FCC considers repealing longstanding TV broadcast ownership cap

The Federal Communications Commission is set to vote on Aug. 6 on whether to repeal a long-standing TV broadcast ownership cap. Current rules prevent any company from reaching more than 39% of U.S. households, a limit created to foster competition and avoid monopolization of airwaves. FCC Chair Brendan Carr said broadcasters increasingly compete with many content providers, not just other stations, and argued the rule limits them to competing for only 39% of their markets. Under the proposed changes, the FCC would also gain authority to review merger deals case-by-case. The expected decision is likely to face court challenges. The debate comes as Tegna and Nexstar pursue a merger, while a coalition of state attorneys general sued in April, including New York AG Letitia James, who warned the deal could reduce competition, raise prices, and lower programming quality.