Bipartisan Push To Update Fcc Broadcast Ownership Rules

In a significant move that could reshape the landscape of local television in the United States, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has initiated a process to overhaul the rules governing ownership of local ABC,... The agency announced it will consider a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking as part of its quadrennial regulatory review, aiming to modernize regulations that dictate who can own these influential broadcast outlets. The FCC is seeking public input on whether the current rules should be retained, modified, or entirely eliminated, citing the rapidly evolving media marketplace as a driving factor behind the review. The existing broadcast ownership rules, established decades ago, were designed to promote competition, diversity of voices, and localism in media. They place limits on how many stations a single entity can own in a given market and restrict cross-ownership of television stations, radio stations, and newspapers. However, the media landscape has undergone dramatic changes in recent years, with the rise of streaming services, social media platforms, and digital news outlets challenging the dominance of traditional broadcast television.

The FCC’s review acknowledges that these shifts may have rendered some of the current restrictions outdated or overly restrictive, potentially stifling innovation and investment in local broadcasting. The proposed rulemaking will evaluate whether loosening ownership caps could allow broadcasters to better compete with tech giants and streaming platforms that face fewer regulatory constraints. For instance, relaxing rules could enable companies to own multiple stations in a single market, potentially leading to cost efficiencies and greater investment in local programming. However, such changes could also raise concerns about media consolidation, potentially reducing the diversity of viewpoints and giving a handful of large corporations greater control over local news and information. The FCC’s review will also consider the impact on smaller broadcasters and underserved communities. Current rules aim to ensure that minority-owned and independent stations have opportunities to thrive, but critics argue that outdated regulations may inadvertently favor larger conglomerates.

The agency is expected to examine whether modernizing the rules could foster greater inclusivity or, conversely, exacerbate existing inequities in the industry. Public comment will play a critical role in shaping the outcome of this review. The FCC has emphasized that it wants input from a wide range of stakeholders, including broadcasters, advocacy groups, and viewers, to ensure any changes reflect the public interest. The agency has not set a timeline for finalizing new rules, but the process is expected to spark heated debate as stakeholders weigh the balance between competition, innovation, and preserving local voices in an... WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S.

Representative Richard Hudson (R-NC), who serves as the Chairman of the Communications and Technology Subcommittee on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, led over 50 of his colleagues in a bipartisan letter to Federal... The lawmakers wrote,"While the FCC has made incremental adjustments over the decades, the fundamental ownership restrictions have remained largely unchanged since the 1990s, imposing undue constraints on broadcasters’ ability to innovate and invest in... "Today, any one of the largest Big Tech platforms dwarfs the entire broadcast industry – yet they are held to no similar limitations on their reach," the lawmakers continued. "This imbalance places broadcasters at a severe disadvantage in competing for advertising dollars and audience engagement." "Reforming outdated ownership rules is essential to ensuring that broadcasters remain viable, competitive, and capable of fulfilling their essential role in American democracy. By modernizing these regulations, the FCC can empower broadcasters to better serve their communities, promote local journalism, and compete in the modern media marketplace," the lawmakers concluded.

Read the full letter here and an exclusive story in Politico here. Local broadcasters keep you connected and informed. Learn about how we serve Americans every day, the economic impact we have on local communities, read stories of broadcasters' public service and more. Local television and radio stations played an indispensable role in 2024 connecting communities to trusted journalism and verified information during an election year. Take a look back at all that we accomplished together in 2024. Questions?

NAB members can call our free Legal Hotline to learn more about legislation, filings and updates from Washington. Call: (866) 682-0276 Email: legal@nab.org Join our team of broadcast advocates. When legislative issues arise that could impact your station and career, we'll reach out and give you simple steps to contact your legislators. Sign Up Today 69 Republicans and 4 Democrats signed a letter saying “outdated ownership rules…hinder broadcasters nationwide”

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. WASHINGTON—A large group of 73 members of the U.S. House of Representatives led by Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC) has sent a letter to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) calling for immediate action to update what the lawmakers are calling "outdated ownership regulations" that hurt local TV and radio stations. The House members backing the letter emphasized the need for rules that reflect today’s competitive media landscape, where local broadcasters face unprecedented challenges competing with less-regulated Big Tech platforms.

The letter was signed by members of both parties but signatories were heavily skewed towards Republicans, with 69 Republican members of the House and only 4 Democratic Party members signing the letter. A bipartisan group of 73 U.S. House members is appealing to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr to “modernize outdated ownership rules that hinder broadcasters nationwide.” The letter says, in part, “While the FCC has made incremental adjustments over the... These regulations are a relic of an era when broadcasters were the only electronic media. Today, any one of the largest Big Tech platforms dwarfs the entire broadcast industry – yet they are held to no similar limitations on their reach. This imbalance places broadcasters at a severe disadvantage in competing for advertising dollars and audience engagement… We urge the FCC to act swiftly in eliminating antiquated ownership restrictions and to embrace a broadcast regulatory...

A bipartisan coalition of 22 U.S. Senators is urging the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to update its broadcast ownership regulations, citing an urgent need to align outdated rules with the realities of today’s digital media landscape. In a letter dated May 6 addressed to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, the lawmakers called on the agency to reform policies that they argue are preventing local broadcasters from remaining competitive in an industry... Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required. yesSubscribe to our daily newsletter, PYMNTS Today. By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and to the sharing of your information with our sponsor, if applicable, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.

Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Seventy-three members of the U.S. House of Representatives are urging the Federal Communications Commission to modernize broadcast ownership regulations, describing the current rules as outdated and harmful to local television and radio broadcasters. In a letter led by Rep. Richard Hudson (R-N.C.), the bipartisan group of lawmakers called on FCC Chairman Brendan Carr to initiate immediate regulatory reform. The National Association of Broadcasters distributed the letter on Monday.

The legislators argued that ownership limits, which originated in the 1940s and have seen minimal change since the 1990s, no longer reflect the realities of the current media environment. “While the FCC has made incremental adjustments over the decades, the fundamental ownership restrictions have remained largely unchanged,” the letter stated. According to the lawmakers, the rules hinder local broadcasters’ ability to expand, innovate, and invest in journalism. “When broadcasters cannot combine or expand operations, they struggle to maintain sufficient newsroom staff and invest in journalism,” they wrote. “This increasing lack of access to local information leaves communities vulnerable to misinformation from unverified sources on social media.” The broadcast television industry knows it needs to consolidate.

It's just struggling with how to do it. In August, Nexstar Media Group, the largest owner of broadcast stations in the U.S., announced a proposed $6.2 billion deal to buy Tegna — a combination that would bring together more than 260 stations... Last week, Sinclair, the owner of 179 local TV affiliates, made a hostile offer to acquire its smaller peer E.W. Scripps after buying up nearly 10% of the company on the open market. Both potential deals remain in limbo, and executives are getting antsy. Companies like Sinclair and Nexstar run the affiliate stations of the major networks across the U.S.

known for local news, sports and other broadcast content. They face the same headwinds as their cable and content studio counterparts — the shrinking number of pay-TV customers due to the rise of streaming and tech options.

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