FCC To Review Broadcast Ownership Rules

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has voted to advance its quadrennial review of broadcast ownership rules, launching a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to gather public comment on whether existing regulations remain necessary in today’s media landscape.

By law, the FCC must review certain broadcast ownership rules every four years to determine whether they continue to serve the public interest in light of competition and technological change. The agency began the current review in December 2022 with a Public Notice seeking input on whether the three major ownership rules should be retained, modified, or eliminated.

The NPRM will focus on the Local Radio Ownership Rule, which limits the number of stations one entity may own in a market, and the Local Television Rule, which restricts ownership of more than two TV stations in the same market. The Commission is asking whether these rules promote competition and local service or if they hinder broadcasters’ ability to adapt and remain viable.

The FCC is also seeking comment on the Dual Network Rule, which bars mergers among the four major broadcast networks. The review will consider whether the unique position of these networks in national programming and advertising continues to justify the restriction. The Commission’s action was adopted September 30, 2025 (FCC 25-64), with Chairman Carr and Commissioner Trusty approving and issuing separate statements.