Eat News 4745 Posted May 19, 2017 Share Posted May 19, 2017 This seems relevant--especially with Sinclair piping news for Scranton and Toledo out of South Bend: (Source: http://www.tvnewscheck.com/mobile/index/article/id/104241 ) Though I bet the ripple effect will be felt across radio more than anything, that would definitely open the door for something akin to News Central on steroids for the smaller stations if budgets get tight. You can expect 1/4 to 1/3 of all Sinclair news operations to be consolidated, hubbed or discontinued. I would be amazed if they were interested in rehabbing the smaller non-profitable operations when they can be zoned and hubbed. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/15610-sinclair-tribune-close-to-merger-deal/page/36/#findComment-174619 Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoldenShine9 1513 Posted May 19, 2017 Share Posted May 19, 2017 You can expect 1/4 to 1/3 of all Sinclair news operations to be consolidated, hubbed or discontinued. I would be amazed if they were interested in rehabbing the smaller non-profitable operations when they can be zoned and hubbed. It is also more likely in the fact that most of their stations rank low in their markets. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/15610-sinclair-tribune-close-to-merger-deal/page/36/#findComment-174620 Share on other sites More sharing options...
broadcastfan9751 140 Posted May 19, 2017 Share Posted May 19, 2017 For radio, that rule has been rather pointless for years now. You look at iHeart, and to a greater extent, EMF (K-Love/Air-1) who have to have these studios they have no intent of using. Just looking at EMF specifically, they have absolutely no local broadcasting anywhere that I'm aware of. To my knowledge, they operate 100% off the satellite, with a computer doing the local station ID inserts. Even still, I imagine the rule still meant that they have to have a local office somewhere in each city, with what I imagine is the barest excuse for a "studio" they can get by with. EMF gets main studio waivers because they're a non-commercial broadcaster. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/15610-sinclair-tribune-close-to-merger-deal/page/36/#findComment-174621 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eat News 4745 Posted May 19, 2017 Share Posted May 19, 2017 EMF gets main studio waivers because they're a non-commercial broadcaster. Are there any "commercial" christian broadcasters in the USA? Anyone selling God Spots? Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/15610-sinclair-tribune-close-to-merger-deal/page/36/#findComment-174625 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty Muck 4374 Posted May 19, 2017 Share Posted May 19, 2017 Are there any "commercial" christian broadcasters in the USA? Anyone selling God Spots? Salem Communications is the biggest Christian-based commercial radio chain I know of. Their highest-profile stations are typically Christian talk/preaching, CCM and conservative talk. Plus Cumulus runs KAAY 1090 out of Little Rock, Arkansas. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/15610-sinclair-tribune-close-to-merger-deal/page/36/#findComment-174648 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty Muck 4374 Posted May 19, 2017 Share Posted May 19, 2017 You can expect 1/4 to 1/3 of all Sinclair news operations to be consolidated, hubbed or discontinued. I would be amazed if they were interested in rehabbing the smaller non-profitable operations when they can be zoned and hubbed. If Sinclair were to utilize Tribune's BRUTUS system across their entire group, look out. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/15610-sinclair-tribune-close-to-merger-deal/page/36/#findComment-174649 Share on other sites More sharing options...
MXSans2 64 Posted May 21, 2017 Share Posted May 21, 2017 According to The Seattle Times, Sinclair expects to keep KOMO and KCPQ, which might see KOMO4 or Q13 News teams being laid off http://www.seattletimes.com/business/sale-of-tribune-to-sinclair-could-put-komo-kcpq-under-same-broadcast-giant/ Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/15610-sinclair-tribune-close-to-merger-deal/page/36/#findComment-174785 Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoldenShine9 1513 Posted May 21, 2017 Share Posted May 21, 2017 According to The Seattle Times, Sinclair expects to keep KOMO and KCPQ, which might see KOMO4 or Q13 News teams being laid off http://www.seattletimes.com/business/sale-of-tribune-to-sinclair-could-put-komo-kcpq-under-same-broadcast-giant/ It's an article from the day of the merger, and makes no mention of the top-4 rule or antitrust rules. I can't see how such can survive a court case. We shall see though...I'm sure the initial paperwork will suggest such though. But that may hold up the deal. Regardless, it won't be until the paperwork comes up that we can find what rules they plan on breaking or bending. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/15610-sinclair-tribune-close-to-merger-deal/page/36/#findComment-174787 Share on other sites More sharing options...
