illnngr.ess nf tq.e lltnit.eb §tat.es llmusl1illgton, 1IlQ!: 20515 The Honorable Tom Wheeler Chairman Federal Communications Commission 445 lih Street, SW Washington, DC 20554 Dear Chairman Wheeler: March 20, 2013 It has recently come to our attention that Meredith Corporation and SagamoreHill Broadcasting LLC have applications pending at the FCC for the acquisitions of Phoenix television stations KTVK(TV) and KASW(TV). Attached please find a copy of a letter the delegation received regarding this matter. It is our understanding that there has not been any opposition registered to these acquisitions. We ask that these applications be given all due prompt consideration. Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. If our offices can be of any assistance through this process please do not hesitate to contact us . Sincerely, Senator Tom Harkin Representative Dave Loebsack PRINTE D ON RECYCLED PAPER VIA HAND DELIVERY The Honorable Charles Grassley 135 Hart Senate Office Building United States Senate Washington, DC 20510 The Honorable Bruce Braley 2263 Rayburn House Office Building United States House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515 The Honorable Tom Latham 2217 Rayburn House Office Building United States House ofRepresentatives Washington, DC 20515 March 20, 2014 The Honorable Tom Harkin 731 Hart Senate Office Building United States Senate Washington, DC 20510 The Honorable Dave Loebsack 1527 Longworth House Office Building United States House of Representatives Washington, DC 20515 The Honorable Steve King 221 0 Rayburn House Office Building United States House of Representatives Washington, DC 205 15 Re: Pending Sale of Phoenix Television Stations KTVK(TV) and KASW(TV) We are writing today about Meredith Corporation's ("Meredith") pending acquisition of Phoenix television station KTVK(TV) and the related acquisition ofKASW(TV) by SagamoreHill of Phoenix, LLC ("SagamoreHill"). The applications for approval ofthis transaction have been pending at the Federal Communications Commission (the "FCC") since December 31, 2013. The applications were not opposed by anyone, and Meredith and SagamoreHill are confident that approval of these transactions is in the public interest, convenience, and necessity. As you may know, the FCC only recently granted the assignment of KTVK and KASW to their current owner. The FCC approved that transaction over the objections of several public interest groups in December 2013. Meredith's acquisition ofKTVK(TV) and SagamoreHill's acquisition ofKASW(TV) would significantly de-consolidate the Phoenix television market by severing the existing relationship between KTVK(TV) and KASW(TV) on the one hand and Phoenix's (1) leading television station; (2) dominant daily newspaper; and (3) most popular Internet website on the other. The result will be strong independent stations that are well­ equipped to compete in the Phoenix market and improve service to viewers. Senators and Representatives March 20, 2014 Page 2 Meredith and SagamoreHill both are well-qualified to operate local television stations. Meredith has owned the Phoenix CBS affiliate, KPHO(TV), for more than 60 years and owns 12 other local TV stations. SagamoreHill will be a newcomer to Phoenix, but its affiliates have interests in TV stations in Montgomery, AL, Columbus, GA, Rochester, MN, and Corpus Christi, TX. Meredith and SagamoreHill also are committed to improving the quality and expanding the quantity of Phoenix-oriented programming on the stations. Meredith has promised to invest $4 million in a vastly improved local studio to which KASW will have access under a lease agreement. And both companies have pledged to play an even more active role in the Phoenix community through cooperation with local non-profit organizations and other outreach elforts. Meredith and SagamoreHill have negotiated cooperative agreements that will allow each to remain independent while realizing certain efliciencies associated with limited joint operations. These agreements comply with all existing FCC precedent and were designed in a good-faith belief that the agency would continue to apply that precedent in a fair and even­ handed manner. Meredith understands that the FCC has to do its job and conduct a thorough review of this transaction before granting approval. That is why Meredith and SagamoreHill have had several conversations with the Media Bureau staff and have amended their applications in response to requests from the staff. Nonetheless, ongoing undue delay causes uncertainty for Meredith and SagamoreHill, as well as the many employees affected by the sale of these stations. Both stations already have experienced employee defections since the sales to Meredith and SagamoreHill were announced. Such uncertainty will only lead to delays in improvements to the stations' public service that cannot take place until FCC approvals are obtained. In view of the foregoing, we ask that you contact the FCC and encourage them to complete their review of this matter in a fair and timely manner. Thank you for your consideration of our thoughts on this important matter. Sincerely, John z~ ~ :hY-- Chief Development Officer, General Counsel Meredith Corporation 4 1 J i'J(.tA5 L&) t'ouisWall~ President SagamorcHill of Phoenix, LLC