Still No FCC Decision on Nexstar-Media General

In the "no news is not good news for either Nexstar or Media General" department, the Federal Communications Commission's Media Bureau has yet to act on the waiver request by the two broadcasters that the commission make a decision on their proposed $4.6 billion merger, apparently.

The FCC's informal shot clock on the deal—it shoots for 180 days—was at day 306 at press time. As the days wind down to the holidays, it looks unlikely the waiver will be ruled on before the end of 2016. The companies extended some deadlines for the deal completion a couple of weeks ago amidst buzz that the FCC might be ready to both rule on the waiver and decide on the deal, which could come simultaneously. But that did not materialize. The FCC signaled early on that it would not make decisions on station license transfers that could implicate spectrum auction participants—this deal qualifies—while the auction was still going on.