The FCC Media Bureau announced the filing of...

The FCC Media Bureau announced the filing of applications and comment deadlines for the proposed merger between Gannett and Belo (http://bit.ly/16jV0JY) and the proposed merger between Tribune Media and Local TV. Because market overlaps in the Tribune transaction would violate the commission’s cross-ownership rules in some markets, the parties have proposed transferring TV licenses for stations in Norfolk, Va., Portsmouth, Va., and Scranton, Pa., to Dreamcatcher, in a transaction that would include a shared services agreement with Tribune, said the Media Bureau release. Petitions to deny the transaction are due Aug. 19, opposition comments Sept. 4, and replies to the oppositions Sept. 16, said the bureau. The Gannett/Belo merger application also involves cross-ownership issues in some markets. To resolve them, TV licenses in several markets -- including Phoenix, St. Louis and Tucson -- will be transferred to either Sander Media or Tucker Operating Co., in deals that will include shared services agreements or Joint Sales Agreements, the Media Bureau said. At the request of Free Press and several other organizations that filed petitions to deny in the Gannett/Belo proceeding, the bureau is instituting “permit but disclose” ex parte procedures in the proceeding, the bureau said. Oppositions to the petitions to deny are due Aug. 8, and replies to the oppositions Aug. 20.