Sinclair To Sell TV Stations In New York And Chicago

(RTTNews) - Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. (SBGI) said it would sell TV stations in New York and Chicago to help get regulators' approval to buy Tribune Media Co. -- but the broadcaster also said it would still operate the properties that are crown jewels of the $3.9 billion proposed acquisition.

Selling New York's WPIX and Chicago's WGN was presented in a Sinclair filing Wednesday as a way to help meet the Federal Communications Commission's limit for national audience reach.

Deals have been reached with undisclosed parties, and sales would take place around the time the merger is completed. Sinclair will enter into service agreements with the new owners. Sinclair has faced criticism for service agreements that leave it in de facto control while titular owners play a diminished role.