FCC Plans August 6th Vote on Repealing 39% National TV Ownership Cap

The FCC has announced that it will vote on repealing the 39% cap on national commercial television station ownership at its August 6^th meeting.  In addition, it will vote to replace the cap with a more nuanced case-by-case review, approving proposals that are in the public interest and rejecting others that are not.

Repealing the cap will give the FCC a tool to level the playing field between television and other video content providers who have no market restrictions, while enhancing localism and promoting investment in news gathering operations.

The 2-1 Republican majority likely means a vote in favor of repealing the cap, though legal challenges are sure to follow.  The 39% cap was adopted by Congress, and some argue that only Congress can change it. Chairman Carr has countered that Congress has not withdrawn or curtailed the FCC’s power/authority to regulate or change ownership limits, and pointed to prior positions on both sides of the aisle that agree with that position.