GoldenShine_10

It seems they may be looking at a way to get another company to merge with them to stave off Sinclair? They could try to talk to Tegna and one-up the Nexstar offer as a merger of equals?

Channel 11 would be the big winner in the end...

The cap decision still has to come through Congress, not the FCC. It will be hard-pressed to get past a Democratic filibuster, and even some GOP members may be hesitant if Newsmax and OAN are against it. If Carr unilaterally does it, this ends up in court.

And then who would buy Tegna? There's no realistic buyer most likely if the deal collapses.

Best case scenario. These documents are the worst I have ever seen. And if this fails, Nexstar becomes blacklisted as well in the industry.

That said, regardless, it's quite possible WTSP could collapse in ratings if CBS pulls the affiliation, and they have that option there since they could do what they did in Atlanta. I can understand the Des Moines duopoly, since KCCI is the 100-ton gorilla in the market and crushes both WHO and WOI combined so market share wouldn't be a predicament there as long as Nexstar does not ever acquire KCCI.

Quite a few of the pieces are straight-up perjury. That is especially true with the competition statistics and not telling the truth about the SSAs, LMAs and the like. The lack of candor should be disqualifying in the end.

I think it might have!

They also should not be allowed to block someone else from coming in if they want the station.

Does the FCC have a docket set up yet?

And even if not, explain why it is okay to have only one other local news operation in the market, especially if Nexstar holds 3, 4 or even 5 full-power signals.

Nexstar also says they will continue to acquire even after Tegna. What's to stop them from getting Hearst, or Gray, or Graham, or even one or more of the networks? https://www.thewrap.com/nexstar-not-finished-with-acquisitions/

Admittedly, in Columbus and Austin, they would only have to spin off if a court overturns the top-4 decision from a previous court, or a court finds they would have too much market share, since neither of the current stations are part of duopolies in those markets.

They are obsessed with Big Tech and streaming here. But that's also a part of Nexstar ignoring it for so long - they are the worst TV company when it comes to streaming. Give some of the others credit as they have attempted to make a move in the field. Really, this is almost impossible to rectify. This is WORSE than Sinclair-Tribune. I know Gray requested waivers but most are rectifiable (they could make trades) and only a couple of markets are highly problematic (Louisville for one). But asking for over 30 waivers is unbelievable. What also hurts is that, if they are forced to put stations up on the market, there will be very few options for their acquisition. We need to all find these issues, and file an objection. Make clear of the problems. So far, some of the problems: * Ignoring their own LMA and SSA stations and treating them as "competition" when in reality they are financially tied to Nexstar and run by them in all but license. That's deception right there. * Not having backup plans in key markets. * Lying about there being other options in markets where the number of news producers would drop to 1 (or, in one case, 0). * Focusing on Big Tech when the FCC doesn't even regulate it.

Don't know, and it's not local anyway.

That should be noted!! Also, in Scranton, they mention "several" when NO ONE ELSE does. If they are deceiving, a court would need to step in. WVLT would be the only other source.

