The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) has called on the FCC to eliminate local radio and television ownership restrictions to foster a competitive environment in today’s rapidly evolving media landscape. In a recent 87-page filing, NAB highlighted that existing ownership caps, which limit the number of radio stations one entity can own, are outdated and detrimental to local broadcasters.
NAB argues that these restrictions are hindering their ability to attract investment and audiences amidst significant competition from digital content providers. The association believes that the current regulations, rooted in nearly a century-old framework, do not reflect the reality of modern media consumption and should be removed to enhance local broadcasting capabilities.
As part of its comments, NAB emphasized that many small and mid-sized broadcasters support the repeal of these caps, countering claims that only larger companies favor reforms. The organization also addressed criticisms from certain groups, asserting that the challenges faced by Black-owned stations align with broader economic struggles in the radio industry, rather than justifying the retention of restrictive ownership limits.
NAB’s filing urged the FCC to act swiftly in reforming these regulations to allow broadcasters to better serve their communities without the burden of outdated constraints.