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In race for duopolies, FCC filings likely to cement earlier deals, create few new ones
Expect a flood of applications but not a lot of surprises when the FCC starts accepting applications for TV duopolies tomorrow (Nov. 16). Station owners and brokers agree that most applicants will look to create duopolies out of existing local marketing agreements that include options to buy the second station, rather than build new two-to-a-market holdings.
"Anyone who qualifies would be foolish not to rush in," especially in markets that hover around nine individual owners, says one TV group head who asked not to be identified. The FCC's new duopoly rules require that a market have at least eight individual owners post-duopoly.
There currently are about 35 qualifying LMAs in the country, according to BROADCASTING & CABLE research. And of the nation's 59 markets where BIA Research says there are nine or more
individual...