Raycom Media, Inc. was created in 1996 with the purchase of 15 television stations, two radio stations, and a sports marketing, production, events management, and distribution company. Shortly after this first acquisition, Raycom Media quickly acquired two other companies and began an unheard of growth in the media business. Raycom Media, an employee-owned company, is one of the nation's largest broadcasters and owns and/or provides services for 53 television stations in 37 markets and 18 states. Raycom Media stations cover 13.1% of U.S. television households and employ over 4,000 individuals in full and part-time positions.