As they prepare to merge, LIN Media and Media General will have to sell or swap stations in five markets — Providence, Birmingham, Mobile, Green Bay and Savannah — to comply with FCC rules limiting ownership of more than one station in a market, TVNewsCheck reports:
“We recognize the issue, and we are going to work very constructively and creatively with the FCC to make sure we close this transaction as quickly as possible,” said Mahoney. “We are clear that certain stations will have to be swapped or sold.”
Mahoney suggested that he preferred swaps, even though they are harder to do than straight sales. “It cleans out the issue and could allow us to grow our national footprint. There is real opportunity there.”
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A list of the stations is after the jump.
- Providence-New Bedford (DMA No. 53): Media General owns WJAR, LIN owns WPRI and operates WNAC
- Birmingham, Ala. (DMA No. 44): Media General owns WVTM, LIN owns WIAT
- Mobile, Ala. (DMA No. 59): Media General owns WKRG, LIN owns WALA and WFNA
- Green Bay (DMA No. 70): Media General Owns WBAY, LIN owns WLUK and WCWF
- Savannah, Ga. (DMA No. 92): Media General owns WSAV, LIN owns WJCL and operates WTGS