NAB Urges FCC to Scrap Outdated Local Ownership Caps

The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has filed reply comments with the Federal Communications Commission urging the agency to modernize local radio and television ownership rules it says no longer reflect today’s media marketplace.

In its filing in the FCC’s 2022 Quadrennial Regulatory Review, NAB argues that local broadcasters remain constrained by ownership limits crafted nearly a century ago, even as they compete against digital platforms and Big Tech companies that face no comparable restrictions. According to NAB, the current rules artificially limit broadcasters’ ability to grow, invest in local operations, and effectively serve their communities.

NAB contends that the record in the proceeding provides no credible justification for retaining local radio and TV ownership caps, noting that opponents of reform rely on outdated data and legal arguments that fail to account for the modern competitive landscape. The association also points out that the FCC already reviews broadcast transactions to determine whether license transfers serve the public interest, making blanket ownership caps unnecessary and inflexible across widely varying local markets.

The filing further argues that eliminating these restrictions would better position local broadcasters to compete with dominant digital platforms while continuing to deliver diverse, community-focused programming. NAB is urging the Commission to act swiftly, warning that continued delay in updating the rules threatens the long-term vitality of local radio and television stations.