The FCC, under Chairman Brendan Carr, is scheduled to vote Thursday, on repealing the longstanding 39% national television audience-reach ownership cap. It would replace the bright-line limit with case-by-case public-interest reviews (considering factors like localism, viewpoint diversity, and competition).
Supporters argue this helps broadcasters compete with tech platforms; critics, including Democratic Commissioner Anna Gomez, say only Congress can change the statutory cap and that the move could enable further consolidation favoring certain owners. Related actions include prior waivers (e.g., involving Nexstar/Tegna).
Separately, the FCC ordered early license-renewal proceedings for Disney-owned ABC’s eight stations (years ahead of their normal 2028–2031 expirations), citing investigations. ABC has strongly opposed this as “extraordinary and unprecedented” and retaliatory for coverage critical of the Trump administration, urging dismissal of petitions to deny.
The network noted massive public support (over 150,000 comments, mostly favorable) and has brought on additional legal counsel. A bipartisan group of former FCC officials also urged the agency to drop the probe.
Current Major Rules (as of early August 2026).
- National Television Ownership Rule (the “39% Cap”) No single entity may own commercial TV stations with an aggregate national audience reach exceeding 39% of U.S. television households.
- UHF Discount: UHF stations (channels 14+) count as only 50% of the households in their Designated Market Area (DMA), effectively allowing reach up to roughly 78% in some calculations. VHF stations count at 100%.
- There is no absolute limit on the number of stations—only on household reach.
- This rule is codified in 47 CFR § 73.3555(e) and is not subject to the regular quadrennial review process in the same way as other rules.
Current status (highly relevant):
On August 6, 2026, the FCC (under Chairman Brendan Carr) is scheduled to vote on a draft Order that would repeal the bright-line 39% cap and replace it with case-by-case public-interest reviews of transactions that would exceed it. The draft argues the cap is outdated given competition from streaming and other platforms, and that individual review better serves localism, diversity, and competition.
Critics (including Democratic Commissioner Anna Gomez and public-interest groups) contend only Congress can change the 39% figure (set by statute in the 2004 Consolidated Appropriations Act after the FCC previously tried to raise it) and that repeal would enable excessive consolidation. Legal challenges are widely expected if the order is adopted.
Local Television Multiple Ownership Rule
Local Television Multiple Ownership Rule
- An entity may own up to two full-power TV stations in the same Nielsen DMA if: Their service contours do not overlap, or
- At least one is not ranked among the top-four stations in the market by audience share.
- Applicants can request a waiver or make a showing that a top-four combination would still serve the public interest.
- The FCC has refined ranking methodology and related affiliation restrictions in recent reviews.
Local Radio Ownership Rule
- Limits are based on market size (number of stations) with sub-caps on AM vs. FM: 45+ stations: Up to 8 total (no more than 5 in the same service—AM or FM).
- 30–44 stations: Up to 7 total (no more than 4 same service).
- 15–29 stations: Up to 6 total (no more than 4 same service).
- 14 or fewer: Up to 5 total (no more than 3 same service), and generally not more than 50% of the stations in the market.
- Overlap rules and contour methodologies apply in certain areas.