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Nab Backs Fcc Deregulation But Seeks To Preserve Some Rules

Leo Migdal
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nab backs fcc deregulation but seeks to preserve some rules

FCC Chair Brendan Carr said nothing is off the table as part of his deregulatory initiative titled “Delete, Delete, Delete.” And judging by the comments filed, broadcasters had plenty of ideas of where they’d... But some rules are better left in place, says the National Association of Broadcasters. It’s urging the FCC to reject a series of proposed changes that it says could disrupt the broadcast landscape and harm localism and service reliability. In newly filed comments, NAB opposes several initiatives advanced by low-power FM advocates, including proposals to allow LPFM stations to run commercial advertising and to boost their maximum power from 100 watts to 250... NAB argued that permitting LPFM stations to air commercials would fundamentally alter their noncommercial mission, originally envisioned by the FCC to meet hyper-local needs unmet by traditional broadcasters. “Airing ads would shift LPFM operators’ incentives away from serving small, diverse communities,” NAB said, warning it would erode the unique role LPFM stations play.

“The airing of ads would change the incentives of LPFM operators, and in turn, potentially reduce the type of hyper-local programming that LPFM is intended to provide,” it said. Similarly, NAB criticized proposals to create a new 250-watt LPFM service class, noting that Congress specifically capped LPFM power levels in the Local Community Radio Act to protect existing FM services from interference. NAB also cited technical concerns, warning that raising LPFM power would overcrowd an already congested FM band and jeopardize FM translators, which are vital for AM broadcasters’ survival. “Allowing LPFM stations to dramatically increase power would undermine the careful balance that Congress struck between promoting opportunities for LPFM stations and protecting other FM services from interference,” it said. Broadcasters, cable, and wireless groups have extensive wish lists for the FCC’s ‘Delete, Delete, Delete’ initiative. WASHINGTON, March 14, 2025 – FCC Chairman Brendan Carr's sweeping deregulatory effort, known as ‘Delete, Delete, Delete’, has elicited varied responses from industry stakeholders since it was announced Wednesday.

One of the first groups to publicly back the initiative was the National Association of Broadcasters, applauding Carr’s deep dive into expelling FCC’s rules and regulations that “no longer serve any meaningful public interest... Among NAB’s top priorities for deregulation: The national TV ownership cap, which currently prevents a single broadcaster from reaching more than 39% of U.S. households; and, local radio and TV station ownership rules, which limit how many stations a single company can own in a given market. Those “must be reformed as soon as possible,” NAB spokesman Alex Siciliano told Broadband Breakfast. Advocacy group says some of the FCC's broadcast rules should be preserved In recent weeks, the Federal Communication Commission’s inbox has been flooded with suggestions from broadcasters and others about how the agency can weed out what many are calling “antiquated” rules.

Earlier this April, in an 80-page filing, the National Association of Broadcasters urged the FCC to seize the moment and fundamentally modernize its regulatory framework, beginning with reforms to the national television ownership cap... But in newly-filed reply comments, the NAB adds that some rules are better left in place lest the agency harm localism and service reliability. As part of its “Delete, Delete, Delete” initiative, the FCC has encouraged comment asking the public to identify FCC rules that are better taken to the chopping block … and comment broadcasters did. Some FCC rules targeted for the deregulatory ax under the agency's "Delete, Delete, Delete" proceeding were defended in reply comments, according to filings this week in docket 25-133, where replies were due Monday. The proceeding saw legions of initial commenters... Trade group rebuts pay-TV operator proposal to reduce blackouts by changing rules governing retransmission consent, carriage negotiations

In recent weeks, the Federal Communication Commission’s inbox has been flooded with suggestions from broadcasters and others about how the agency can weed out what many are calling “antiquated” rules. Earlier this April, in an 80-page filing, the National Association of Broadcasters urged the FCC to seize the moment and fundamentally modernize its regulatory framework, beginning with reforms to the national television ownership cap... FCC Chair Brendan Carr’s “Delete, Delete, Delete” initiative has drawn plenty of ideas from broadcasters supporting the elimination of outdated rules. They broadly support scrapping outdated rules, including public file requirements and EEO audits, but the National Association of Broadcasters… To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium FCC Chairman Brendan Carr asked for ideas to cut outdated broadcast regulations – and the NAB has now given him plenty to work with.

In an 80-page filing backed by a 60-page appendix, the NAB delivered a sweeping blueprint for deregulation under Carr’s “Delete, Delete, Delete” initiative, targeting everything from local ownership caps to Equal Employment Opportunity requirements. “This is a moment for bold ideas, and NAB is proud to lead the charge,” said NAB President and CEO Curtis LeGeyt. “The FCC’s rules should reflect today’s media landscape, not one from decades past. Our filing lays out a clear, actionable path to modernize regulations and empower local radio and TV stations to better serve their communities. We appreciate the Commission, especially Chairman Carr, for launching this important effort. Reforming outdated ownership rules is the essential first step to strengthening local journalism and ensuring broadcasters can continue to survive.”

