The television station I work for in Ohio was sold to another company when my company bought a competing television station in the same market. The sale took place in August 2006 with an agreement between my old company and my new company not to be able to hire from the station that they just sold. The agreement is in place for a period of 3 years until August 2009. This was never made public to the employees. I applied for a job and was hired in principle to the station now owned by my old company. The non-compete agreement was unknown to the hiring manager at the other station as well as top management at both stations. A few days later, that manager called saying she was sorry, but, she could not hire me because of the non-compete agreement between the two companies. Note that I did not sign a non-complete contract with either company. I also asked my current company to release me from this condition in the sales contract. They said no. Is it legal for company to company non-complete contracts when hiring employees? There are only 4 television stations within this local market and therefore I am very limited with my employment options.

Yes they may make that part of the sales package.

It does not restrict you from looking for work in the same area, also if for some reason you did go to work there, you would not be libel for damages the company that hired you would be.

The only thing to look into, is the fact it is TV, since they have additional FCC rules so you should contact a broadcast attoreny who would be up on the industry rules.