FCC Boosts Local Broadcasters’ Pre-Emptions Power

The FCC has approved a $6.2 billion merger between TV station owners Nexstar and Tegna, while its Republican chair, Brendan Carr, is exploring new rules that would make it easier for local stations to override network programming without facing contract penalties — a move critics say is designed to mute content from networks perceived as liberal.

The merger, approved March 26, would create the nation’s largest TV broadcaster, with Nexstar controlling 259 stations reaching about 80% of U.S. households. Carr has openly pushed to strengthen local broadcasters’ leverage against national networks such as NBC and ABC, which President Trump and conservatives have long accused of bias.

Now, Carr told POLITICO he wants to restore an earlier era in which local stations had greater ability to preempt network shows. He is considering FCC measures, including a regulatory presumption protecting affiliate agreements, that would shield stations from financial penalties or loss of popular programming when they choose to drop network content.

In September, Nexstar and Sinclair Broadcasting refused to air ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live for nine days after Kimmel’s criticism of the killing of pro-Trump activist Charlie Kirk, drawing praise from Carr and other Republicans.

Conservative advocates argue the changes would allow stations to better reflect local values. Daniel Suhr of the Center for American Rights said preemption gives affiliates “real leverage” against “offensive or insulting” content from Hollywood and New York.

Democrats sharply disagree, viewing the moves as political censorship. FCC Commissioner Anna Gomez said the agency’s interest in preemption amounts to a “censorship backdoor” after public backlash blocked earlier efforts against Kimmel. She criticized the FCC’s “obsession with how broadcasters cover this administration.”

Current network-affiliate contracts often impose financial penalties or risk loss of key programming (such as NFL games) if stations preempt shows too frequently. Carr has criticized these agreements as overly restrictive and has pressed network executives on what he called “onerous” demands.

The combined Nexstar-Tegna entity would gain significant influence to test any new preemption flexibility. FCC spokespeople did not respond to requests for comment on the plans or political implications.

The developments reflect a broader push by the Trump administration and its appointees to reshape the media landscape in favor of local and conservative-leaning broadcasters.