17 Jul Tribune Media Company Responds to Recent Regulatory Developments
NEW YORK, July 17, 2018—Tribune Media Company (the “Company”) (NYSE: TRCO) announced today that it is studying the July 16, 2018 statement by Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) Chairman Ajit Pai regarding the Company’s pending acquisition by Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. (“Sinclair”), and issued the following statement:
“Tribune Media was disappointed to learn that the Chairman had circulated an order designating certain issues for consideration by an Administrative Law Judge. It will review the FCC’s hearing designation order when released and expects to work with the FCC to explore ways to address the concerns identified. Until we have reviewed the order it is difficult to explain the potential issues it might create for the transaction. Fortunately, Tribune’s operations have been strong in 2018 and our team has done a terrific job of maximizing the value of the business through this extended regulatory approval process.”
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Tribune Media Company (NYSE: TRCO) is home to a diverse portfolio of television and digital properties driven by quality news, entertainment and sports programming. Tribune Media is comprised of Tribune Broadcasting’s 42 owned or operated local television stations reaching approximately 50 million households, national entertainment cable network WGN America, whose reach is more than 77 million households, and a variety of digital applications and websites commanding 54 million monthly unique visitors online. Tribune Media also includes Chicago’s WGN-AM and the national multicast networks Antenna TV and THIS TV. Additionally, the Company owns and manages a significant number of real estate properties across the U.S. and holds a variety of investments, including a 31% interest in Television Food Network, G.P., which operates Food Network and Cooking Channel. For more information please visit www.tribunemedia.com.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which may be beyond our control. Forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, the anticipated merger with Sinclair and the related regulatory process. Important factors that could cause actual results, developments and business decisions to differ materially from these forward-looking statements are uncertainties discussed below and in the “Risk Factors” section of the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). “Forward-looking statements” include all statements that do not relate solely to historical or current facts, and can be identified by the use of words such as “may,” “might,” “will,” “could” “should,” “estimate,” “project,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “intend,” “outlook,” “seek,” “designed,” “assume,” “implied,” “believe” and other similar expressions. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. These forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and subject to a number of risks and uncertainties.
The following list represents some, but not necessarily all, of the factors that could cause actual results to differ from these forward-looking statements: risks associated with the ability to consummate the merger with Sinclair and the timing of the closing of the merger, the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the Merger Agreement; the risk that the regulatory approvals for the proposed merger with Sinclair may be delayed, not be obtained or may be obtained subject to conditions that are not anticipated; risks related to the disruption of management time from ongoing business operations due to the merger and the restrictions imposed on the Company’s operations under the terms of the Merger Agreement; the effect of the announcement of the merger on our ability to retain and hire key personnel, on our ability to maintain relationships with advertisers and customers, and on our operating results and businesses generally; litigation in connection with the merger; the factors discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” of the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission; and other events beyond our control that may result in unexpected results. In addition, in light of these risks and uncertainties, the matters referred to in the forward-looking statements contained in this press release may not in fact occur. Any forward-looking information presented herein is made only as of the date of this press release and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law.
Media Contact:
Gary Weitman
SVP/Corporate Relations
312-222-3394 (office)
gweitman@tribunemedia.com
Investor Contact:
Jamie Arestia
Director/Investor Relations
646-563-8296
jarestia@tribunemedia.com