US: Groups combine to oppose Sinclair-Tribune

A diverse group of associations, including the American Cable Association (ACA), as well as media consolidation opponents and conservative news outlets, are getting together to formally oppose the merger of Sinclair and Tribune, which would result in the nation’s largest broadcast TV group.

The group includes a big critic of conservative media and a conservative media outlet, united in their strong opposition to the deal.

Joining ACA president Matt Polka on a conference call to announce their Federal Communications Commission (FCC) filings in opposition to the deal were former FCC chairman and Common Cause special adviser Michael Copps, One America News Network president Charles Herring, Computer & Communications Industry Association president Ed Black and Competitive Carriers Association Senior Vice President Tim Donovan.

Their issues include the group’s potential power in retrans negotiations and in setting a local news agenda, as well as Sinclair’s role in the rollout of the ATSC 3.0 next-gen broadcast transmission standard, which also has potential retrans negotiations implications. The group said there are effectively no conditions that would make the deal palatable.

Full Content: Variety

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