FCC closes loophole in TV ownership rules

YOUNGSTOWN — A federal agency’s action to limit joint-sales agreements between television stations could force changes upon two companies in the Youngstown market.

The Federal Communications Commission in Washington on Monday took steps to close a loophole in its TV ownership rule by making sure that a company’s interests in a market are properly counted.

The action is intended to ensure competition, local authority and diversity in a broadcast market by reining in joint-sales agreements, according to a statement released by the FCC.

A JSA is a pact between two stations in the same market in which one station is authorized to sell advertising time on the other station. Such a situation exists between LIN Media, which owns WKBN-TV and WYFX-TV, and Vaughan Media LLC that owns WYTV-TV.

Both stations’ news and sales operations were combined under WKBN’s umbrella under an agreement between their parent companies reached several years ago.

David Coy, general manager of WKBN-WYTV, did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday on how the ruling might affect the Youngstown stations.

For the complete story, read Wednesday's Vindicator and Vindy.com