https://enterpriseefiling.fcc.gov/dataentry/api/download/attachment/25076f919a75226c019a9a0057dc0ff5 The paperwork is up. It relies on endless waivers and uncertainties, and obsesses with Big Tech. Ideally, the deal should be declared illegal, but these are a minimum that I would accept. How I would respond to the waiver markets: Dallas-Fort Worth: Accept WFAA and one of the non-top 4, but require removal of the third signal. Houston: Accept KHOU and one of the non-top 4, but require removal of the third signal. Washington DC: Accept WUSA and one of the non-top 4, but require removal of the third signal. Tampa: The market seems too large for the 2nd and 3rd place stations to combine. I'd initially order one of WTSP or WFLA for sale, and if no buyer after 90 days, then remove WTTA. Phoenix: Approve as proposed and maintain status quo with KNAZ as a satellite. Denver: Require the sale of one of the two duopolies (which would have to include either KUSA or KDVR). They would have too much power in the market. Cleveland: Require removal or sale of one station - say WBNX. Market share not an issue here as WJW and WKYC are 3rd and 4th ranked. Charlotte: Require removal or sale of one station - say WMYT (and that would be an easy one as a trade with Gray would solve that). Market share not an issue here as WCNC and WJZY are 3rd and 4th ranked. Portland: Require removal or sale of one station - say KRCW. Market share not an issue here as KOIN and KGW are 3rd and 4th ranked St. Louis: Require the sale of either KSDK or KTVI. They would have far too much market share otherwise and leave the market with only one other news operation (KMOV, the market leader). Indianapolis: Require the sale of one station. They would own the top 3 stations in the market, which should be an absolute no-no. San Diego: An interesting situation. They would have the market leader KFMB and 3rd-ranked KSWB. KUSI would warrant removal. However, the presence of Mexican stations muddies the water here. Still, KUSI should have to shut off its signal. Hartford-New Haven: Require removal or sale of two stations which can be the low ranked ones. Market share not a significant issue here as WTNH and WTIC are 2nd and 4th ranked. Grand Rapids-Kalamazoo: Conditionally approve, making WZZM and WOTV satellites of each other. Norfolk-Hampton Roads: Require the sale of either WAVY or WVEC. They would own 3 of the top 4 stations in the market, which should be an absolute no-no, and market share would be too high otherwise. New Orleans: Require removal or sale of two stations. Market share not an issue here as WWL and WGNO are 3rd and 4th ranked. Memphis: Require removal or sale of one station - say WLMT. Market share not a significant issue here as WREG and WATN are 2nd and 4th ranked. Buffalo: Require the sale of either WIVB or WGRZ. They would have far too much market share otherwise and leave the market with only one other news operation (WKBW). Little Rock: Require the sale of KTHV. They would have far too much market share otherwise and leave the market with only one other news operation (KATV). Additionally, they would control 5 stations, which would be an extreme problem. The paperwork ignores the fact that they control 2 other stations, which should be a red flag. Des Moines: Ideally, the sale of either WOI or WHO would be required, as it would leave the market with only one other news operation. However, KCCI is the 100-ton gorilla in the market. There may be a case here since combined they do not reach KCCI's levels. They would have to sell off or shut off KCWI though. Huntsville: Require removal or sale of one station - say WHDF. Market share not a significant issue here as WHNT and WZDX are 1st and 4th ranked. Fort Smith-Fayetteville: Require the sale of KFSM. Yes, there are unique circumstances through satellites, but not enough to control 4 stations even with the satellite authorization kept intact. Quad Cities: Require the sale of one station that they would own outright. Yes, KWQC is much above all of them, but they would otherwise control 4 stations and directly own 3. The paperwork ignores the fact that they control KLJB, which should be a red flag. Elsewhere, not mentioned but in Scranton, I would also order one station sold or the termination of the LMA as they would otherwise have a monopoly and fail to mention their LMA, which should be completely unacceptable. In other top-4 combination markets: Sacramento: Approve as KXTV actually ranks 5th!! Austin: Place either KXAN or KVUE up for sale for 90 days to see if a buyer comes forward. They rank 1st and 2nd and combine for too much, but if no buyer found, then approve. Columbus: Place either WCMH or WBNS up for sale for 90 days to see if a buyer comes forward, but if no buyer found, then approve. They would leave the market with only one other news outlet otherwise. Harrisburg et. al.: Approve as they rank 3rd and 4th, with WGAL well above both of them combined. There's no other stations in the way. Greensboro-Winston-Salem: Place either WFMY or WGHP up for sale for 90 days to see if a buyer comes forward, but if no buyer found, then approve. They would leave the market with only one other news outlet otherwise. Knoxville: Place either WBIR or WATE up for sale for 90 days to see if a buyer comes forward, but if no buyer found, then approve. They would leave the market with only one other news outlet otherwise. Tyler-Longview: Approve on the condition that the LMA with KFXK is either terminated or that station is shut down (which is not mentioned). KLTV is the 100-ton gorilla and far exceeds KETK and KYTX COMBINED, and the market is quite small for 3 news operations as it is, but the LMA with KFXK and lack of mention is the red flag here. Midland-Odessa: Approve as KMID actually ranks 5th!! Abilene: Approve on the condition that one station they own or control is sold (likely to a non-commercial outlet) or shut down. The market is much too small for 3 news operations, and there isn't a clear dominant station.

Meanwhile, Reuters is chiming in. Saying that this is a bully tactic. https://www.reuters.com/commentary/breakingviews/sinclairs-brash-tv-ma-script-could-use-rewrite-2025-11-17/ I see 4 scenarios: 1) Scripps gets dragged in and accepts a Sinclair deal, despite being a horrific thought. 2) Scripps goes for Chapter 11 to try to stave them off. 3) Scripps talks to another company and attempts a merger that avoids Sinclair, although the choices are limited. 4) Scripps tries to wait it out, although the pressure may be too much.

One possible scenario is that Scripps seeks Chapter 11 protection if it wants to fend off Sinclair. https://rbr.com/confirmed-sinclair-targeting-scripps-with-big-share-snare/

It sounds like this is a hostile takeover attempt that Scripps does not want. It's pure pressure by Sinclair.

That would make Nexstar and Tegna look sane by comparison...

Are the ex-Hoak stations capable of GrayOne? Or do they have system issues that preclude such?

If they want to pull from a competitor, could Shelby Latino be a worthwhile Chief Meteorologist?

That weather department has been an absolute mess since Margaret Orr retired.

That also likely was due to Disney threatening affiliations.