Seeking Public Opinion on Altering Broadcast Ownership Regulations, Proposed by FCC
Breaking: FCC Moves to Modernize Antiquated Broadcast Ownership Cap
Get ready for some serious shakeups in the broadcasting world! The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced plans to revisit the 39% national television ownership cap, a rule that's been stifling broadcasters since—well, forever. This move comes as the result of a public notice seeking comments on the outdated rule, lauded by the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) as a step towards modernizing our media landscape.
FCC Chairman, Brendan Carr, has been leading the charge, advocating for the need to update media ownership regulations to keep pace with the ever-evolving media consumption trends. As highlighted in a recent interview, Carr pointed out the absurdity of these antiquated limits on broadcast television stations, while tech giants like Google and Facebook evade such restrictions.
"With this public notice, we're looking to refresh the record and invite new opinions on this matter," explained the FCC's Media Bureau in the public announcement. "We want to know if there's been any new information or developments that could potentially alter our stance on the national audience reach cap."
In the original Notice of Proposed Rule Making back in 2017, the FCC explored the effects that changes to the national ownership cap could have on the broadcasting industry. Among the factors considered were the growth of online video alternatives, reverse compensation fees paid by affiliates to networks, common ownership of broadcast and cable networks, and industry consolidation.
By inviting public comment, the FCC aims to understand whether the media landscape since 2018 warrants modifications to the cap. For example, the Commission is particularly interested in the potential impact that online streaming services and the continued erosion of traditional cable subscribers may have on the cap's applicability.
The NAB welcomed this initiative, with NAB President and CEO Curtis LeGeyt stating, "This important step will enable broadcasters to better serve our communities with trusted news and information. Bringing these outdated ownership rules into the 21st century will give local stations a fair chance to compete with Big Tech."
So, stay tuned as we await the public's response to this public notice, and get ready for some exciting changes in the world of broadcasting!
- The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) seeks to update the 39% national television ownership cap, a long-standing restriction stifling broadcasters, following a public notice requesting comments.
- FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has advocate for revising media ownership regulations to align with modern media consumption trends, citing the absurdity of antiquated broadcast television limits in light of tech giants' exemptions.
- The FCC's Media Bureau released a public announcement expressing interest in updating the national audience reach cap, inviting new opinions about potential alterations based on recent developments.
- In its Notice of Proposed Rule Making in 2017, the FCC examined the implications of changing the national ownership cap on the broadcasting industry, including factors such as online video alternatives and industry consolidation.
- With this public notice, the FCC aims to evaluate whether the media landscape since 2018 warrants adjustments to the cap, considering the potential impact of online streaming services and the erosion of traditional cable subscribers.
- NAB President and CEO Curtis LeGeyt applauds the initiative, stating that revising these outdated rules would allow broadcasters to better serve communities with trusted news and information, creating fair competition with tech giants in the broader policy-and-legislation, politics, general-news, media, business, finance, and IP arenas.
