FCC Starts Moving on TV Ownership Deregulation

With Senate confirmation of new FCC Commissioner Olivia Trusty, the FCC is wasting no time moving with Chairman Carr’s deregulatory agenda.  The first step will be the FCC’s proceeding to relax the National TV multiple ownership rules, which was first opened in 2017.  In its new Public Notice, the FCC stated:

“In December 2017, the Commission adopted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (National Cap NPRM) to seek comment on whether to retain, modify, or eliminate its rule limiting entities from owning or controlling broadcast television stations that, in the aggregate, reach more than 39% of the television audience households in the United States. The National Cap NPRM also sought comment on a component of the rule which provides a 50% discount to UHF stations for purposes of calculating compliance with the 39% audience reach cap, often referred to as the “UHF discount.”

By reopening the record, the FCC anticipates a broad discussion of the national TV ownership rules, including the changes that have taken place in the media marketplace and the impact the rules have on local television stations.   

This is an important proceeding.  Comments will be due 25 days after the Public Notice is published in the Federal Register.  The reply comments will be due 45 days after the date of publication. 

You can access the FCC’s public notice here.