Core Points - The Atlanta Braves and Gray Media have expanded their spring training broadcast, offering 15 games to fans across 26 markets in the Southeast [1][2][5] - The partnership aims to enhance fan engagement by providing live spring training action and a new 10-episode series titled "Celebrating '21" featuring commentary from former Braves manager Brian Snitker [2][5] - The Braves' President & CEO, Derek Schiller, emphasized the commitment to making Braves baseball accessible and highlighted the positive response from last year's partnership with Gray Media [5] Company Overview - The Atlanta Braves, established in 1966, are the longest continuously operating franchise in Major League Baseball, with a history of two World Series titles and multiple division championships [6] - Gray Media, headquartered in Atlanta, is the largest owner of local television stations in the U.S., reaching approximately 37% of U.S. television households [8]

Core Insights - The article discusses the expertise and experience of a professional in the TMT (Technology, Media, and Telecommunications) sector, highlighting over 20 years of experience in Europe and beyond [1] Group 1: Professional Background - The individual has a decade of investing experience, maintaining close contact with relevant companies and themes in the TMT sector [1] - The professional's educational background is in Corporate Finance, which supports their analytical capabilities in the industry [1] - Companies associated with the individual include notable names such as KPN, Liberty Global, and Vodafone, indicating a strong network and industry knowledge [1]

Core Viewpoint - The St. Louis Cardinals and Gray Media are launching "Home Plate," a comprehensive package providing fans with free access to live games and programming, enhancing the connection between fans and the team [1][2][8]. Group 1: Home Plate Programming Details - The Home Plate package will include full broadcasts of Cardinals live games, starting with Spring Training on February 23, 2026 [1]. - The package features ten regular-season games broadcasted on Friday nights, available on Gray Media-owned and syndicated television stations across 14 Midwestern markets [2][4]. - Additional programming includes at least twelve Memphis Redbirds (AAA affiliate) games and ten Springfield Cardinals (AA affiliate) games, along with next-day replays of most Cardinals games [4][7]. Group 2: Market Reach and Accessibility - The programming will be accessible in St. Louis, Cape Girardeau, and parts of Missouri, Illinois, Tennessee, Arkansas, Iowa, Indiana, and Kentucky [4][5]. - The partnership aims to provide unprecedented access to the entire Cardinals organization, from minor leagues to major league games, enhancing fan engagement [2][8]. Group 3: Organizational Background - Gray Media, the parent company of Matrix Midwest, operates the largest number of top-rated local television stations in the U.S., reaching approximately 37% of U.S. television households [11]. - The St. Louis Cardinals are a historic franchise with a rich legacy, having won 11 World Series Championships and numerous division titles since their inception in 1892 [14].

Core Viewpoint - Gray Media (GTN) is facing significant challenges with projected earnings and revenue declines, yet it holds a strong buy rating according to the Zacks Rank system, indicating potential investment opportunities despite current performance issues [2][3][5]. Financial Performance - Gray Media's stock closed at $4.80, down 1.23% from the previous session, while the S&P 500 lost 0.01% on the same day [1]. - The company is expected to report earnings per share (EPS) of -$0.28 on February 26, 2026, which represents a 117.61% decrease from the same quarter last year [2]. - Full-year EPS estimates are projected at -$1.45, reflecting a year-over-year change of -143.15%, with revenue expected to be $3.08 billion, down 15.45% from the previous year [3]. Analyst Estimates and Market Sentiment - Recent revisions in analyst estimates indicate a positive outlook for Gray Media, with the Zacks Consensus EPS estimate increasing by 17.89% in the past month [5]. - The Zacks Rank system, which rates stocks from 1 (Strong Buy) to 5 (Strong Sell), currently ranks Gray Media as 1, suggesting strong potential for future performance [5]. Valuation Metrics - Gray Media is trading at a Forward P/E ratio of 1.68, significantly lower than the industry average Forward P/E of 11.4, indicating a potential undervaluation [6]. - The Broadcast Radio and Television industry, which includes Gray Media, has a Zacks Industry Rank of 59, placing it in the top 25% of over 250 industries [6].

Core Insights - Gray Media has entered into a multi-year affiliation agreement with Telemundo Network, enhancing their partnership and expanding their reach in the Spanish-language television market [1][2] Group 1: New Affiliates and Market Reach - The new agreement includes local affiliates in Dayton, Ohio (WZCD-LD), Chattanooga, Tennessee (WTVL-CD, WDNN-CD), and Lafayette, Louisiana (KNGC-LD) [2] - Gray's expanded Telemundo portfolio now reaches over 1.6 million Hispanic TV households across the United States [2] Group 2: Commitment to Hispanic Audiences - The expanded relationship with Telemundo reflects Gray's commitment to serving the growing Hispanic viewer segment in America [3] - Gray Media's Telemundo stations provide over 1,100 hours of local Spanish-language news and investigative programs each month, making it a significant player in local Spanish-language news [3] Group 3: Company Overview - Gray Media, Inc. is the largest owner of top-rated full-power local television stations in the U.S., serving 113 television markets and reaching approximately 37 percent of U.S. television households [4] - The company operates the largest Telemundo Affiliate group with 47 markets and offers digital marketing strategies through Gray Digital Media [4]

