Changes Made by the FCC Would Enable Capitol to Purchase WB and FOX

Over the last three years, Capitol has managed two stations (WRAZ in Raleigh, NC and WFVT in Charlotte, NC) under what is referred to as a Limited Marketing Agreement. This agreement allowed broadcasters to operate more than one station in a Designated Market Area (DMA), while owning more than one station was not permitted.

The FCC made several changes to the current ownership rules. One of these would, "Permit common ownership of two television stations within the same DMA if eight full-power independent television stations (commercial and noncommercial) will remain post-merger, and one of the stations is not among the top four-ranked stations in the market based on audience share".

With this August 5 revision of the television ownership rules, Capitol could soon exercise its option to purchase Charlotte's Warner Bros. (WB) affiliate WFVT-TV. However, plans to purchase Raleigh's Fox affiliate, WRAZ-TV, may have to wait a little longer. In February, FOX 50 ranked fifth in market share for the Raleigh area; however, a new report may place FOX at the number 4 position, which would hinder the sale to CBC under the new ruling.