The National Association of Broadcasters has filed forceful new comments with the Federal Communications Commission, arguing that the agency must completely dismantle the decades-old “caps” on local radio station ownership. in a lengthy reply brief submitted this week, the industry group contended that the current restrictions—which limit the number of AM and FM stations a single entity can own in a market—are archaic and economically damaging.
The filing serves as a rebuttal to opponents who argue that consolidation hurts diversity. The broadcasters’ association presented data showing that the rise of unregulated digital competitors like Google, Meta, and Spotify has fundamentally altered the advertising landscape, leaving terrestrial radio at a severe disadvantage. The brief highlights that even small and mid-sized market broadcasters, not just large conglomerates, are calling for relief. These smaller operators argue that they need the ability to scale up locally to generate the revenue required to support local news and community service. The association maintained that the current rules, written in the 1990s, effectively “shackle” broadcasters while their digital rivals operate with zero ownership constraints. The filing urges the commission to move quickly to modernize the rules to reflect the reality of the 2026 media marketplace.