FCC OK's Nexstar's Purchase of Communications Corp. America

The Federal Communications Commission has approved Nexstar's $370 million purchase of Communications Corp. of America, so long as it spins off WEVV-TV, the CBS (and Fox) affiliate in Evansville (IN) to Bayou City Broadcasting.

Nexstar had already said back in August that it was selling the station to Bayou in order to secure Department of Justice and FCC approval. The Department of Justice had signaled it was OK with the deal contingent on that spin-off. FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler and fellow FCC Commissioner Mignon Clyburn said the approval of that deal, and other recent deals, shows that the FCC has moved to reign in "sidecar" joint sales agreements was creating new business models that promoted independent voices.