# US FCC removes TV ownership cap, faces lawsuits > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/us-fcc-broadcast-ownership-cap-reforms > Updated: 2026-08-06T18:38:14.000Z. Sources: 35. Developments: 5. In mid‑July 2026 the FCC announced it would replace the 39 percent national television‑ownership ceiling with a case‑by‑case public‑interest review. After meetings with broadcasters and the National Association of Broadcasters, the commission scheduled a vote for early August. On August 6, 2026 the FCC voted 2‑1 to rescind the cap. Chair Brendan Carr argued the change would help local stations compete with streaming services, while Democratic Commissioner Anna Gómez voted against it, calling the repeal illegal and saying only Congress can alter the statutory limit. The decision is expected to speed consolidation; the FCC had already waived the cap in March to approve Nexstar’s $3.54 billion purchase of Tegna, which would give Nexstar coverage of about 80 percent of U.S. TV households. Critics warned the repeal could concentrate market power and erode localism and viewpoint diversity. Industry groups, including Sinclair and the Multicultural Media, Telecom and Internet Council, issued opposing statements, reflecting a partisan split over the rule’s removal. A federal judge later ordered Nexstar and Tegna to keep their assets separate while antitrust litigation proceeds, and advocacy organization Free Press announced plans to sue the FCC, arguing the agency exceeded its authority and jeopardized competition and local news. ## Claims - The FCC voted 2‑1 to rescind the 39 % national TV ownership cap. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The cap limited any company from owning TV stations that reach more than 39 percent of U.S. TV households. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The repeal allows broadcasters to exceed the previous ownership limit on a case‑by‑case basis. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The vote took place on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026. (corroborated by 2 sources) - FCC Chair Brendan Carr said the change is intended to help local broadcasters survive. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Democratic Commissioner Anna Gomez voted against the repeal and called it illegal, saying only Congress can change the cap. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The FCC waived the cap to approve Nexstar’s $3.54 billion purchase of Tegna, which would give Nexstar coverage of about 80 percent of U.S. TV households. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Critics argue the repeal could lead to excessive market power among station owners and undermine localism and viewpoint diversity. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The FCC has limited broadcast‑station ownership since 1941 and raised the national cap to 39 % in 2004. (corroborated by 2 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-06: Federal Communications Commission Repeals TV Ownership Cap The FCC voted 2‑1 to scrap the 39 % national TV‑ownership cap, a move backed by Chairman Brendan Carr and opposed by Democrat Anna Gomez, after a prior waiver let Nexstar acquire Tegna; Free Press plans legal‑c 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/federal-communications-commission-repeals-tv-ownership-cap ### 2026-08-04: FCC Removes 39% National TV Ownership Cap The FCC voted 2‑1 to scrap the 39 % TV ownership cap, replacing it with case‑by‑case reviews, a move praised by broadcasters but opposed by Democrat Anna Gomez and critics who fear increased consolidation. 17 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/fcc-set-to-vote-on-eliminating-us-tv-ownership-cap ### 2026-07-28: National Association of Broadcasters pushes FCC to ease TV and radio ownership caps NAB leaders met FCC Commissioner Olivia Trusty to seek flexible TV ownership rules and to overhaul radio caps, arguing outdated limits harm broadcasters’ scale and local news. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/national-association-of-broadcasters-pushes-fcc-to-ease-tv-and-radio-ownership-caps ### 2026-07-21: FCC Moves to Relax Radio and TV Ownership Caps The FCC is weighing repeal of radio ownership caps and the 39% TV station cap, after meetings with Connoisseur Media, Beasley Media Group, and other broadcasters seeking greater scale. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/fcc-moves-to-relax-radio-and-tv-ownership-caps ### 2026-07-15: FCC set to scrap 39% national TV ownership cap The FCC will vote on Aug. 6 to eliminate the 39% national TV ownership cap, replacing it with case‑by‑case reviews; industry backs it, while Democrat commissioner Anna Gomez warns it violates law and threatens 13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/fcc-chairman-brendan-carr-proposes-ending-39-tv-ownership-cap --- Cite as: US FCC removes TV ownership cap, faces lawsuits. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/us-fcc-broadcast-ownership-cap-reforms