MXSans2 64 Posted May 21, 2017 Share Posted May 21, 2017 It's an article from the day of the merger, and makes no mention of the top-4 rule or antitrust rules. I can't see how such can survive a court case. We shall see though...I'm sure the initial paperwork will suggest such though. But that may hold up the deal. Regardless, it won't be until the paperwork comes up that we can find what rules they plan on breaking or bending. So if that is the case...which do you think will be sold? and who will buy which station? I have a feeling ABC or Scripps could go for KOMO Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/15610-sinclair-tribune-close-to-merger-deal/page/36/#findComment-174818 Share on other sites More sharing options...
tyrannical bastard 3953 Posted May 21, 2017 Share Posted May 21, 2017 I think Sinclair is relying on the confidence that the government will now bend the rules in their favor to give them what they want... We shall see.... Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/15610-sinclair-tribune-close-to-merger-deal/page/36/#findComment-174822 Share on other sites More sharing options...
broadcastfan9751 140 Posted May 21, 2017 Share Posted May 21, 2017 So if that is the case...which do you think will be sold? and who will buy which station? I have a feeling ABC or Scripps could go for KOMO That won't happen. KOMO is higher rated than KCPQ and ABC hasn't bought a station in years. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/15610-sinclair-tribune-close-to-merger-deal/page/36/#findComment-174823 Share on other sites More sharing options...
nathannah 2429 Posted May 21, 2017 Share Posted May 21, 2017 Salem Communications is the biggest Christian-based commercial radio chain I know of. Their highest-profile stations are typically Christian talk/preaching, CCM and conservative talk. Plus Cumulus runs KAAY 1090 out of Little Rock, Arkansas. But at least those groups and most regional networks have a nominal presence (and actually advertise). Where I am, EMF bought out a couple of small religious networks and K-LOVE and Air1'ed them and outside of scanning the dial with their four translators per market, you wouldn't even know they existed. And there's a sports radio station locally that's run from 100 miles away with no local studio and it shows; they barely work on the transmitter and it always sounds horrid. The biggest effect on TV; Ion hubs all of their stations to West Palm Beach and kills all the 'commercial mini-mall' leases they have to maintain in their areas for their 'studio' pretenses. Some broadcast groups will abuse it, and a few low-tier networks will start (and fail) that will make YouToo America look like a competent broadcaster; remember that the 'hubbing news out of one place' model failed miserably with the Independent and American news networks. Many cities will probably offer up tax incentives and TIF's to keep studios in town. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/15610-sinclair-tribune-close-to-merger-deal/page/36/#findComment-174824 Share on other sites More sharing options...
TennTV1983 804 Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 So if that is the case...which do you think will be sold? and who will buy which station? I have a feeling ABC or Scripps could go for KOMO Fox acquiring KCPQ and possibly KZJO post-merger is a more likely outcome than what you're suggesting. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/15610-sinclair-tribune-close-to-merger-deal/page/36/#findComment-174827 Share on other sites More sharing options...
CircleSeven 1955 Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 I think Sinclair is relying on the confidence that the government will now bend the rules in their favor to give them what they want... We shall see.... If that's what they're riding on, then that's an extremely gutsy move they're pulling. Because what happens if certain rules (the top-four prohibition (including the one with affiliate swaps), eight voices test, JSA attribution (they can't form new JSAs), which as of right now are still in effect) doesn't change during the regulatory process? Are they going to ask for waivers until some rules do change later (and that alone is gutsy)? And the advocacy groups are going stop to nothing to try to get that UHF loophole blocked. Even if they have to go the courts to do it (even if it ruled against them). In fact about it, that's what the groups should've done. They should've just went straight to the courts and not the FCC to ask for a stay. You know Pai is not going to give them a stay. Can't wait to see the full paperwork. Whenever it comes........ Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/15610-sinclair-tribune-close-to-merger-deal/page/36/#findComment-174837 Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoldenShine9 1513 Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 If that's what they're riding on, then that's an extremely gutsy move they're pulling. Because what happens if certain rules (the top-four prohibition (including the one with affiliate swaps), eight voices test, JSA attribution (they can't form new JSAs), which as of right now are still in effect) doesn't change during the regulatory process? Are they going to ask for waivers until some rules do change later (and that alone is gutsy)? And the advocacy groups are going stop to nothing to try to get that UHF loophole blocked. Even if they have to go the courts to do it (even if it ruled against them). In fact about it, that's what the groups should've done. They should've just went straight to the courts and not the FCC to ask for a stay. You know Pai is not going to give them a stay. Can't wait to see the full paperwork. Whenever it comes........ They really have a narrow window of opportunity to hope all that changes. First, even with the UHF discount, they are about 6% over the cap and only Congress can change that. Second, it was Congress that passed those amendments on grandfathered shell deals (those up to 2014 are legal), and if one or both houses flips in 2018 they can forget about any relief there. Even now, it is probably not a high priority among legislators. Finally, it takes a lot of time to flip courts to throw out cases. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/15610-sinclair-tribune-close-to-merger-deal/page/36/#findComment-174841 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Weeters 1916 Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 They really have a narrow window of opportunity to hope all that changes. First, even with the UHF discount, they are about 6% over the cap and only Congress can change that. Second, it was Congress that passed those amendments on grandfathered shell deals (those up to 2014 are legal), and if one or both houses flips in 2018 they can forget about any relief there. Even now, it is probably not a high priority among legislators. Finally, it takes a lot of time to flip courts to throw out cases. Even if the House or Senate flip in 2018, they won't actually be in office until early 2019. That gives the current Congress more than a year and a half to change that rule. They'll staple it to a "job creation bill" and zoom, off it goes! Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/15610-sinclair-tribune-close-to-merger-deal/page/36/#findComment-174847 Share on other sites More sharing options...
