Nexstar Broadcasting's planned acquisition of two Binghamton television stations is being fought.

According to industry website TVNewsCheck, Time Warner Cable and the American Cable Association are challenging the proposed sale of WICZ and WBPN at the Federal Communications Commission.

In September, Nexstar announced it intended to buy the stations for just over $15 million. WICZ is Binghamton's Fox affiliate and WBPN is the local MyNetwork TV affiliate.

A petition filed with the FCC by Time Warner and the cable industry organization contended Nexstar would wind up with de facto control over three of the four major network stations in the Binghamton market.

Nexstar owns WIVT, the ABC affiliate. It also operates WBGH, which serves as the market's NBC outlet.

The opponents are suggesting retransmission fees would rise to "even more unreasonable levels" and increase the "impact of broadcast programming blackouts in Binghamton."

WIVT and WBGH operate from facilities on Ingraham Hill Road in the town of Binghamton. WICZ and WBPN offices and studios are on the Vestal Parkway East in Vestal.

Nexstar hasn't publicly announced what changes the sale would mean for the news and other operations of the local stations.

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