FCC Approves Tribune Acquisition In Conn.

By: Melissa B. Robinson, Associated Press Writer (AP) The Federal Communications Commission on Monday approved the acquisition of a Waterbury, Conn., television station by Tribune Co., the communications giant that already owns a Hartford television station and The Hartford Courant newspaper.

The order allows the transfer of control of Tiberius Broadcasting Inc. and WTXX-TV to Tribune from Counterpoint Communications Inc.

But the FCC also gave Tribune six months to sell one of its assets because of a federal rule that prohibits the issuance of a broadcast license to a company that already owns a newspaper in the same media market.

Last month, the FCC cleared News Corp.'s $4.4 billion bid to buy television station owner Chris-Craft and its 32 stations, a move that gave Fox access to nearly 41% of U.S. viewers.

The WTXX purchase triggered the rule because Tribune already owns a newspaper in the Hartford market. The ruling could force the company to give up WTXX, unless it sells The Hartford Courant, a move that is not expected.

"We expect Tribune to exercise its best effort to sell the necessary assets to come into compliance with the rule," wrote the commission, which approved the sale 5-0. The order was dated Aug. 3.

Gary Weitman, a spokesman for the Chicago-based Tribune Co., said the company was studying its options for complying with the FCC order.

However, "We remain hopeful and confident that cross-ownership restrictions will be relaxed," before Tribune is forced to sell an asset, he said. The FCC is currently reviewing its rule on newspaper-television cross-ownership.

Tribune, which already owns WTIC-TV Fox Channel 61 in Hartford and has been operating WTXX-TV in Waterbury for more than three years, was granted a waiver to acquire the Waterbury station because the station is struggling financially, and the Tribune has pledged to make investments in equipment and in new public affairs programming.

It also promised to continue daily broadcasts of the Roman Catholic Mass for five years.

"We believe that grant of the application serves the public interest convenience and necessity," the commission wrote.

A waiver was needed because a federal rule prohibits the same company from controlling two TV stations in the same market, if the resulting acquisition leaves fewer than eight independently owned and operated stations in the market.

Tribune owned WTIC-TV before it took control of the Courant. Under federal rules, that TV station is not affected until its license is up for renewal in 2007.

Tribune Co. is a major newspaper publisher and television broadcaster. It owns 11 newspapers, including the Los Angeles Times and the Chicago Tribune, 22 television stations, a 25% stake in the WB network, and four radio stations.