
Syndicated programming · 1990
Hollywood Premiere Network
Hollywood Premiere Network was a syndicated programming block developed by Chris-Craft Television with MCA Television. It operated for the 1990–1991 season as part of the group’s effort to secure programming outside the established broadcast networks.
Syndicated programming consortium
Prime Time Entertainment Network
Prime Time Entertainment Network was an alternative programming consortium involving BHC-related station interests, other station groups, and Warner Bros. Domestic Television. It was conceived as a possible fifth-network-style service distributed through participating stations.
Controversies
Brand decisions
2001
Sell the television station portfolioM&ABackground
Chris-Craft concluded that continuing to own broadcast stations was unattractive after the UPN losses and uncertainty over the network’s future.
Action taken
The station assets were sold to News Corporation’s Fox Television Stations.
Aftermath
The transaction closed on July 31, 2001, and BHC Communications ceased operating as an independent company.
- News Corporation/Fox Television Stations — Fox Television Stations won the acquisition after competing interest from Viacom.
2000
Exit UPN ownershipStrategyBackground
BHC argued that Viacom’s proposed CBS merger threatened the existing UPN partnership and filed suit.
Action taken
After losing the lawsuit, BHC sold its remaining UPN interest to Viacom for $5 million.
Aftermath
Chris-Craft decided to leave broadcasting, and BHC’s television stations were subsequently sold to Fox Television Stations.
Sale price for remaining UPN interest. $5 million (2000)
- Viacom — Viacom acquired BHC’s remaining UPN ownership after the litigation.
- News Corporation/Fox Television Stations — Fox Television Stations ultimately acquired the BHC station portfolio.
1995
Launch and distribute UPNProduct launchBackground
BHC sought to use its station group to support a new national broadcast network.
Action taken
BHC partnered with Paramount and affiliated most of its stations with the United Paramount Network.
Aftermath
UPN gained an initial station base, but the venture generated substantial losses and later became the subject of an ownership dispute.
- Paramount/Viacom — Paramount exercised its contractual option to acquire half of UPN in 1996 and later acquired BHC’s remaining interest.
1977
Create a dedicated broadcasting holding companyStrategyBackground
Chris-Craft Industries needed a corporate structure for its existing television stations.
Action taken
It incorporated BHC, Incorporated to hold KCOP-TV and KPTV.
Aftermath
BHC became the central holding structure for Chris-Craft’s expanding broadcast assets.
Recent events
- 2001
News Corporation completes acquisition of the BHC station portfolio[1]
M&A · Other
Fox Television Stations, owned by News Corporation, completed the purchase of BHC’s television stations on July 31, ending Chris-Craft’s broadcasting operations and BHC’s corporate role.
- 2000
BHC sells its remaining UPN interest to Viacom[1]
M&A · Lawsuit
After losing its legal challenge, BHC sold its remaining ownership in UPN to Viacom for $5 million.
- 1996
Paramount exercises its option to acquire half of UPN[1]
M&A
Paramount paid half of the network’s accumulated losses to obtain a 50 percent ownership position and retained Star Trek: Voyager as a UPN program.
- 1995
BHC and Paramount launch the United Paramount Network[1]
Product launch
Most BHC stations, except its Salt Lake City and San Antonio outlets, affiliated with the newly launched UPN network, which BHC helped own and finance with Paramount and Viacom.
- 1981
Chris-Craft exchanges its 20th Century Fox interest for a stake in United Television[1]
M&A
The transaction gave the Chris-Craft broadcasting group a 19 percent interest in United Television and access to additional station assets.
- 1980
BHC becomes a publicly traded communications company after a Warner settlement[1]
M&A
Warner Communications acquired a substantial interest in BHC, and a later settlement connected to the Time-Warner combination led to a restructured, publicly traded BHC with dual-class shares.
- 1977
BHC Communications is established as Chris-Craft's broadcasting holding company[1]
Other
Chris-Craft Industries incorporated BHC to hold KCOP-TV in Los Angeles and KPTV in Portland, Oregon.
Sources1 sources
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