The National Association of Broadcasters has officially announced its support for a renewed legislative push to modernize federal ownership regulations for radio and television stations. In a statement released on Wednesday, the industry trade group backed a proposal that urges the Federal Communications Commission to revisit and potentially loosen restrictions that limit the number of stations a single entity can own in a specific market.
The association argues that the current rules, which were established decades ago, no longer reflect the competitive reality of the modern media landscape. With digital platforms like Google and Facebook commanding the vast majority of local advertising revenue without facing similar regulatory caps, broadcasters contend that they are operating with one hand tied behind their back. The NAB’s position is that allowing for greater consolidation, particularly in smaller markets, would enable local stations to achieve the economic scale necessary to invest in local news and emergency programming.
This development comes as House leaders have intensified pressure on the commission to open a new rulemaking proceeding. Proponents of the change suggest that the “subcaps”—which limit ownership within a specific service (AM or FM)—are particularly outdated given the struggles of the AM band. For small market operators, the potential to consolidate operations could provide a lifeline against rising operational costs and flat revenues. The NAB has stated it will work closely with congressional members to ensure that any rule changes prioritize the long-term viability of free, over-the-air broadcasting.