FCC OKs ION Media Networks Buyout

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The Federal Communications Commission approved Citadel Investment Group’s buyout of ION Media Networks earlier this week, saying that the transaction will “serve the public interest.”

The commission’s approval was a blow to a group of investors that filed a complaint regarding NBC Universal’s involvement in the transaction.

NBCU transferred its stake in ION to Citadel in May. NBCU is prohibited from exercising control over ION due to ownership regulations, but it will retain a minority interest.

The private-equity firm pledged to invest $100 million in the 60-station group.

ION airs vintage programming such as Alice, Who’s the Boss? and the recently acquired Drew Carey Show.

Michael Malone
Michael Malone

Michael Malone is content director at B+C and Multichannel News. He joined B+C in 2005 and has covered network programming, including entertainment, news and sports on broadcast, cable and streaming; and local broadcast television, including writing the "Local News Close-Up" market profiles. He also hosted the podcasts "Busted Pilot" and "Series Business." His journalism has also appeared in The New York Times, The L.A. Times, The Boston Globe and New York magazine.