Looks like the FCC has another target on it, but this time it is a well known
conservative who has the gun and is asking people to deliver a petition to the
FCC and Congress. The leader of this effort is Michael Regan, the adopted son
of former President Ronald Reagan. You can view the petition here:
https://www.stopthefccplan.com/
The usual suspects have focused their opposition to the raising the ownership
caps, on The Sinclair Broadcast Group, which is waiting for approval of their
acquisition of Tribune Broadcasting. They employ their typical FUD tactics to
imply that allowing Sinclair to gain what would amount to a national footprint
would end localism in TV markets. The fact that Sinclair has a conservative
agenda might be a factor too...
;-)
When I first heard the currently running radio ad by Reagan, I posted to the
list that the real winners of an ownership cap increase would be the broadcast
networks. I suggested that they would gobble up affiliates to gain control of
both their local ad revenues and retransmission consent dollars.
It did not take long for the first shoe to drop.
My guess is that Sinclair gets to create another national network via its
affiliates and Joint Marketing Agreements, and the four big broadcast networks
get total control of the top 100+ markets.
Regards
Craig
http://www.foxbusiness.com/markets/2018/01/10/rupert-murdochs-21st-century-fox-nears-deal-with-sinclair-broadcast-for-10-us-television-stations.html
Rupert Murdoch's 21st Century Fox nears deal with Sinclair Broadcast for 10 US
television stations
Leia KlingelPublished January 10, 2018
Rupert Murdoch’s 21st Century Fox (FOXA) is finalizing the purchase of about 10
U.S. television stations from Sinclair Broadcast Group (SBGI), three people
familiar with the sale told the Financial Times.
This deal would increase the number of channels operated by 21st Century Fox
and would help Sinclair secure regulatory approval for its purchase of Tribune
Media (TRCO).
If Sinclair’s purchase of Tribune goes through, it will become the largest
owner of local channels in the U.S.
Murdoch’s company is currently engaged in its own deal, and is selling its
Twentieth Century Fox Film and Television studios and its cable and
international TV businesses to Disney (DIS) for $66.1 billion.
Murdoch will keep the Fox broadcast network, sports cable network and Fox News
Channel, as well as a portfolio of local US television stations. As previously
reported by FOX Business , immediately prior to the acquisition, 21st Century
Fox will separate the Fox Broadcasting network and stations, Fox News Channel,
Fox Business Network, FS1, FS2 and Big Ten Network into a newly listed company
that will be spun off to its shareholders.
21st Century Fox is the parent company of FOX Business and Fox News.
