FCC Expected To Repeal Oqnership Caps

FCC Chairman Brendan Carr says the Commission will vote August 6 on repealing the long‑standing 39% national television ownership cap — a move that immediately sent broadcast stocks surging. The decision, shared in an interview with Breitbart, shuts down speculation that broader media‑ownership reforms for radio or TV were on the table.

The proposal would eliminate the national cap and replace it with a case‑by‑case review process, rather than raising the limit to 69% or 100% as some industry observers had anticipated. Even without a percentage increase, investors reacted swiftly: By mid‑afternoon Tuesday, Nexstar shares climbed 3.8% to $182.24 after touching nearly $191 earlier in the day. Sinclair rose 3.6% to $14.30, Gray Media jumped 6.2% to $4.05, and Scripps traded at $3.07 after peaking at $3.17.

Industry leaders also moved quickly to endorse the proposal. NAB President/CEO Curtis LeGeyt praised the Commission for advancing the order, arguing that broadcast‑only ownership limits are outdated in a marketplace dominated by digital competitors. Removing the cap, he said, would strengthen local stations’ ability to compete, invest, and serve communities with trusted news, sports, and entertainment.

Rumors had circulated earlier in the day that the FCC was preparing a broader overhaul of AM/FM and UHF/VHF ownership rules. Carr’s announcement made clear that, for now, the August vote will focus solely on the national TV cap.