FCC Votes To Stop New JSAs, Undo Current Deals

As anticipated, the FCC today ruled by a 3-2 vote that TV broadcasters may not form new joint sales agreements in which one station sells 15% or more of the advertising time of another separately owned station in the same market, according to TV NewsCheck.

Some broadcasters have been using JSAs exceeding 15%, usually in concert with shared services agreements, to operate second TV stations in markets where outright ownership is prohibited by agency rules.

Also under the new regulation, existing JSAs would generally be required to unwind within two years, unless the broadcasters involved can persuade the FCC that a particular arrangement genuinely serves the public interest and that the stations are truly independent or each other.

The commission said the Media Bureau will consider certain waiver requests with 90 days of the record on such requests.

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