Local Tv And Radio Stations Plead For Fcc To Update Outdated Ownership

WASHINGTON (TNND) — Seventy-three members of Congress endorsed a letter sent to Commissioner Brendan Carr of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that urges the official to change ownership rules for broadcasters. The lawmakers, which include 70 Republicans and three Democrats, asked Carr to eliminate what they called antiquated ownership restrictions and to “embrace a broadcast regulatory framework that reflects the realities of today’s dynamic media... The FCC sets limits on the number of television and radio broadcast stations an entity can own. They urge the FCC to act swiftly in eliminating antiquated ownership restrictions and to embrace a broadcast regulatory framework that reflects the realities of today's dynamic media ecosystem. 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 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...

69 Republicans and 4 Democrats signed a letter saying outdated ownership rules hinder broadcasters nationwide 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 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.

The letter argued that existing broadcast ownership regulations that originated in the 1940s are badly in need of being modernized. A bipartisan group of 73 members of the U.S. House of Representatives led by Rep. Richard Hudson are calling on the FCC for immediate action to update outdated ownership regulations that, they say,, hurt local TV and radio stations. The lawmakers sent a letter to FCC chairman Brendan Carr asking for rule changes so local broadcasters can compete against what they say are “unregulated Big Tech platforms.” “Reforming outdated ownership rules is essential to ensuring that broadcasters remain viable, competitive, and capable of fulfilling their essential role in American democracy,” the letter said.

“By modernizing these regulations, the FCC can empower broadcasters to better serve their communities, promote local journalism, and compete in the modern media marketplace. Updating these rules is not just an urgent economic necessity, it is a public service imperative.” “We urge the FCC to act swiftly in eliminating antiquated ownership restrictions and to embrace a broadcast regulatory framework that reflects the realities of today’s dynamic media ecosystem.” “America’s local TV and radio stations are facing a radically transformed media landscape where global tech giants operate without restriction while local stations remain shackled by decades-old rules,” said NAB president and CEO Curtis... “NAB is grateful to Rep. Hudson and his bipartisan colleagues for urging the FCC to bring its ownership regulations into the modern era.

Quickly updating these rules is essential to preserving local journalism, strengthening public safety and ensuring that broadcasters can continue to serve the communities that rely on them every day.” EXCLUSIVE — Myriad conservative groups are calling on Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr to reform the agency’s “antiquated and harmful” rules governing local TV and radio broadcasters. The letter, led by Heritage Action, is signed by leaders from the National Taxpayers Union, Americans for Tax Reform, Bull Moose Project, the James Madison Institute, and others. The FCC states that “there is no limit on the number of television stations a single entity may own nationwide as long as the station group collectively reaches no more than 39 percent of... TV households.” The groups argue the repeal of that 39% national television cap is necessary to allow local broadcasters to compete in an evolving media environment. “Americans across the political spectrum agree that burdensome, arbitrary regulations are limiting local TV and radio stations’ ability to compete with Big Tech in the modern media landscape,” National Association of Broadcasters President and...

“We are grateful for the wide-ranging support to modernize these outdated broadcast ownership rules and echo the call for the FCC to level the playing field so local broadcasters can provide the most-trusted news,... “While these rules may have served the public interest in last century’s marketplace, they have long since become antiquated and harmful by stifling investment and innovation in broadcasting,” the groups wrote. “We encourage the Commission to expeditiously repeal these regulations, specifically the 39% national television cap, local TV duopoly rules, and local radio ownership caps.” Save this article for later! Login or create a Free Member Profile to bookmark it. Signatories urge the FCC to act swiftly to update outdated regulations.

A bipartisan group of 73 members of the U.S. House of Representatives led by Rep. Richard Hudson (R-N.C.) today sent a letter to the Federal Communications Commission calling for immediate action to update outdated ownership regulations that hurt local TV and radio stations. The lawmakers emphasized the need for rules that reflect today’s competitive media landscape, where local broadcasters face unprecedented challenges competing with unregulated Big Tech platforms. “America’s local TV and radio stations are facing a radically transformed media landscape where global tech giants operate without restriction while local stations remain shackled by decades-old rules,” said NAB President-CEO Curtis LeGeyt. “NAB is grateful to Rep.

Hudson and his bipartisan colleagues for urging the FCC to bring its ownership regulations into the modern era. Quickly updating these rules is essential to preserving local journalism, strengthening public safety and ensuring that broadcasters can continue to serve the communities that rely on them every day.” “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. Updating these rules is not just an urgent economic necessity, it is a public service imperative.

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