Home Login RADIO ONLINE RSS Facebook
Advertisement

FCC Again Denies Opponents of Entercom-CBS Radio Merger


The FCC in a decision released Thursday refused the challenge of the Entercom-CBS Radio merger over a broadcaster's allegations of "news distortion." A joint Petition for Reconsideration was filed by by Edward R. Stolz II (Stolz) and Deborah J. Naiman (Naiman) on July 26, 2018, seeking reconsideration of the agency's decision denying their Application for Review. In November, 2017, the Media Bureau rejected the arguments raised in the Petitions and Supplements, denied the Petitions and granted the Merger.

Following the approval, Stolz and Naiman then filed an Application for Review (AFR) of the Order, arguing that the Bureau erred by not designating the Merger and Divestiture Applications for evidentiary hearing in response to Petitioners' claim that CBS had engaged in "intentional news distortion" at its television stations, which Petitioners also claim called into question CBS's basic character qualifications to hold any Commission license.

Stolz had challenged the Merger and Divestiture Applications in the Sacramento and San Francisco markets. Naiman challenged only those in the Sacramento market.

The FCC denied the AFR, finding that nothing in Petitioners' claims of news distortion at CBS television stations raised a question about CBS's qualifications to hold the radio station licenses that were the subject of the Merger and Divestiture Applications. On reconsideration, Petitioners argued that the Commission had based its decision to designate the Sinclair-Tribune Applications but not the Merger and Divestiture Applications on Sinclair's status as a "right of center media organization" whereas CBS is "a well-known leftist media organization."

The Commission's rules specifies limited circumstances under which a party may seek reconsideration of a Commission denial of an application for review. Such a petition for reconsideration will be entertained only if the petition "relies on facts or arguments which relate to events which have occurred or circumstances which have changed since the last opportunity to present such matters to the Commission," and/or "relies on facts or arguments unknown to petitioner until after his last opportunity to present them to the Commission, and he could not through the exercise of ordinary diligence have learned of the facts or arguments in question prior to such opportunity."

Upon review of the Petition, the FCC concluded the two developments Petitioners cite do not provide new evidence that would justify reversing its findings in the AFR Order. To the extent that the Petition reiterates arguments regarding CBS's alleged news distortion that Petitioners had raised previously in their AFR, it was dismissed as repetitious and the Petitioners' other claims weree also rejected.

Advertisement

Latest Radio Stories

iHeartMedia Chicago Names Kashon Powell VP of Programming
Kashon Powell
Kashon Powell
iHeartMedia Chicago has named veteran programmer Kashon Powell as its new Vice President of Programming, overseeing WGCI-FM, WVAZ-FM, WGRB-AM, and WMFN-AM, effective August 18. Powell brings more than three decades of radio experience to the role, including leadership positions at both Urban One and More

Andrews Returns to Audacy Wisconsin as BM/Afternoons
Brett Andrews
Brett Andrews
Audacy appoints Brett Andrews as Brand Manager for WMHX-FM (Mix 105.1 FM) in Madison and Assistant Brand Manager for both WMYX-FM (99.1 The Mix) and WXSS-FM (103.7 Kiss FM) in Milwaukee, effective July 14. In addition to his leadership roles, Andrews will host afternoons on 99.1 The Mix, airing weekdays from More

Commuting on the Rise in 2025, Boosting Radio's Reach
Katz Radio Group
Katz Radio Group
New research from Katz Radio Group, analyzing the latest YouGov workforce data, reveals that commuting in the U.S. has surged in 2025, with more than 7 in 10 employed adults now traveling to jobs outside the home. The trend marks a 29% increase in commuting since 2020, signaling a More
Advertisement

FCC Removes Nearly 3,000 Words of Rules in DDD Initiative
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has taken new steps in its ongoing effort to eliminate outdated and unnecessary regulations under its "Delete, Delete, Delete" initiative, removing approximately 2,991 words and 41 rules from its regulatory code. The Commission's latest action targets what it More

Soros Fund, Del Nin Seek Dismissal of Warshaw Lawsuit
Jeffrey Warshaw
Jeffrey Warshaw
The legal dispute between Connoisseur Media CEO Jeffrey Warshaw and Soros Fund Management (SFM) intensified this week as SFM and its Head of Media Investments, Michael Del Nin, moved to dismiss Warshaw's lawsuit and demanded revisions to his complaint. Warshaw filed suit last month in Connecticut More

Covino & Rich to Air Live from 2025 MLB All-Star Game
Covino & Rich
Covino & Rich
FOX Sports Radio's afternoon duo Covino & Rich will take over morning duties next week with special live coverage of Major League Baseball's 95th All-Star Game, airing July 14-16 from Atlanta. With The Dan Patrick Show on vacation, Covino & Rich will move into the 9am-12pm ET slot for a special All-Star Week More

Return to Menu

Advertisement

Subscribe to our Newsletter
Radio news and headlines delivered right to your e-mail box -- and it's free.

Advertisement

Advertisement