Lauren Thomas

Sinclair said it built a roughly 8 percent stake in E.W. Scripps and is vying to acquire the local TV broadcaster. The two companies held constructive talks about a potential deal in recent months but have yet to strike an agreement, Sinclair said. Sinclair’s stake was revealed in a regulatory filing. Sinclair bought up the stake to add pressure on Scripps to strike a deal.

Brookfield Infrastructure Partners has struck a deal for internet-service provider Hotwire Communications, making a multibillion-dollar bet on the growing industry for next-generation broadband infrastructure. The deal is expected to value Hotwire at around $7 billion, including debt. An announcement is expected soon. Hotwire is a closely held internet service provider that operates in commercial settings and residential communities, according to its website.

Verizon is in advanced talks to acquire Frontier Communications in a deal that would bolster the company’s fiber network to compete with rivals including AT&T. A deal would be sizable, given Frontier’s market value of over $7 billion. The company, cobbled together by several deals over the years, provides broadband connections to about three million locations across 25 states. Verizon, the top cellphone carrier by subscribers, has faced increased pressure from competitors and from cable TV companies that offer discounted wireless service backed by Verizon’s own cellular network.