FCC moves to scrap outdated national TV ownership limit

A long-standing federal restriction that prevents broadcast groups from covering over 39% of U.S. households is slated for removal by the Federal Communications Commission. The rule, devised when viewers had few channels and no streaming options, now appears out of step with a market dominated by services such as YouTube, Netflix, TikTok and social media platforms. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr pushed the agency to adopt an order repealing the cap, contending that it unfairly limits broadcasters while allowing tech conglomerates to operate without comparable constraints.

The move follows recent refusals by major networks to broadcast President Donald Trump’s address on foreign election meddling, highlighting tensions between traditional media and coastal-based elites. Carr argues that eliminating the cap will not give broadcasters a free ride but will simply remove a government-imposed handicap, forcing them to compete on content and audience appeal. While the change will not solve all challenges facing local TV, it aims to modernize rules that have lingered from a bygone era.