The right-leaning broadcast company One America News Network joined Newsmax and public interest and liberal groups in opposing Sinclair Broadcasting Group’s proposed US$3.9 billion purchase of Tribune Media, a merger that would expand Sinclair’s reach from more than 30% of US households to 72%.
Rupert Murdoch’s 21st Century Fox is also reportedly threatening to pull Fox affiliate stations if the merger goes through, hitting Sinclair’s stock price last week, and the American Cable Association and DISH Network have asked the FCC to require more information from Sinclair about how the merger would affect the public. Monday was the deadline for asking the Federal Communications Commission to block the deal.
Sinclair, which HBO topical comedian John Oliver recently called probably “the most influential media company that you’ve never heard of,” has a notable conservative bent in the commentary and other “must run” segments it sends to its 170 local stations in 81 markets. If the merger is given the green light, Sinclair would add 42 more stations in 33 markets, giving it stations in seven of the 10 biggest US markets.
Full Content: Media Matters
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