Broadcasters Encouraged By Talk Of Radio Deregulation

FCC Commissioner Nathan Simington made headlines Wednesday at the 2025 NAB State Leadership Conference with comments signaling a strong push toward radio deregulation. 

Speaking in a fireside chat with NAB EVP of Legal and Regulatory Affairs Rick Kaplan, Simington stated, “Should we expect broadcast deregulation? I think it’s absolutely clear that we will.” This remark stirred excitement among radio and TV operators eager for regulatory relief to better compete with Big Tech platforms like Google, Facebook, and streaming services, which face fewer restrictions.

Simington expressed optimism about a shift in the FCC’s focus under Chairman Brendan Carr, suggesting the agency would move away from heavy-handed oversight toward a more “infrastructure-focused” approach, prioritizing “bread and butter, hard technology issues.” He criticized existing regulations as outdated, saying, “They don’t just come from another era, they come from another paradigm,” a comment met with murmurs of agreement from the audience. His stance aligns with a broader narrative among broadcasters who argue that loosening rules—such as ownership caps—would level the playing field against unregulated digital giants.

He also touched on the FCC’s enforcement processes, which he has recently criticized, noting that Supreme Court decisions (likely referencing the end of Chevron deference in 2024) could challenge the FCC’s fining authority. Simington suggested this might disproportionately affect broadcasters, hinting at a need to rethink enforcement to favor deregulation.

While Simington didn’t detail specific deregulation proposals—like whether he’d support the NAB’s call to eliminate all AM ownership limits or iHeartMedia’s “middle ground” approach—his comments build on his prior record. In November 2021, he told the Massachusetts Broadcasters Association that he’d push for relaxing ownership rules, questioning whether broadcasters still wield the market power justifying stringent regulations from a bygone era. His March 2025 remarks reinforce this deregulatory zeal, positioning him as a key ally for radio industry leaders seeking freedom to innovate and grow.

Simington also nodded to recent Supreme Court rulings—likely the 2024 decisions gutting Chevron deference—which could limit the FCC’s ability to impose fines or enforce old rules. He argued this hits broadcasters harder than digital platforms, reinforcing his case for leveling the playing field through deregulation rather than piling on more oversight.

The audience—radio and TV leaders—loved it, reportedly murmuring in agreement. Posts on X from March 5 reflect this enthusiasm, with some calling it a “game-changer” for radio’s fight against Big Tech. Others speculated on practical outcomes: fewer ownership restrictions could spark consolidation, letting big players like iHeart or Cumulus snap up more stations to bulk up their ad revenue and digital offerings. Smaller operators, though, might worry about getting squeezed out.