Radio ownership regulations upheld by Appeals Court, remaining in effect
In the ever-evolving world of media, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit has made significant decisions regarding the ownership rules for radio and television broadcasting.
Currently, the radio ownership rules in the U.S. media market maintain caps on the number of AM and FM radio stations a single company may own within a single market. This means broadcasters still face limits on local radio station ownership designed to prevent excessive consolidation. The court rejected challenges urging the FCC to consider digital audio platforms like Spotify or satellite radio as part of the relevant market when defining ownership limits and found the FCC acted within its authority by focusing solely on broadcast radio.
Meanwhile, the rules concerning television ownership have seen some changes: the appeals court vacated the FCC's "top-four" TV station ownership prohibition, which had barred ownership of two TV stations ranked among the top four by audience share in any market. This reflects a shift aimed at allowing broadcasters more flexibility to compete in a changed media landscape.
Regarding efforts to modernize these rules, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr is a prominent advocate for updating and easing ownership restrictions. He dissented on the FCC's 2023 order that maintained the strict local radio ownership limits and has expressed support for reform to better reflect economic realities and competition from digital audio platforms. Carr has initiated public proceedings aimed at reviewing and potentially eliminating certain outdated rules, including national television ownership caps. The National Association of Broadcasters (NAB), aligned with Carr's views, hopes for modernization especially concerning local radio ownership to enhance broadcasters' ability to invest in local journalism and compete effectively in modern markets.
In summary:
| Aspect | Current Status | Modernization Efforts | |----------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------| | Radio Ownership Rules | Caps on AM/FM station ownership in local markets remain; court upheld FCC's strict broadcast-only market definition | FCC Chair Brendan Carr supports easing restrictions; public comment proceedings launched | | Television Ownership Rules | "Top-four" station ownership prohibition vacated by court, easing TV broadcast ownership limits | Carr and NAB advocate further reforms including removing national TV ownership caps |
Thus, while the FCC's radio ownership rules remain as of mid-2025, there is active leadership pushing to modernize these regulations to better fit today’s digital and media consumption environment. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, in particular, has been vocal about the need for change, focusing on the court's decision to toss the top-four rule in his reaction statement. The court order is available for review.
The FCC's radio ownership rules continue to impose limits on the number of AM and FM stations a single company can own in a local market, despite calls for relaxation. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr has been vocal about his support for modernizing these rules and has launched public comment proceedings in this regard. Meanwhile, the court's decision to vacate the "top-four" television station ownership prohibition indicates a shift towards easing TV broadcast ownership limits. The National Association of Broadcasters supports modernization, particularly in the area of local radio ownership, to enable broader investments in local journalism and effective competition in modern markets. Therefore, while the FCC's radio ownership rules remain unchanged as of mid-2025, there is a significant push towards modernization in the media industry, with keen focus on digital platforms like Spotify and satellite radio.
