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Could Sinclair or Tribune be forced to sell in Seattle?

Saw this on Northwest Broadcasters

09/20/17 - The FCC has sent Sinclair Broadcast Group a 10-page letter requesting information about its pending $3.9 billion merger with Tribune Media, including what it is doing to comply with local and national ownership rules, giving the company until October 5 to respond. Seattle is one of ten markets where Sinclair will own two Big Four network affiliates. Harry Jessell, TVNewsCheck

http://www.tvnewscheck.com/article/107340/details-on-sinclairtribune-merger-overdue
 
LITTLEBOYBLUE said:
One candidate who might be interested in the small one-off opportunities like the scenario folks are describing here would be Alpha (Larry Wilson). Especially since he has a strong Portland presence.
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Not really. As TheBigA mentioned, Alpha Media is struggling with debt from their purchase of Digity, which is why they're now selling 3 of their clusters in the southeast to Dick Broadcasting. Besides, Alpha Media seems to have a stronger focus in smaller markets.
 
miketheradioguy said:
If you're telling me that Sinclair wants to return to radio, then how about they acquire some of Entercom's spinoffs. I bet Entercom would be happy to sell stations in their overlapping markets to Sinclair.
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Buying stations using the Reverse Morris Trust obligates the buyer to certain rules. Not sure exactly what they are, but IIRC they're not free to sell them as they would a normal acquisition.
 
miketheradioguy said:
If you're telling me that Sinclair wants to return to radio, then how about they acquire some of Entercom's spinoffs. I bet Entercom would be happy to sell stations in their overlapping markets to Sinclair.
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I don't think anyone here is a spokesperson for Sinclair. That being said; things in business, especially broadcasting, aren't black and white Mike. Just because Sinclair gained some radio properties when purchasing TV stations, doesn't mean they are abandoning all TV for radio, or interested in gaining more radio stations. They would be idiots to do that.
 
TheBigA said:
Buying stations using the Reverse Morris Trust obligates the buyer to certain rules. Not sure exactly what they are, but IIRC they're not free to sell them as they would a normal acquisition.
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In that case, Sinclair wouldn't be a likely suitor for Entercom's spinoffs since swaps are the most likely outcome for Entercom's spinoffs anyways. I'll stick to Entercom swapping the Seattle spinoffs with Bonneville for their Phoenix cluster.
 
Gotta admit, you've got an unusual hobby going there Mike: Speculating whether a particular group will sell their radio stations. Now that you've made your prognostication several times over several threads, time to give it a rest.
 
Kelly A said:
Gotta admit, you've got an unusual hobby going there Mike: Speculating whether a particular group will sell their radio stations. Now that you've made your prognostication several times over several threads, time to give it a rest.
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That’s exactly what has me bracing for impact with the CBS Radio-Entercom merger. By the time the merger closes, the speculation will be over.
 
miketheradioguy said:
That’s exactly what has me bracing for impact with the CBS Radio-Entercom merger. By the time the merger closes, the speculation will be over.
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Maybe. Perhaps all we'll really know then is what we know now, which is they have a group of stations in their trust that at some point will have to be dealt. That group of stations was announced a long time ago. Entercom can't actually do anything with those stations until after the FCC and DOJ approval. That's really when the speculation can begin, because the ball is actually in play.
 
TheBigA said:
Maybe. Perhaps all we'll really know then is what we know now, which is they have a group of stations in their trust that at some point will have to be dealt. That group of stations was announced a long time ago. Entercom can't actually do anything with those stations until after the FCC and DOJ approval. That's really when the speculation can begin, because the ball is actually in play.
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OK, so I'll just wait for an update about the CBS Radio-Entercom merger some time next month.
 
I definitely think Seattle would be one of them. 4 TV stations + 4 radio stations.... No way...
 
swhyde1980 said:
I definitely think Seattle would be one of them. 4 TV stations + 4 radio stations.... No way...
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Sinclair selling their radio stations could be another great way for either Bonneville or Hubbard to expand in Seattle in addition to Entercom’s divestitures as part of their merger with CBS Radio.
 
miketheradioguy said:
Sinclair selling their radio stations could be another great way for either Bonneville or Hubbard to expand in Seattle in addition to Entercom’s divestitures as part of their merger with CBS Radio.
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Or Sinclair could apply for a waiver. Or put the radio stations into a trust, as Entercom has.
 
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