The FCC's inspector general will probe whether the agency's chairman, Ajit Pai, was biased in favor of Sinclair Broadcast Group (SBGI +1.1%) -- pursuing a $3.9B acquisition of Tribune Media (TRCO -0.2%) -- in setting rules, according to Rep. Frank Pallone.

Pallone, a Democrat, had asked the IG to investigate the pursuit of changes to ownership regulations that would clear the decks for Sinclair's acquisition, pointing also to a media report that the Trump campaign had struck a deal with the conservative-leaning Sinclair for favorable coverage.

Pallone also says a rule change on digital TV standards could benefit Sinclair to the tune of "billions of dollars in licensing fees" due to patent holdings.

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