The FCC Media Bureau should refer Sinclair’s proposed...
The FCC Media Bureau should refer Sinclair’s proposed buy of New Age Media’s TV stations to the full commission, said the American Cable Association in a petition to deny filed Tuesday. ACA objects in particular to Sinclair’s acquisition of two…
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Florida stations in Tallahassee and Gainesville, where the acquirer already owns stations. In both markets, Sinclair has proposed transferring the stations to Cunningham Broadcasting, where they would be operated through sharing arrangements similar to previous Sinclair deals (CD Sept 26 p21). “ACA is concerned about the effect of the transaction on two markets where the transaction would result in Sinclair entering into agreements that allow it to coordinate the negotiation of retransmission consent agreements for two top-four rated Big Four television stations,” said the petition. The matter should be put before the full commission because it’s “flaunting” the FCC’s ownership rules, said the ACA. Alternatively, the commission should put conditions on any approval of the deal that would bar Sinclair from coordinating retrans negotiation deals with Cunningham, ACA said. Sinclair didn’t comment.