The F.C.C has voted to loosen ownership regulations. This is votes comes as Sinclair seeks to finalize its purchase of Tribune Media for $3.9 billion dollars.
According to a story in the New York Times, the Federal Communications Commission eliminated the media cross ownership ban.
As part of the vote, the agency also increased the number of television stations a company could own in a local market. A company will more easily be able to own two of the four largest stations in a market, instead of only one.
AdvertisementThe vote was the latest action in a deregulatory blitz at the agency cheered on by media, broadband and cable corporations, but opposed by many Democrats and consumer advocates, who say Americans will be hurt from greater consolidation in those industries.
FCC commissioner Ajit Pai, who was appointed by President Trump, says the media rules and restrictions were outdated.