Media Bureau Doesn't Have Authority to Grant Nexstar Waiver, ACA Says
The FCC Media Bureau can't approve a waiver allowing Nexstar/Media General to complete their $4.6 billion deal because it “has no delegated authority to waive spectrum auction rules,” said the American Cable Association in a letter filed in docket 16-57…
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Tuesday. “Rather than file their request for waiver with the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau -- which has delegated authority regarding spectrum auctions, Applicants wrongly filed their request for waiver in the docket for the Media Bureau’s review of the transfers of control of Media General’s broadcast television licenses to Nexstar,” said ACA. The cable association also objected to granting the transaction on any bureau's delegated authority, because of the uniqueness of Nexstar's request. “Given the unprecedented situation Applicants’ request presents, sound policy requires a decision to be issued by the full Commission,” ACA said. The association also filed in opposition to aspects of Nexstar/Media General itself, seeking conditions on the combination to prevent it from affecting retransmission consent negotiations (see 1611250042). Nexstar and the Media Bureau didn't comment.