Durbin Urges Pai to Reconsider Position on Sinclair/Tribune, a Deal Worrying NCTC

Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin, D-Ill., urged FCC Chairman Ajit Pai to give “careful consideration” to his position on Sinclair’s proposed buy of Tribune, saying in a Monday letter that allowing the proposed merger “would go directly against” Congress’ direction that the commission “establish limits to how many households a single broadcasting company could reach.” Recent actions, including restoration of the UHF discount, show the commission “is now going out of it is way to clear barriers to [Sinclair/Tribune] by rolling back any rule that may pose a problem to it,” Durbin wrote: “Sinclair no longer will even need to go through the formality of pretending to divest" its stations because of recent FCC actions. Durbin noted his opposition to Sinclair/Tribune last week in a Crain’s Chicago Business opinion piece. Democrats’ concerns about Sinclair/Tribune dominated a Wednesday House Communications Subcommittee FCC oversight hearing (see 1710250050). The agency has received Durbin's letter and is "reviewing it," a spokesman said. Sinclair meantime “seems unconcerned that the approach to smaller markets and the inevitable adverse impacts on consumers will be scrutinized” in buying Tribune, said National Cable Television Cooperative CEO Rich Fickle in a statement. “Sinclair is acting with total confidence that its merger with Tribune will be approved.” Fickle said Sinclair is using its “Gorilla-like weight” to intimidate smaller cable carriers: “We are very concerned that if unchecked, Sinclair’s size will create notable economic harm to consumers in smaller markets.” The broadcaster didn't comment.