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Campaign Initiated by NAB Pressing for Modernization of FCC Ownership Rules

Nationwide advertising, lobbying efforts towards legislators, and a mass broadcaster trip to Washington D.C. planned for the upcoming campaign.

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NAB Advocates for Modification of Ownership Rules by FCC
NAB Advocates for Modification of Ownership Rules by FCC

Campaign Initiated by NAB Pressing for Modernization of FCC Ownership Rules

In the ever-evolving media landscape, the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has launched a public affairs campaign to modernize Federal Communications Commission (FCC) local television and radio ownership regulations. Central to this campaign is the push to modify or eliminate the national ownership cap that currently restricts broadcasters from reaching more than 39% of U.S. households [4].

Under the Trump administration, which advocated for deregulation, the FCC initiated a reexamination of broadcast ownership rules. More recently, as of mid-2025, the FCC has reopened the review of the national television multiple ownership rule, including evaluating whether the existing 39% audience reach cap remains valid in the contemporary media landscape [1].

The FCC, led by Chairman Brendan Carr, is soliciting public comments on potential adjustments to mechanisms such as the UHF discount and reconsidering the exclusion of certain non-major network stations from the cap. The FCC under Carr has expressed confidence in its legal authority to revisit the cap despite some controversy, emphasizing that changes in market conditions warrant updated rules [1].

The NAB's campaign aims to give local stations the flexibility to grow, innovate, and better serve their communities, which they argue is hindered by the current rules. The industry is hopeful that the current Trump administration and new leadership at the FCC will be more inclined to allow more industry consolidation [3].

However, opposition to the NAB's modernization efforts exists from some tech and public interest groups concerned about potential negative impacts on diverse and marginalized communities [2].

As the campaign progresses, more than 500 broadcasters will be in the nation's capital next week for the State Leadership Conference to advocate for ownership reform and other priorities facing local stations [5].

For more information about the NAB's campaign and efforts to modernize FCC regulations, visit the NAB's website at nab.org/ModernizeTheRules. It is worth noting that Big Tech platforms, pay-TV, and streaming services face no such restrictions on audience reach, creating intense competition for broadcasters who operate under these rules [6].

References:

1. Federal Communications Commission (FCC), "FCC Reopens Review of National Television Multiple Ownership Rule," 2025, [https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-reopens-review-national-television-multiple-ownership-rule](https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-reopens-review-national-television-multiple-ownership-rule) 2. The Hill, "Broadcasters push for FCC rule changes," 2021, [https://thehill.com/policy/technology/564099-broadcasters-push-for-fcc-rule-changes](https://thehill.com/policy/technology/564099-broadcasters-push-for-fcc-rule-changes) 3. Broadcasting & Cable, "NAB's LeGeyt: Policymakers Must Act Now to Modernize Broadcast Ownership Rules," 2021, [https://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/nab-s-legeyt-policymakers-must-act-now-to-modernize-broadcast-ownership-rules/](https://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/nab-s-legeyt-policymakers-must-act-now-to-modernize-broadcast-ownership-rules/) 4. National Association of Broadcasters, "NAB Launches Public Affairs Campaign to Modernize FCC Regulations," 2021, [https://www.nab.org/news/articles/2021/nab-launches-public-affairs-campaign-to-modernize-fcc-regulations/](https://www.nab.org/news/articles/2021/nab-launches-public-affairs-campaign-to-modernize-fcc-regulations/) 5. National Association of Broadcasters, "More Than 500 Broadcasters to Advocate for Ownership Reform at State Leadership Conference," 2025, [https://www.nab.org/news/articles/2025/more-than-500-broadcasters-to-advocate-for-ownership-reform-at-state-leadership-conference/](https://www.nab.org/news/articles/2025/more-than-500-broadcasters-to-advocate-for-ownership-reform-at-state-leadership-conference/) 6. National Association of Broadcasters, "Fact Sheet: Modernizing FCC Ownership Rules," 2021, [https://www.nab.org/issues/fact-sheets/modernizing-fcc-ownership-rules/](https://www.nab.org/issues/fact-sheets/modernizing-fcc-ownership-rules/)

  1. The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) is advocating for changes in Federal Communications Commission (FCC) local television and radio ownership regulations to modernize the rules.
  2. The FCC, under Chairman Brendan Carr, is considering adjustments to broadcast ownership rules, reopening the review of the national television multiple ownership rule and evaluating the 39% audience reach cap.
  3. The NAB's campaign includes a push to give local stations the flexibility to grow, innovate, and better serve their communities, and the industry hopes for more industry consolidation.
  4. Some tech and public interest groups have voiced concerns about the potential negative impacts on diverse and marginalized communities due to the modernization efforts of the NAB.
  5. More than 500 broadcasters will be in the nation's capital next week for the State Leadership Conference to advocate for ownership reform and other priorities facing local stations.
  6. The general news is covering the ongoing campaign by the NAB to modernize FCC regulations, with notable policy-and-legislation developments in politics and business.
  7. The video content on media platforms such as streaming services faces no such restrictions on audience reach, creating intense competition for broadcasters who operate under the current FCC regulations.

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