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FCC Eases TV Ownership Limits in 2-1 Vote
The commission said waivers could be granted when larger station deals serve the public interest, including support for local journalism and viewpoint diversity.
- The Federal Communications Commission voted 2-1 on Thursday to eliminate its 39% national TV ownership cap, allowing companies to own local stations reaching more than 39% of U.S. households and multiple outlets in a single market.
- FCC Chairman Brendan Carr championed the measure to help broadcasters compete against streaming services, which now account for more than 40% of all viewing and have eroded traditional TV revenue and carriage fees.
- Anna Gomez, the lone Democrat on the commission, opposed the change, arguing it "just changes who is doing the squeezing" by empowering large station groups rather than solving economic pressures facing local broadcasters.
- Even Trump-supporting Republicans have raised concerns about the FCC's broad discretionary power under Carr, warning the agency's case-by-case review process could invite second-guessing and legal challenges over content decisions.
- Legal challenges loom as attorneys general earlier this year sued to block Nexstar Media Group's $6.2-billion acquisition of Tegna, signaling future consolidation deals will face intense antitrust scrutiny despite the FCC's rule change.
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63 Articles
Coverage Details
Total News Sources63
Leaning Left14Leaning Right1Center43Last UpdatedBias Distribution74% Center
Bias Distribution
- 74% of the sources are Center
74% Center
L 24%
C 74%
Factuality
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