D.C. Memo: FCC Probing Recent Flurry of Big Four Affiliation Swaps – ‘This is not the Wild West ... It's not Nam,’ Chairman Carr Says
'We are taking investigatory action right now on at least one, if not more, of these affiliation transactions," Carr says in a July 30 interview with Policyband
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Hot LZ: FCC Chairman Brendan Carr says the agency has launched investigations into a wave of Big Four network affiliation changes, warning broadcasters that recent moves may violate federal policy. Carr is also worried that the affiliation activity could leave local TV stations in a weaker position relative to their Big Four suppliers of national news and entertainment programming. “We are taking investigatory action right now on at least one, if not more, of these affiliation transactions,” Carr said in a July 30 interview with Policyband. Some companies, he said, appear to be treating affiliation swaps as if there are no rules. “This is not the Wild West, or as I like to say, it’s not Nam. There are some rules of the road,” he said. “To the extent that some broadcasters are of the view that this is a complete and total Wild West, I think that they are mistaken in that position.” (More after paywall)
