Brendan Carr wasted no time leveraging the new Republican majority at the Federal Communications Commission. Just one day after the Senate confirmed Olivia Trusty to the FCC, Carr initiated a rulemaking process to review and potentially eliminate long-standing national TV ownership limits.
On Wednesday night, the Commission issued a public notice to refresh the record on the national television ownership cap, which restricts any one broadcaster from reaching more than 39% of U.S. TV households. The cap, established in 2004, is under renewed scrutiny through MB Docket No. 17-318—a dormant proceeding reopened by Carr.
In a separate statement, Carr defended the Commission’s authority to revise or eliminate the rule, referencing the FCC’s own 2016 determination that the agency has legal authority over the ownership cap. “While several seats up here have changed since then, the law has not,” he said, taking aim at recent partisan criticism.
Once published in the Federal Register, public comments will be accepted for 25 days, with reply comments due 45 days after publication.
The move marks the first formal step in Carr’s long-promised “Delete, Delete, Delete” agenda—a push to repeal legacy media regulations, including content oversight and ownership caps. While this round targets television, industry analysts expect AM/FM ownership limits to follow, based on Carr’s past support for radio deregulation.
NAB President Curtis LeGeyt welcomed the FCC’s quick action. “We appreciate Chairman Carr’s willingness to tackle this critical issue,” he said. “Modernizing outdated rules will allow local broadcasters to better compete with Big Tech and serve our communities with trusted local news and information.”
Trusty’s confirmation came after a contentious 53-45 Senate vote, with only Sen. John Fetterman breaking ranks with Democrats. Her arrival shifts control of the FCC to Republicans for the first time since President Trump’s return to office.
Carr praised Trusty’s credentials, citing her experience in both government and the private sector. “She will be an exceptionally effective FCC Commissioner,” he said.
Democratic Commissioner Anna Gomez also expressed optimism. “I have known Olivia for years and have been impressed with her deep understanding of communications policy,” Gomez said.
Attention now turns to who might fill the FCC’s remaining vacancy. Gavin Wax, the 31-year-old former chief of staff to Nathan Simington, is reportedly under consideration.
Meanwhile, there is little movement to nominate a successor for former Democratic Commissioner Geoffrey Starks, a delay that continues to concern Senate Democrats. The FCC’s next Open Meeting is scheduled for June 26.