Critics say the 39 p.c cap was a safeguard in opposition to extreme focus of media possession within the US.
Printed On 6 Aug 2026
America Federal Communications Fee has voted to rescind the rule that bars native broadcast station homeowners from reaching greater than 39 p.c of the entire variety of US TV households in a transfer that might assist spark business consolidation.
The FCC on Thursday voted 2-1 to raise the cap in favour of a brand new case-by-case method. The fee’s sole Democrat, Anna Gomez, mentioned the proposal was unlawful and argued solely the US Congress can raise the cap. Many critics argue the transfer will result in extreme market energy amongst station homeowners.
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Beneath the principles, stations with weaker over-the-air alerts may be partially counted in opposition to an organization’s possession cap. The FCC has restricted possession of native broadcast stations since 1941 and most lately raised the cap to 39 p.c in 2004.
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr mentioned the transfer is about serving to native broadcasters survive and pointed to the sharp decline in native newspapers.
“We should always cease hamstringing this one section of the broader market with outdated restrictions,” Carr mentioned.
“The FCC saved a rule on the books within the identify of localism that contributed to the gutting of native newspapers … I don’t need native broadcast TV to go the way in which of native newspapers.”
The FCC mentioned the brand new rule would contemplate functions on tv firm mergers that may go above 39 p.c on a person foundation to find out if they’re within the public curiosity. The company mentioned it will “take away synthetic restrictions on alternatives for broadcast tv to draw capital and generate income”.
Gomez mentioned the choice is “an invite to usher in loads of transactions”.
‘Extra management’
Lifting the cap palms “extra management of the general public airwaves to a small variety of corporations whose protection pleases this administration … It’s placing its thumb on the dimensions in favour of content material that this administration likes,” she added.
Carr has mentioned the change would permit native tv homeowners to extend funding in native programming and provides them extra leverage in opposition to nationwide networks.
In March, the FCC permitted the $3.54bn sale of native tv station proprietor Tegna to Nexstar regardless of objections from Democratic-led states.
The acquisition, if not reversed by courts, will develop Nexstar’s presence to cowl 80 p.c of US TV households. The FCC has mentioned it was waiving the 39 p.c rule in approving the deal.
Senate Commerce Committee Chair Ted Cruz, a Republican, mentioned final month that he’s sceptical the FCC can hike the 39 p.c cap with out an act of Congress.
Clayton Weimers, govt director at Reporters With out Borders North America, mentioned in an announcement that with this newest transfer, the FCC has “deserted” one of many final vital safeguards in opposition to extreme focus of media possession within the US, which ensured that “no single firm or particular person ought to be allowed to dominate what tens of millions of Individuals see, hear, and perceive in regards to the world”.
“As we speak’s vote eliminates that safeguard and solely advantages a handful of already highly effective media conglomerates. This isn’t deregulation within the public curiosity. It’s consolidation within the curiosity of the highly effective,” Weimers mentioned.
He mentioned that the motion exceeds the FCC’s authorized authority and that Reporters With out Borders was evaluating each obtainable authorized avenue to problem this choice.
