FCC Kills TV Ownership Cap, Claiming Authority Over Limit Set By Congress

The FCC voted 2-1 to eliminate the National Television Ownership Rule, removing the 39 percent audience reach limit established by Congress. Under Chairman Brendan Carr, the agency is replacing this cap with a case-by-case review for proposed mergers to ensure they promote the public interest. While the FCC asserts this empowers the agency to approve beneficial deals, the lone Democratic commissioner has formally criticized the decision, stating that the move to eliminate the cap is unlawful on its face.