Media Council Hawaii Asks FCC to Block Raycom/MCG Shared Service Agreement

Public Interest Group Media Council Hawaii is asking the Federal Communications Commission to block Raycom and MCG Capital's shared service agreement, in which Raycom, which owns NBC affiliate KHNL and MyNetworkTV affiliate KFVE would also operate CBS affiliate KGMB, owned by MCG. The group is asking the FCC to enjoin the two companies from executing the agreement later this month, saying it would do "imminent" harm to viewers "through its negative impact on diversity and competition." Media Council Hawaii says the agreement, because it allows Raycom to control the local news, personnel and finances of the three stations, is the equivalent of a transfer of license that violates FCC local TV ownership rules.