Media General, Inc. and LIN Media LLC have received approval from the Federal Communications Commission for the business combination they announced on March 21, 2014, and the companies are expected to close on the merger and associated divestitures on December 19, 2014. The FCC also approved the transfer of control of certain broadcast stations in connection with the divestitures that the companies announced on August 20, 2014.

Upon closing of the transaction, the combined company will retain the Media General name and remain headquartered in Richmond and Media General will become one of the largest pure-play broadcast companies in the country, with the largest and most diverse digital business. The combined company will own, operate or service 71 stations across 48 markets, reaching 27.5 million or 23% of U.S. television households. In addition to the websites associated with each TV station, Media General’s digital media portfolio will include LIN Digital, LIN Mobile, Dedicated Media, HYFN and Federated Media.