FCC Approves Univision Sale

FCC APPROVES UNIVISION SALE
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable, AUTHOR: John Eggerton]
The FCC has approved the sale of Univision's TV stations to Broadcast Media Partners, an investor group led by TV kids programming veteran Haim Saban. As expected, Univision agreed to pay $24 million (the commission's largest fine ever, according to Commissioner Michael Copps) in a consent decree with the commission to settle outstanding complaints about violations of the FCC's kids programming rules. Licenses generally cannot be transferred while there are complaints pending against them. Commenting on the $24 million payment, FCC Chairman Kevin Martin said, "It reflects the seriousness with which the commission takes its public-interest obligations. These requirements are not optional, and we expect broadcasters to comply with them. With these commitments by Univision, I believe this transaction is in the public interest."
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6428343.html?display=Breaking+News

* FCC press release: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-271810A1.doc
* Order: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-07-24A1.doc

* Chairman Martin: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-07-24A2.doc
* Commissioner Copps: "Today's item will most likely be remembered because it imposes a $24 million fine, far and away the Commission's largest ever. And indeed this amount is entirely appropriate; it makes clear that violating the Commission's media regulations cannot simply be dismissed as just another cost of doing business." But he continues to explain that the Order fails to address two critical aspects of the transaction: 1) the Commission has never formally decided whether Spanish-language programming constitutes a separate market segment that must be analyzed in isolation from English-speaking programming and 2) the transfer of 114 stations to five private equity firms.
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-07-24A3.doc
* Commissioner Adelstein: "It is my hope and expectation that today's approval will mark the beginning of an enhanced commitment by Univision's new management to better serve the public interest and the needs of the Hispanic American community."
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-07-24A4.doc
* Commissioner Tate: http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-07-24A5.doc

* Univision's new owners start with tough program
http://www.latimes.com/business/printedition/la-fi-univision28mar28,1,3048377.story?coll=la-headlines-pe-business