Television Duopoly in Small Markets

Posted by D. Daniel Sokol

Matthew Spitzer (Southern California - Law) addresses Television Duopoly in Small Markets.

ABSTRACT: This article will show that, in general, allowing merger in small television markets is good for diversity in local news and public affairs. Consequently, the FCC should adopt a presumption in favor of the legality of television mergers in small markets. Intervenors and staff should be able to rebut the presumption in favor of a particular merger by showing that the specific facts of the market containing the proposed merger cause the other public interest goals – competition or localism – to require a different result.