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Federal Communications Commission Repeals TV Ownership Cap
The Federal Communications Commission voted 2‑1 to eliminate the 39 percent national television‑ownership cap that limited any company from reaching more than 39 percent of U.S. TV households.
Chairman Brendan Carr said the rule hindered local broadcasters and that its removal will let stations attract capital, boost advertising revenue, and improve local programming. Democratic commissioner Anna Gomez argued the FCC lacks authority to lift the cap and that only Congress can do so, calling the decision illegal.
The repeal follows an earlier FCC waiver that allowed Nexstar Media Group to acquire Tegna, a transaction that would give Nexstar coverage of roughly 80 percent of U.S. households. A federal judge has ordered the companies to keep assets separate while antitrust litigation proceeds.
Advocacy group Free Press and allied organizations announced plans to sue the FCC, asserting the repeal exceeds the agency’s legal authority and threatens competition, viewpoint diversity, and local news.
Entities
Anna Gomez · Brendan Carr · Federal Communications Commission · Nexstar Media Group · Tegna Inc.
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Nexstar Media Group received an FCC waiver to merge with Tegna, giving it access to about 80 percent of U.S. households. www.freepress.net · freerepublic.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The FCC voted 2‑1 to repeal the 39 percent national television‑ownership cap. www.aljazeera.com · www.freepress.net · freerepublic.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] FCC Chairman Brendan Carr said the change will help local broadcasters survive and attract capital. www.aljazeera.com · freerepublic.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Democratic commissioner Anna Gomez said the FCC lacks authority to lift the cap and that only Congress can do so. www.aljazeera.com · freerepublic.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] A federal judge ordered Nexstar and Tegna to keep assets separate pending antitrust litigation. www.freepress.net · freerepublic.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The cap limited any company from owning TV stations that reach more than 39 percent of U.S. TV households. www.aljazeera.com · www.freepress.net · freerepublic.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The repeal allows broadcasters to exceed the previous ownership limit on a case‑by‑case basis. www.aljazeera.com · www.freepress.net · freerepublic.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Free Press and allied groups plan to sue the FCC, claiming the repeal exceeds the agency’s legal authority. www.freepress.net