The FCC voted 3-2 Friday to allow Tribune Company (NYSE: TRB) to transfer control of its radio and TV stations to Sam Zell et al, knocking aside the last major non-financial roadblock for the deal struck months ago to take the company private. With Democrats Jonathan Adelstein and Michael Copps dissenting, the Republicans, under a compromise proposed by FCC Chairman Kevin Martin earlier this week, agreed to grant temporary waivers in several markets and granted a permanent waiver in Chicago for the triad of Chicago Tribune, WGN(AM), and WGN-TV owned by the company before the existing newspaper/broadcast cross-ownership rule that otherwise would bar the combination. FCC release.

Tribune statement: “Tribune’s going-private transaction is expected to close by year end following satisfaction of the remaining closing conditions, including the receipt of a solvency opinion and completion of the committed financing.”