Broadcast powerhouse Nexstar has vociferously opposed the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) suggestion of a $1.2 million penalty concerning its influence over New York-based station WPIX. Nexstar claims that the proposed fine is not only unconstitutional but also breaches both the Communications Act and procedural norms.
FCC Proposes Steep Fines
In a robust defense, Nexstar Media Group Inc. responded to the FCC’s March allegations that accused the Texas-based conglomerate of acquiring “de facto” control over WPIX, thereby exceeding the FCC’s 39% national audience cap through various local programming and marketing agreements with WPIX licensee, Mission Broadcasting Inc. According to the FCC, Nexstar’s connections to WPIX-TV facilitated an “unauthorized transfer of control,” prompting a fine of over $612,000. An additional penalty of the same amount was proposed for circumventing federal regulations designed to curb market dominance.
Nexstar Calls FCC’s Floated $1.2M Fine Over WPIX ‘Unlawful’: Nexstar’s Counterargument
Nexstar rebuffed these accusations in its Monday filing, asserting that the penalties aim to unjustly nullify commercial agreements previously sanctioned by the FCC when Mission acquired WPIX from Scripps Media Inc. in 2020. Nexstar highlighted the transparency of their agreements, which were attached to the WPIX application—a document that the FCC had approved without objection during its three-month review period.
We are The People's Media. USA Herald covers everything from breaking news to investigative journalism. We also report on politics on the State and National levels.
