On August 26, 2003, Waitt announced it would merge with Montgomery, Alabama-based Raycom Media for $25.7 million. That purchase created an ownership conflict within the market, as Raycom already owned KTVO at the time and could not legally keep both stations because the market does not have enough television stations to legally permit a duopoly. As a result, on September 6, 2003, Raycom – on behalf of Waitt Broadcasting – announced it would spin off the station to Charlotte, North Carolina-based Ottumwa Media Holdings (co-founded by Thomas B. Henson and Macon Moye) for $4 million.