NAB says CEO Curtis LeGeyt met face to face with new FCC Commissioner Olivia Trusty to push broadcast deregulation, following earlier staff-level conversations. In an ex parte dated September 22, the group argued that local radio ownership limits have stood unchanged since before streaming, social media, digital ad giants, and smart devices reshaped competition.
The filing contends that allowing broadcasters to own more stations per market would expand listener choice and advertiser value. With additional signals, owners could program distinct formats to serve different tastes and communities, rather than fighting for the same broad audience with a handful of outlets.
To ground the case, NAB pointed to Edison Research’s Share of Ear trends: AM/FM’s share of U.S. audio usage has fallen to 34% from 52.1% in 2014, while streaming music holds 23%, YouTube 14%, and podcasts 10%. The group argues that caps designed for an analog era now constrain local operators against national and global digital platforms.
NAB’s proposal seeks a two-tier approach: lift all local radio caps in Nielsen markets 76 and below, and in the top 75 markets allow ownership of up to eight FM stations, with no limit on AM. LeGeyt also urged updates to the national cap and local rules for television, saying legacy limits impede scale needed for news, sports, and local content.
Economic headwinds framed the pitch. BIA projects 2025 radio ad revenue nearly 30% below 2007 levels, and Borrell Associates estimates broadcasters capture only 15% of local digital ad dollars. NAB says more flexible ownership would help clusters diversify products, invest in digital extensions, and compete for performance-based advertising.
The Commission’s next Open Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. ET, with industry watchers looking for signals on whether ownership reviews or related rulemakings may advance after a series of ex parte meetings with commissioners and staff, including Anna Gomez and Olivia Trusty.