D.C. Memo: Big Radio Deal Fractures FCC over Soros Ownership Ties

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Radio Deal: The Democratic-controlled FCC yesterday approved a major radio station deal that some believe represented a substantial favor to Democratic Party donor – billionaire George Soros. The deal allows Audacy to come out of bankruptcy and hand control to a new entity allegedly controlled by Soros. The deal involves 200 radio stations in 40 markets reaching more than 165 million Americans. Some Audacy stations air the talk shows of such well-known conservative commentators as Sean Hannity, Dana Loesch, and Mark Levin. FCC Republicans Brendan Carr and Nathan Simington issued biting statements that effectively accused FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel of ignoring agency precedent while supervising a process that lacked transparency. "The FCC’s decision today is unprecedented. Never before has the FCC voted to approve the transfer of a broadcast license – let alone the transfer of broadcast licenses for over 200 radio stations across more than 40 markets – without following the requirements and procedures codified in federal law. Not once," Carr said. Simington said he believed that Rosenworcel established a review process effectively designed to exclude him until Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) demanded a vote by all five commissioners. "It is trivial that fair and objective judgment is rooted in an opportunity to discover facts, yet I was afforded none. The first outreach I received about this transaction, the application for which has been pending before the FCC since March, was when I was informed by bureau staff in August that: Thanks but no thanks, they would handle it for me." Rosenworcel issued a statement Monday saying the agency had followed rulings in four prior bankruptcies involving radio or TV stations. "To suggest otherwise is cynical and wrong, as this precedent clearly demonstrates. Our practice here and in these prior cases is designed to facilitate the prompt and orderly emergence from bankruptcy of a company that is a licensee under the Communications Act," Rosenworcel said. In all three statements, none of the commissioners mentioned the 94-year-old Soros by name. Last Thursday, House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer (R-Ky.) sent Rosenworcel a letter saying that he was "investigating an apparent attempt by the FCC majority to interfere in the 2024 election and politicize the work of the FCC."