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FCC Approves Gannett's Purchase Of Dallas-Based Belo Corp.

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WFAA-TV will soon be part of the Gannett family.

The Federal Communications Commission has approved Gannett Co.’s purchase of Dallas-based Belo Corp., including WFAA-TV (Channel 8). It’s the final regulatory clearance for the $1.5 billion deal for several TV stations across the country.

Bloomberg reports:

Gannett, which owns 23 TV stations, agreed in June to purchase Dallas-based Belo including its 20 stations. The deal would make Gannett the fourth-largest owner of major network affiliates, reaching about one-third of U.S. households, according to the company. The FCC’s approval came in an order released today by e-mail. An earlier Justice Department settlement requires the companies to sell KMOV-TV in St. Louis to preserve competition in a market where Gannett and Belo overlap. Gannett, based in McLean, Virginia, also owns 82 U.S. daily newspapers, including USA Today. Adding TV stations gives Gannett leverage in negotiating licensing fees for cable and satellite companies to use its signals.

Eric Aasen is KERA’s managing editor. He helps lead the station's news department, including radio and digital reporters, producers and newscasters. He also oversees keranews.org, the station’s news website, and manages the station's digital news projects. He reports and writes stories for the website and contributes pieces to KERA radio. He's discussed breaking news live on various public radio programs, including The Takeaway, Here & Now and Texas Standard, as well as radio and TV programs in New Zealand and the United Kingdom.