JCB4TV 347 Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 Fox acquiring KCPQ and possibly KZJO post-merger is a more likely outcome than what you're suggesting. We can all say now that if FOX wants to own a station in Seattle (Seahawks), now would be the time. At this time Seattle is one of only 3 NFC markets where FOX does not own its station, Milwaukee-Green Bay & New Orleans. Although if Sinclair is successful, they'll have WITI in Milwaukee along with WLUK in Green Bay while Saints owner Tom Benson just sold WVUE to Raycom. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/15610-sinclair-tribune-close-to-merger-deal/page/36/#findComment-174855 Share on other sites More sharing options...
JCB4TV 347 Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 According to The Seattle Times, Sinclair expects to keep KOMO and KCPQ, which might see KOMO4 or Q13 News teams being laid off http://www.seattletimes.com/business/sale-of-tribune-to-sinclair-could-put-komo-kcpq-under-same-broadcast-giant/ No quadopoly in Oklahoma City please. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/15610-sinclair-tribune-close-to-merger-deal/page/36/#findComment-174856 Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoldenShine9 1513 Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 https://www.mediamatters.org/blog/2017/05/22/experts-and-tribune-media-unions-raise-concerns-about-sinclair-s-history-pushing-conservative/216452 Employees are downright terrified right now. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/15610-sinclair-tribune-close-to-merger-deal/page/36/#findComment-174879 Share on other sites More sharing options...
nobody 20 Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 https://www.mediamatters.org/blog/2017/05/22/experts-and-tribune-media-unions-raise-concerns-about-sinclair-s-history-pushing-conservative/216452 Employees are downright terrified right now. Employees are downright scared because they may be downsized or replaced - the article is a joke if they expect anyone to believe the employees are concerned about Sinclair leaning Right. Tribune stations have .001% of programming dedicated to National Political Coverage. tribune has NO National News - whatever they do political is on the local level, employees could care less about political content swaying one way or another - they just cover the news of the day in politics whatever it may be. The only News Operations That make an issue of the sway of politics are at the Network and Cable Network Level. Sinclair Management may be Conservative but I wonder just how conservative their local stations actually intentionally and consciously sway - being 97% of their current stations are not in Major Markets. If Sinclair stations DO sway right - it because that's what their viewership in those markets is. tribune employees are just scared for their jobs under new ownership - to say they are concerned about Sinclair leaning right is Hogwash Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/15610-sinclair-tribune-close-to-merger-deal/page/36/#findComment-174881 Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonDonP1 118 Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 Fox acquiring KCPQ and possibly KZJO post-merger is a more likely outcome than what you're suggesting. I heartily agree with you. I do hope for more than one network-owned television station in Seattle. So far, there is still one: KSTW CW 11, owned by the CBS Corporation, among the two co-owners of the CW network itself. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/15610-sinclair-tribune-close-to-merger-deal/page/36/#findComment-174884 Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonDonP1 118 Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 No quadopoly in Oklahoma City please. Agreed. With respect to those who want Sinclair to own both KOMO 4 and Q13, no quadroply in Seattle, either. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/15610-sinclair-tribune-close-to-merger-deal/page/36/#findComment-174887 Share on other sites More sharing options...
TSSZNews 1051 Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 Fox acquiring KCPQ and possibly KZJO post-merger is a more likely outcome than what you're suggesting. Not if Sinclair is as serious about acquiring NFL rights down the road as some trade publications are suggesting... Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/15610-sinclair-tribune-close-to-merger-deal/page/36/#findComment-174890 Share on other sites More sharing options...
CalItalian2 163 Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 Even if the House or Senate flip in 2018, they won't actually be in office until early 2019. That gives the current Congress more than a year and a half to change that rule. They'll staple it to a "job creation bill" and zoom, off it goes! All they have to do is put contested stations in a trust. They can delay selling those stations for up to a decade or more. iHeart, Clear Channel at the time, still has radio stations in the Aloha Station Trust it created 10 years ago in markets where they would be (and still are) over the limit. Democrats controlling government didn't change a thing. Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/15610-sinclair-tribune-close-to-merger-deal/page/36/#findComment-174894 Share on other sites More sharing options...
tyrannical bastard 3953 Posted May 22, 2017 Share Posted May 22, 2017 All they have to do is put contested stations in a trust. They can delay selling those stations for up to a decade or more. iHeart, Clear Channel at the time, still has radio stations in the Aloha Station Trust it created 10 years ago in markets where they would be (and still are) over the limit. Democrats controlling government didn't change a thing. Cough cough..... CUNNINGHAM... Cough cough.... DEERFIELD... Cough cough... CHESAPEAKE.... You get the idea... Link to comment https://localnewstalk.net/topic/15610-sinclair-tribune-close-to-merger-deal/page/36/#findComment-174915 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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