FCC Consolidates Nexstar/Tribune With Divestiture Processing; Oppositions Due May 27
The FCC is combining processing of applications for Nexstar buying Tribune with planned divestitures (see 1903200058) to Circle City Broadcasting, Scripps and Tegna. "Because this proceeding involves multiple transactions in multiple markets, and requires coordinated timing to effectuate divestitures of…
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certain stations that are necessary for approval of the overall transaction, we find that consolidated processing of the Divestiture Applications, and their incorporation into this docket, will result in administrative efficiency and ensure a comprehensive record," said a Media Bureau public notice Friday on docket 19-30. The commission accepted the original deal applications for filing Jan. 28, and now does so for the divestitures, the PN said. Applicants contend Nexstar will have “an attributable interest in television stations reaching 38.2965% of the national audience," it noted. The national viewership cap is 39 percent. Without the divestitures, the Nexstar/Tribune deal would have exceeded it by 8.1 percent. Petitions to deny are due May 27, oppositions to those petitions June 11, and replies June 18, per the PN. "Petitioners and commenters should raise all issues in their initial filings. Replies may only address matters raised in oppositions. A party or interested person seeking to raise a new issue after the pleading cycle has closed must show good cause why it was not possible for it to have raised the issue previously." The divestitures are worth more than $1 billion and the overall deal some several billion. Nexstar didn't comment Friday evening.