Companies operating local broadcast/print media combos have another 90 days of waiver time to keep them up and running. The FCC is still considering a proposal to grant an indefinite waiver contingent on a final resolution of cross-ownership rules.
The group that long ago brought the common-sense suggestion before the FCC includes Cox Enterprises; Calvary Inc.; Bonneville International Corp.; Scranton Times LP; and Morris Communications.
The suggestion is simply that cross-owned combinations be allowed to operate until such time as there is a final resolution of pending court challenges to the cross-ownership rules, plus 90 days to allow for possible sale of assets should that be necessary.
The FCC for years now has not ruled on the indefinite waiver request, preferring to simply kick the ball forward 90 days until it comes up again.
RBR-TVBR observation: This has become a quarterly ritual. Perhaps the 2010 quadrennial review will finally result in some certainty one way or the other regarding cross-ownership. Or maybe it won’t be resolved until newspapers are as rare as town criers.