At the top of NAB’s list is a demand to abolish local broadcast ownership rules that restrict how many radio and television stations a company can own in a single market. NAB argues that these caps were created in the analog era and have no place in today’s vastly expanded media environment. “No broadcast regulations are more devastating to the viability and future vitality of TV and radio broadcasters than the national TV ownership restriction and the local radio and TV ownership rules,” NAB wrote. Deletion of the ownership caps is viewed as a non-negotiable for NAB, saying on page 14, “Despite the insightful ideas that follow… THE FCC SHOULD NOT PROCEED UNTIL IT ELIMINATES THE NATIONAL TV AUDIENCE... As for those other ideas, in tandem with ownership deregulation, NAB is urging the FCC to modernize or scrap the Online Public Inspection File rules, describing them as outdated and disproportionately burdensome for broadcasters,... The National Association of Broadcasters has submitted extensive reply comments in the Federal Communications Commission’s “Delete, Delete, Delete” proceeding, presenting a case for significant regulatory relief for radio and television broadcasters facing increasingly intense...

NAB’s filing emphasizes the sheer volume of regulations burdening broadcasters compared to their competitors. Part 73 of the FCC’s rules, which governs broadcasting, spans 423 pages – more than any other regulated communications service and more than double the regulations for cable and satellite providers under Part 76. FCC’s Carr signals tougher broadcast regulation incoming with focus on empowering local stations “The rules governing broadcasting are not only excessive, but they are also obsolete and counterproductive,” NAB argued in its filing. “They discourage investment, hinder innovation, and place broadcasters at a structural disadvantage.” A significant portion of NAB’s reply comments focuses on opposing what it characterizes as “tired, retrograde, rent-seeking proposals” from the pay TV industry and music industry interests.

Today, NAB urged the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to eliminate its cap on the percentage of Americans any one broadcast group can serve. Only broadcasters are limited in how many U.S. households they can serve – no other medium is subject to this arcane rule. The process to reconsider the rule was initiated under FCC Chairman Ajit Pai in 2017, yet the Commission has not acted despite the rise of nationwide and global streamers as well as the increasing... Outdated rules prevent local TV broadcasters from owning stations across the country that, combined, have the potential to reach more than 39% of U.S. television households, regardless of actual viewers.

In contrast, Big Tech platforms, cable TV and streaming services, such as Amazon, Netflix and YouTube, are not subject to any constraints. They can reach 100% of national audiences in addition to their global reach. An increasing number of Americans report regularly getting their news from social media sites such as Facebook (30%) and TikTok (17%, including nearly 40% of adults under 30), and these numbers are only projected... Broadcasters invest in local journalism to provide Americans’ most trusted news. As misinformation flourishes, this service is increasingly vital. But as a result of out-of-date FCC restrictions on local broadcasters, Big Tech has even more control over what Americans get to see and hear.

The National Association of Broadcasters says it filed comprehensive comments with the Federal Communications Commission in response to the agency’s call for public input under its “Delete, Delete, Delete” initiative. NAB says its filing “urges the FCC to seize this moment to fundamentally modernize its regulatory framework, beginning with long-overdue reforms to the national television ownership cap and the local radio and TV ownership... NAB president and CEO Curtis LeGeyt states, “This is a moment for bold ideas, and NAB is proud to lead the charge. The FCC’s rules should reflect today’s media landscape, not one from decades past. Our filing lays out a clear, actionable path to modernize regulations and empower local radio and TV stations to better serve their communities. We appreciate the Commission, especially Chairman Carr, for launching this important effort.

Reforming outdated ownership rules is the essential first step to strengthening local journalism and ensuring broadcasters can continue to survive.” See the entire filing here. The Federal Communications Commission has closed 2,048 inactive proceedings, the largest number of dormant dockets ever terminated in a single proceeding. But a few radio-related items that it had originally planned to end will instead remain open. That includes proceedings focused on the long-term future of AM radio and whether FM translators can originate programming. As the Federal Communications Commission finally begins the overdue 2022 quadrennial review. Rick Kaplan, Chief Legal Officer at the National Association of Broadcasters, believes radio — not TV — is at the “front of the line” for modernization.

“No one’s facing more pressure financially than radio,”... A bombshell came crashing into the White House health narrative Monday when longtime cardiologist Jonathan Reiner publicly rejected the official spin on President Trump’s recent MRI, calling the explanation “laughable” and suggesting the whole... Many of us dismiss a rash as “just allergies,” “just dry skin,” or “probably nothing.”. But doctors warn there is one rash that can turn deadly in hours, not days — and Americans rarely recognize it until it’s too late. A terrifying new synthetic drug mixture is showing up in U.S. emergency rooms—and doctors say it’s hitting faster and harder than anything in recent years.

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