On March 21, 2014, LIN Media entered into an agreement to merge with Media General in a $1.6 billion deal. Because Media General already owned NBC affiliate WJAR and the two stations ranked as the two highest-rated stations in the Providence market in total day viewership, the companies were required to sell either WJAR or WPRI-TV to another station owner to comply with FCC ownership rules as well as planned changes to those rules regarding same-market television stations which would prohibit sharing agreements; the LMA involving WNAC would be included in the sale.TV Station Mega Merger: Media General, LIN Set $1.6 Billion Deal from Variety (March 21, 2014)Media General acquiring LIN Media for $1.6 billion, Los Angeles Times, March 21, 2014.Media Gen/LIN To Sell/Swap In Five Markets, TVNewsCheck, March 21, 2014. On August 20, 2014, Media General announced that it would keep WPRI and the LMA with WNAC and sell WJAR to Sinclair Broadcast Group, even though WJAR had higher ratings. The merger was completed on December 19, 2014.Media General Completes Merger With LIN Media , Press Release, Media General, Retrieved December 19, 2014
