FCC votes to refer Sinclair merger to judge

The Federal Communications Commission voted unanimously to send the merger between Sinclair Broadcast Group and Tribune Media before an administrative law judge, a process that could doom the $3.9 billion deal. 

The Hill notes that Sinclair responded to Chairman Pai's proposal on July 18 with a revised plan to sell off certain stations from the combined company in order to get it under a congressionally-mandated ownership limit. The 4-0 vote the evening of July 18 appears to be a rejection of those concessions.