NAB Urges FCC To Modernize Radio Ownership Rules

NAB announced Friday it will urge the Federal Communications Commission to modernize outdated radio ownership rules as part of its quadrennial media ownership review proceeding planned for later this year.

NAB's request comes at a time of unprecedented consolidation among radio's competitors in the media world. NAB noted that radio ownership rules have remained static since 1996, a date that preceded the introduction of streaming services like Pandora and Spotify, along with Sirius/XM satellite radio, podcasting, Facebook and YouTube.

NAB urges the Commission to consider the following approach:

• In the top 75 Nielsen Audio markets, allow a single entity to own or control up to eight commercial FM stations, with no limit on AM ownership
• To promote new entry into broadcasting, an owner in these top 75 markets should be permitted to own up to two additional FM stations (for a total of 10 FMs) by participating in the FCC’s incubator program
• In Nielsen markets outside of the top 75 and in unrated markets, there should be no restrictions on the number of FM or AM stations a single entity may own or control. 

NAB's Radio Board met in Washington this week, with the ownership rules a topic of discussion. Anticipating the FCC quadrennial review later this year, the Board voted in favor of seeking regulatory relief that will allow radio to remain competitive while continuing its commitment to localism.

As part of the FCC's quadrennial media ownership review, NAB will be filing comments along with supporting evidence that justifies radio ownership modernization.