Thursday, October 19, 2017

FCC Hits Pause On Sinclair-Tribune Merger

The FCC is pausing its review of Sinclair Broadcast Group’s proposed merger with Tribune Media to allow more time for the filing of public comments.

The FCC is more than halfway through its 180-day timeline for review of the merger, which would create a broadcasting giant with 223 TV stations serving 108 markets, including 39 of the top 50, and to cover about 72% of U.S. households.

In a statement, the FCC’s Media Bureau said they are pausing the review for 15 days until Nov. 2. Last month, the FCC requested more information from Sinclair on how the transaction will be in the public interest, as well as other concerns, and the company responded earlier this month.

“The Commission has a strong interest in ensuring a full and complete record upon which to base its decision in this proceeding,” the Media Bureau said in a statement. “Pausing the clock will ensure that commenters have additional time to review and comment on this new information.”

Public interest groups lobbying against the deal had been urging the FCC to open a new period for public comments.

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