Meredith’s $130 million buy of Sander Media/Gannett’s Independent KTVK-TV and KASW-TV (CW) Phoenix from Gannett has scored an early of its antitrust review. The FTC issued the notice 6/6 in a list of the deals submitted for review that will not require conditions or be blocked by either the FTC or DOJ. The FCC typically coordinates its public interest review with DOJ, so the deal is likely to gain FCC approval as well, though it is still officially under review.
On June 13, 2013, Gannett, owner of KPNX-TV Phoenix and the Arizona Republic, acquired Belo. As FCC rules restrict one company from owning more than two television stations in the same market, Gannett announced that it would spin off KTVK and KASW to Sander Media. While Gannett intended to provide services to the stations through an SSA, KTVK and KASW’s operations would have remained mostly separate from KPNX and the Republic.
Despite objections to the Gannett-Belo merger, the FCC granted approval of the deal on 12/20/13. As the sale was completed on 12/2313, Sander/Gannett sold KTVK to the Meredith, owner of CBS KPHO-TV there. The license assets of KASW were sold to SagamoreHill Broadcasting, however Meredith will operate that station through an SSA.
