After threatening ABC over Kimmel, FCC chair may eliminate TV ownership caps

In a bold move following his clash with Jimmy Kimmel and ABC, the chair of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Brendan Carr, is contemplating the removal of restrictions on TV station ownership. This potential change could greatly benefit major station owners such as Sinclair and Nexstar. Carr's recent threats towards ABC affiliates regarding the airing of Kimmel's show highlighted his concerns about national networks having excessive control over local stations. He expressed his intent to empower local broadcasters to better cater to the needs of their communities. Following Carr's remarks, Sinclair and Nexstar opted to block 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' on their ABC channels, even after Kimmel's suspension was lifted by Disney, the show's parent company. However, they soon reversed this decision, likely responding to pressures from viewers and advertisers. The unfolding situation appears to bolster Carr's argument for granting station groups greater autonomy over national programming. In a recent FCC meeting, the commission voted to solicit public feedback on a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that could lead to the reassessment or outright elimination of certain ownership limits. The proposed changes include adjustments to the Local Radio Ownership Rule, which restricts the number of radio stations that can be owned by a single entity in a local market, and the Local Television Rule, which limits ownership of multiple TV stations within the same market. Carr articulated the need for these regulations to evolve in light of the emergence of numerous online audio and video streaming platforms, which have transformed the competitive landscape of media. He criticized past FCC administrations for failing to repeal outdated ownership rules, stressing the necessity of aligning regulations with contemporary market realities.