Reforming Media Ownership Rules to Reflect the Competitive Marketplace

Local radio and television stations believe localism is best sustained by permitting broadcasters to compete effectively in the digital multichannel marketplace. Allowing stations to compete in the marketplace by reforming unnecessary restrictions would help them maintain economic vibrancy and the ability to serve their local communities in an ever-changing and competitive media landscape. Out-of-date restrictions on ownership of broadcast outlets that do not reflect current competitive realities in the digital age should be modernized.

Issue
Local radio and television stations believe localism is best sustained by permitting broadcasters to compete effectively in the digital multichannel marketplace. Allowing stations to compete in the marketplace by reforming unnecessary restrictions would help them maintain economic vibrancy and the ability to serve their local communities in an increasingly competitive media landscape. Out-of-date restrictions on ownership of broadcast outlets that do not reflect current competitive realities in the digital age should be modernized.

History
Every four years, the FCC is required by statute to review its restrictions on broadcast ownership. The FCC's required 2010 review remains pending at the agency.

NAB Position
The FCC should relax unreasonable and unfair broadcast ownership restrictions, which apply only to broadcast stations and not to our direct competitors. These decades-old rules should be updated to reflect the dramatic changes in the media marketplace, including the growth of alternate sources of news, information and entertainment, such as cable and satellite television and radio and the Internet.

As part of presenting broadcasters' case to the FCC during its 2010 quadrennial review, NAB submitted extensive comments and studies, and participated in FCC workshops. NAB continues to urge local stations and station groups to tell the FCC how the competitive environment for local broadcasting has changed and how regulatory reform is needed to help local stations continue serving their communities effectively.

Action Needed
Policymakers should support efforts to relax antiquated and unreasonable broadcast ownership restrictions so that broadcasters can compete and continue to provide free over-the air service to their local communities.