Network Affiliates Seek Change in DOJ Broadcast Market Definition
The “narrow and increasingly inaccurate” way the DOJ Antitrust Division defines broadcast advertising competition prevents beneficial purchases, said the affiliate associations of all four big networks in a joint letter Wednesday. The DOJ’s definition of local advertising competition means it…
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will always view local broadcast markets as highly concentrated and broadcast deals as enhancing market power, the letter said. Allowing more broadcast transactions is the “cure” for declining local news offerings, the affiliate groups said. “The costs of providing local news can be amortized across two stations, and the programming can be offered throughout the daily schedule of each outlet, leading to a substantial increase in output,” the groups said. “Clinging” to an “anachronistic view” of competition has “a deleterious impact on local journalism and programming,” the letter said. DOJ held a workshop on possible changes to its view of broadcast markets in 2019 but hasn't announced any policy changes in that area (see 1905020068).