July 16, 2018

ACA Statement Supporting FCC Chairman Pai In Seeking ALJ Review Of Sinclair-Tribune Deal

For Immediate Release
Contact: Ted Hearn
(202) 713-0826
[email protected]

PITTSBURGH, July 16, 2018 – American Cable Association President and CEO Matthew M. Polka issued the following statement regarding FCC Chairman Pai’s decision to circulate a draft hearing designation order regarding the Sinclair/Tribune transaction:

“The American Cable Association applauds FCC Chairman Pai for seeking the support of the other Commissioners to refer the Sinclair-Tribune transaction and the associated station sales to Fox and others to an Administration Law Judge, an action that’s understood to signal the Commission’s disapproval of the deal.  From the beginning,  ACA has insisted that the transaction is unlawful and certain to create numerous consumer harms, such as higher retransmission consent fees.  It’s well past time for Sinclair to realize that its effort to engage in massive media consolidation has failed and that it should withdraw the transaction without delay so the FCC no longer needs to devote any of its limited resources to a doomed endeavor.”

About the American Cable Association: Based in Pittsburgh, the American Cable Association is a trade organization representing about 800 smaller and medium-sized, independent companies that provide broadband, phone and video services to nearly 8 million customers primarily located in rural and smaller suburban markets across America. Through active participation in the regulatory and legislative process in Washington, D.C., ACA’s members work together to advance the interests of their customers and ensure the future competitiveness and viability of their business. For more information, visit: https://acaconnects.org/