The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has escalated its efforts to persuade the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to deregulate longstanding ownership limits for radio and television stations. In a comprehensive 87-page reply comment, the NAB contends that existing ownership regulations are outdated and no longer align with the interests of the public in light of the current digital media landscape dominated by tech giants and online advertising platforms.
The NAB argues that the current regulatory framework, which allows a single licensee to own a limited number of stations based on market size, constrains broadcasters’ ability to scale operations and compete effectively. The organization points to a significant decline in radio’s audience share and advertising revenue over the past two decades, attributing these challenges primarily to competition from digital media rather than consolidation within the industry.
To address these challenges, the NAB is advocating for the complete removal of local ownership caps, asserting that such deregulation would enable broadcasters to invest more in local content, including news and community programming. The NAB emphasizes that removing these restrictions would foster innovation and improve service quality, ultimately benefiting listeners without imposing costs on taxpayers.
This push for deregulation comes as part of the FCC’s ongoing 2022 Quadrennial Regulatory Review, which seeks to assess the relevance of existing broadcast ownership rules. As the review progresses, the NAB is urging the commission to expedite its conclusions, which could lead to significant changes in the broadcasting landscape, including potential mergers and acquisitions that enhance local stations’ competitiveness against unregulated digital entities.