Access Humboldt joined a legal challenge to the FCC's rule change that allowed Sinclair to purchase local stations owned by Bonten - including four TV stations in the Eureka designated market area (Eureka DMA) and four TV stations in the Redding market among others.
Free Press and other public interest groups challenged the FCC's reinstatement of the antiquated "UHF discount" rule that allowed Sinclair Broadcasting to acquire Bonten, and potentially more stations owned by Tribune.