Politically conservative broadcaster Sinclair Broadcasting is still being left out in the cold.
Sinclair, which suffered a blow in July when federal regulators stopped its proposed $6.6 billion acquisition of Tribune Media, has been quietly speaking to buyout firms, including Apollo Global Management, about teaming on a new bid for the Chicago-based rival, The Post has learned.
“Sinclair is trying to get a deal with private equity firms,” a source said.
But so far, the largest local television station owner continues to be shut out of the high-stakes media consolidation game and hasn’t been successful in shaping a buyout-backed offer, two sources said.
The Federal Communications Commission, when reviewing Sinclair’s proposed Tribune deal, said it had serious concerns about Sinclair’s transparency — and private equity players are concerned regulars may be reluctant to clear any Sinclair merger, sources added.
Sinclair, meanwhile, has also been interested in buying 21st Century Fox’s regional sports networks that are being sold as a condition of the Disney sale. Buying the RSNs does not require FCC approval.
But the New York Yankees are going to buy the YES Network, taking the most highly prized RSN off the table.
Sinclair did not return calls, and Apollo declined to comment.