Chairman Pai's Response to Sen Durbin Regarding Sinclair Broadcast Proposal to Acquire Tribune Media

On April 16, 2018, Sen Dick Durbin (D-IL) wrote to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai regarding the merger between Sinclair Broadcast Group and Tribune Media Company. "In making its determination whether the proposed merger to allow a single company to reach 72 percent of U.S. television households serves the public interest, I urge the FCC to carefully consider Sinclair's conduct and the significant harm it poses," Sen Durbin wrote. On May 10, Chairman Pai responded by writing, "I can assure you that Commission staff will review the transaction, including all recent filings, to ensure that it complies with all applicable laws. Moreover, the Commission's informal 180-day shot clock has been paused since January 4, 2018, because we have not had adequate information upon which to base a decision on the proposed transfer of control."