Comment on FCC chairman has ‘serious concerns’ about Sinclair-Tribune merger, could seek to block deal

WASHINGTON — Sinclair Broadcasting’s bid to create a conservative television giant appeared to be in doubt on Monday after federal regulators highlighted “serious concerns” with the proposed acquisition of Tribune Media, which seeks to push the boundaries of control of the U.S. broadcast market. The chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, Ajit Pai, said that he intends to send key parts of the $3.9 billion deal to be reviewed by an administrative law judge, which is typically the first step the FCC takes when it seeks to block a deal.