A coalition of small and mid-sized broadcast companies has officially joined the push to eliminate federal ownership caps. In a joint filing submitted to the Federal Communications Commission this week, groups including Mid-West Family Broadcasting, Frandsen Family Stations, and Legend Communications threw their support behind the National Association of Broadcasters’ proposal to modernize the rules. The broadcasters argue that the current regulations, which restrict the number of stations a single entity can own in a specific market, are stifling their ability to survive in a media landscape dominated by unregulated digital giants.
The filing contends that the “local radio ownership rule” is a relic of a bygone era that prevents smaller operators from achieving the economies of scale necessary to fund local journalism and community service. The groups emphasize that the primary competition for advertising dollars is no longer the other radio station across town, but rather massive tech platforms like Google and Meta, which face no such market share restrictions. The broadcasters argue that without the ability to consolidate and share resources, many small-market stations will be unable to attract the capital needed to upgrade facilities or maintain staffing levels.
The comments also push back against opponents who claim that deregulation would harm diversity or reduce the variety of viewpoints on the air. The filing asserts that these claims are “unproven canards” that fail to account for the reality of the 2026 marketplace. Instead, the broadcasters suggest that the real threat to diversity is the financial insolvency of local stations caused by outdated regulatory handcuffs. By allowing for greater consolidation, the groups argue they can build stronger, more financially stable local brands that can effectively compete for both audience attention and advertising revenue. The submission urges the FCC to act immediately to level the playing field before more local voices are silenced by economic pressure.