Core Points - Gray Media has expanded its partnership with the Kansas City Royals for the 2026 baseball season, allowing free broadcasts of select games in 18 markets across 8 states [1][2] - The historic home opener on March 30, 2026, against the Minnesota Twins will be the first free over-the-air broadcast of the Royals' home opener since 2007 [2] - KCTV5 will air ten regular season games throughout the 2026 season, showcasing the Royals' community outreach and charitable initiatives [3][4] Company Overview - Gray Media, Inc. is the largest owner of local television stations in the U.S., reaching approximately 37% of U.S. television households across 113 markets [5] - The company operates 78 markets with top-rated television stations and has the largest Telemundo Affiliate group with 44 markets [5] - Gray Media also includes digital marketing services through Gray Digital Media and owns various media properties, including video production companies and studio facilities [5]

Core Viewpoint - Gray Media (GTN) has been upgraded to a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy), indicating a positive outlook on its earnings estimates, which is a significant factor influencing stock prices [1][3]. Earnings Estimates and Stock Performance - The Zacks rating system is based on changes in earnings estimates, which are closely correlated with stock price movements [4][6]. - For Gray Media, the recent upgrade reflects an improvement in the company's underlying business, likely leading to increased stock prices due to investor confidence [5][10]. Earnings Estimate Revisions - Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for Gray Media has increased by 17.9% for the fiscal year ending December 2025, with expected earnings of -$1.45 per share, unchanged from the previous year [8]. Zacks Rank System - The Zacks Rank system classifies stocks into five groups based on earnings estimates, with Zacks Rank 1 stocks historically generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988 [7]. - The upgrade of Gray Media to Zacks Rank 1 places it in the top 5% of Zacks-covered stocks, indicating strong potential for market-beating returns in the near term [10].

Core Viewpoint - Gray Media's stock has experienced a significant decline, with a notable drop in earnings expected in the upcoming financial results release Group 1: Stock Performance - Gray Media (GTN) closed at $4.21, reflecting a -3% change from the previous day, which is less than the S&P 500's daily loss of 0.01% [1] - The stock has fallen by 10.88% over the past month, underperforming the Consumer Discretionary sector's loss of 4.26% and the S&P 500's gain of 0.78% [1] Group 2: Earnings Expectations - Gray Media is set to announce its earnings on February 26, 2026, with an expected EPS of -$0.05, indicating a 103.14% decline compared to the same quarter last year [2] - For the full year, analysts predict an EPS of -$1.11 and revenue of $0 million, representing changes of -133.04% and 0% from the previous year [3] Group 3: Analyst Estimates and Valuation - Recent changes to analyst estimates for Gray Media are crucial for investors, as positive revisions can indicate a favorable business outlook [3] - The Zacks Rank system, which evaluates estimate changes, currently ranks Gray Media at 3 (Hold), with the consensus EPS estimate remaining stagnant over the past month [5] - Gray Media's Forward P/E ratio is 1.76, significantly lower than the industry average of 11.79, indicating a valuation discount [6] Group 4: Industry Context - The Broadcast Radio and Television industry, part of the Consumer Discretionary sector, holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 71, placing it in the top 29% of over 250 industries [6] - The Zacks Industry Rank measures the strength of industry groups based on the average Zacks Rank of individual stocks, with top-rated industries outperforming lower-rated ones by a factor of 2 to 1 [7]

Company Performance - Gray Media (GTN) closed at $4.34, reflecting a decrease of -2.03% from the previous day, underperforming the S&P 500 which gained 0.16% [1] - Over the last month, Gray Media's shares have decreased by 16.89%, contrasting with the Consumer Discretionary sector's gain of 2.14% and the S&P 500's gain of 1.89% [1] Earnings Expectations - The upcoming earnings report for Gray Media is anticipated to show an EPS of -$0.05, representing a decline of 103.14% from the same quarter last year [2] - For the entire fiscal year, the Zacks Consensus Estimates project earnings of -$1.4 per share and revenue of $0 million, indicating changes of -141.67% and 0% respectively from the prior year [2] Analyst Estimates and Valuation - Recent changes to analyst estimates for Gray Media are important as they reflect the evolving business trends, with positive revisions indicating a favorable business outlook [3] - The Zacks Rank system, which evaluates these estimate changes, currently ranks Gray Media at 3 (Hold), with a Forward P/E ratio of 1.8, significantly lower than the industry average Forward P/E of 11.91 [5] Industry Context - The Broadcast Radio and Television industry, part of the Consumer Discretionary sector, holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 96, placing it in the top 40% of over 250 industries [6] - Research indicates that industries in the top 50% outperform those in the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1 [6]

Core Insights - Gray Media, Inc. will release its earnings results for the quarter ended December 31, 2025, on February 26, 2026 [1] - The company will host a conference call to discuss its operating results on the same day at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time [2] Company Overview - Gray Media, Inc. is a multimedia company based in Atlanta, Georgia, and is the largest owner of top-rated local television stations and digital assets in the U.S. [3] - The company serves 113 television markets, reaching approximately 37 percent of U.S. television households [3] - Gray Media's portfolio includes 78 markets with the top-rated television station and 99 markets with the first and/or second highest-rated television station in 2024 [3] - The company owns the largest Telemundo Affiliate group with 44 markets and operates Gray Digital Media, a full-service digital agency [3] - Additional media properties include video production companies Raycom Sports, Tupelo Media Group, and PowerNation Studios, along with studio production facilities Assembly Atlanta and Third Rail Studios [3]