Even Some Trump Allies Are Worried About Sinclairs Expansion

[turbinetree]

Source: National Memo

Reprinted with permission from MediaMatters.

Yesterday was the last day for critics to urge the Federal Communications Commission to stop conservative Sinclair Broadcast Group’s proposed acquisition of Tribune Media Company. President Donald Trump’s administration, which frequently tries to promote right-wing outlets as part of its war on the mainstream press, has bent over backward in order to reward Sinclair for its favorable coverage, while the merger has drawn criticism from consumer watchdogs like Allied Progress and media consolidation foes like Free Press. But they aren’t the only ones objecting: Some pro-Trump media companies have also taken sides against the merger because they worry Sinclair’s growth will impact their own bottom lines, forcing the administration to choose between its staunchest press allies.

Sinclair is already the nation’s largest local news provider, thanks to its ownership of 173 broadcast television stations in communities across the country. If its attempt to purchase Tribune’s 42 broadcast television stations is approved by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the result would be a broadcast goliath reaching more than seven in 10 U.S. television households — nearly double the audience cap mandated by Congress. The deal would have been unthinkable if Trump-appointed FCC chairman Ajit Pai hadn’t rolled back a key Obama administration regulation in April that had prevented Sinclair from further expansion.

Read more: http://www.nationalmemo.com/even-trump-allies-worried-sinclairs-expansion/

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I don't care what others may think, since 1980's thru 1999 are airwaves have turn into sh*t.

We need to get the Fairness Doctrine Reinstated. We do not need to hear or see the whining of this BS (“transaction raises competitive concerns and questions of law.”)


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_assets_owned_by_Time_Warner


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_stations_owned_or_operated_by_Sinclair_Broadcast_Group

[SusanaMontana41]

1. Whoopty f*cking do.

Worry is as far as they'll go.

[hatrack]

2. Who gives a fuck? If they were "worried" they wouldn't be "Trump allies" . . .

Oh, but it's about MONEY, of course, so that's different.

[dembotoz]

3. Question would be is Sinclair in the rights pocket or is the right in Sinclair's pocket

Who is pulling the strings?

What happens when Sinclair turns on them?

[DK504]

4. "I don't care what others may think, since 1980's thru 1999 are airwaves have turn into sh*t. "

The '80's was the time of Ronnie Raygun and his deregulation of everything. The old rules of the FCC included only one owner could own a certain amount of newspapers, radios stations and TV stations. After that number was reached they were not allowed to buy any more, simply for the reason we are seeing right now. The government knew that if one person got hold of the "airwaves" THIS is what wold happen.

We have what 6 telecommunication companies? This is as bad as the Time Warner merger, that was the start of all of it. Monopolies were supposed to be illegal, I guess they don't have to worry about that any more since the GOP helped destroy those regulation's.