The Federal Trade Commission has given the all clear for Post Newsweek to complete the purchase of WTVJ and merge it with WPLG.
According to Broadcasting and Cable as per antitrust requirements the merger had to be submitted to the Department of Justice and FTC for review with a set waiting period. Parties in the deal can request an early termination.
Today the FTC issued an early termination notice which signals they nor DOJ will seek to block Post-Newsweek from buying WTVJ.
That leaves the FCC as the last hurdle to overcome before the merger becomes reality.
As noted by B&C, the reason DOJ and FTC chose not to not block the deal are Spanish stations.
When Spanish stations are included WTVJ ranks 6th overall allowing for the merger to be approved since they are not in the top 4 stations.
When Spanish stations are taken out, WTVJ ranks either 3rd or 4th overall which FCC rules do not permit for one owner to own and operate two stations in a market that are in the top 4.
Overall it’s what I kind of predicted. They picked the ratings that most suited them and included Spanish stations to push down WTVJ’s ranking.
Someone clue me in. If, supposedly/maybe/perhaps/indeed, in America (we are in America right?) the airwaves are public and are for serving my/our interests how exactly does a Spanish station serve those of us who don’t speak Spanish!?
Just wondering.
