Broadcast Deregulation Foes File Supreme Court Brief
In advance of the Supreme Court's Jan.
In advance of the Supreme Court's Jan.
Local TV broadcast station owner EW Scripps is jumping into the national television business by buying Ion Media for $2.65 billion in a deal backed by Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway. Berkshire Hathaway is investing $600 million in Scripps to help pay for Ion and make a bet on free over-the-air television. Scripps already had a national presence with Katz Networks, which runs channels like Bounce and Court TV. Ion reaches 96% of US homes with stations in 62 markets and 124 affiliated stations.
The National Association of Broadcasters is warning the Federal Communications Commission not to mess with the hard-fought compromise broadcasters struck with Microsoft over freeing up more white spaces spectrum for 5G, particularly in rural areas, while not interfering with broadcasters sharing the spectrum band. In comments on the FCC's white spaces proposal, which was unanimously adopted Feb.
Broadcasters are telling the Federal Communications Commission that the current pandemic provides even more argument for loosening broadcast ownership regulations.
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