On Status Of Investigation

In a letter to Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr today, more than 20 conservative organizations and individuals, led by Heritage Action for America, endorsed efforts to do away with ownership regulations for radio and television stations.

The groups urged the FCC to lift the current ownership restrictions in the letter, emphasizing how they hinder local broadcasters’ ability to compete with the big tech companies that control the digital media landscape.

The May 14 letter contended that although these regulations may have benefited the public in the marketplace of the previous century, they are now outdated and detrimental since they inhibit investment and innovation in broadcasting. “We urge the Commission to swiftly repeal these regulations, particularly the local TV duopoly rules, the local radio ownership caps, and the 39% national television cap.”

The groups’ letter was praised by the NAB, which has made removing ownership caps a top regulatory priority.

Curtis LeGeyt, president and CEO of the National Association of Broadcasters, stated that “Americans of all political persuasions concur that onerous, capricious regulations are restricting local TV and radio stations’ capacity to compete with Big Tech in the contemporary media landscape.” “We appreciate the broad support for updating these antiquated broadcast ownership regulations and reaffirming the FCC’s call to level the playing field so local broadcasters can offer the most reliable news, live sports, and entertainment to all viewers and listeners.”

Carr has been speaking out more and more in favor of ownership deregulation in recent weeks as part of a broader movement to do away with onerous media regulations.