The Sinclair Tribune Deal is Still Bad

Many have come out against Sinclair's purchase of the Tribune stations and despite the fact that Sinclair made a lengthy filing with the FCC, not many have changed their mind. 

It's a bad deal that the FCC should not approve. 

B&C writes that in filing after filing, members of the Coalition to Save Local Media said Sinclair had fallen far short of the mark and the $3.9 billion dollar deal should be denied.

"Sinclair has failed to explain how this multi-billion-dollar merger could possibly be in the public interest,” said Computer & Communications Industry Association President Ed Black. “That’s supposed to be the requirement the FCC is charged with overseeing. It’s a concern that a merger that would be so harmful to rural areas, independent news stations and citizens could even be considered.”

“Sinclair and Tribune have failed to show any positive, transaction-specific public interest benefits from the proposed merger, and fail to address the significant public interest harms,” said Yosef Getachew, policy fellow at Public Knowledge.

The Competitive Carriers Association signaled in its comments that Sinclair had not assuaged their concerns about its power as force in the post-incentive auction repack—Sinclair/Tribune will have more repacking stations than any other group.

The Sports Fans Coalition, which advocates for sports fan access to games, warned that the combined company would be a threat to local sports.

The FCC comments portion of the Sinclair deal wraps up next week. 

The bottom-line...despite so many people being against this deal, the FCC is still going to approve this. 

It has nothing to do with TV or broadcasting and has everything to do with politics. Sinclair has sucked up to the right people and greased enough palms that this deal is as good as done.

Quoting Sinclair's BFF Donald Trump, "SAD!"

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