FCC votes to eliminate national broadcast ownership cap

The Federal Communications Commission voted on Thursday to eliminate the national broadcast ownership cap, ending the long‑standing rule that barred any single owner from controlling stations reaching more than 39 percent of U.S. television households. The decision was supported by the two Republican members of the five‑person commission—Chair Brendan Carr and Commissioner Olivia Trusty—while Democratic Commissioner Anna Gomez filed a dissenting vote. The cap, which had limited the size of broadcast portfolios for decades, was a policy that Carr has repeatedly criticized and announced last month he would move to rescind at the agency’s open meeting.

With the cap removed, the FCC said future ownership limits will be determined on a case‑by‑case basis rather than through a fixed national percentage, signaling a shift toward a more flexible regulatory framework. The change could allow larger media conglomerates to acquire additional stations, potentially reshaping the competitive landscape of broadcast television, while opponents warn it may reduce diversity of ownership. The commission’s new approach will be implemented through revised guidelines that are expected to be issued later this year.