Concerns, political and commercial, over Sinclair’s dominance of local TV

Sinclair Broadcast Group, the nation’s largest television broadcaster, is set to expand its reach into nearly three-quarters of American households, a prospect that has elicited concerns both commercial and ideological. Known for pushing “must-run” segments of reliably conservative political commentary, Sinclair’s expansion has raised hackles among media watchdog groups. Executives from smaller conservative outlets like One America News Network to industry groups like the American Cable Association are urging the Federal Communications Commission to reject the merger, claiming that such consolidation would result in less competition and higher prices for consumers. Given FCC Chairman Ajit Pai’s previous statements, however, resistance to the deal appears futile.