The FCC has not decided whether to lift its 39% national television ownership cap, a move required for Nexstar Media's $3.54 billion acquisition of smaller rival Tegna to proceed, FCC Chair Brendan Carr said Tuesday.
Carr told reporters after the commission's monthly meeting, "I've not made a final decision in those proceedings. We're still looking at the record." He added that the cap could be revised without congressional approval, though Democratic Commissioner Anna Gomez disagreed, saying the FCC lacks that authority.
The deal, announced in August, would expand Nexstar to cover 80% of U.S. TV households across key markets, but the companies have yet to formally file for FCC approval. Current rules count weaker over-the-air signals only partially against the cap.
In August, the National Association of Broadcasters and major companies urged the FCC to repeal the 85-year-old rule, calling it unfair for preventing broadcasters from reaching more than 39% of total TV households.
During the Open Commission Meeting Tuesday, the meeting—dubbed "Space Month"—focused on modernizing U.S. space communications rules to boost innovation and competitiveness.
Top Actions Taken
- Launched NPRM to Overhaul Satellite Licensing: Streamlines earth station and satellite approvals with an “assembly line” framework for faster, predictable processing.
- Proposed Expanding Upper Microwave Spectrum Use: Opens spectrum above 24 GHz for shared terrestrial and satellite services.
- Strengthened National Security in Equipment Authorization: Closes loopholes in the Covered List to block risky imports and sales (2nd R&O + 2nd FNPRM).
- Pushed Next Gen TV (ATSC 3.0) Transition: Removes broadcaster barriers to accelerate deployment (Fifth FNPRM).
- Eased Broadband “Nutrition” Label Rules: Seeks to eliminate six burdensome 2022 requirements, including phone readability and archiving mandates.
Other Key Items
- Incarcerated Persons Calling Services (IPCS): Set new interim rate caps for audio/video calls, banned site commissions under the Martha Wright-Reed Act—criticized by Commissioner Gomez as anti-consumer.
- Deleted Obsolete Rules: Removed outdated market aggregation limits, maritime system regulations, and more.
Amid a government shutdown since October 1, the FCC operated on independent funds. The space-focused agenda aims to position the U.S. as a leader in the global space economy. Full drafts, outcomes, and statements are available at fcc.gov/October2025 (updates may be delayed).