The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) voted on August 6, 2026, to eliminate a cap on the percentage of U.S. television households that a single company can reach. The decision, made in a 2-1 vote, repeals a 22-year-old rule that restricted ownership to 39% of the U.S. television audience. This change will allow for a case-by-case approach to ownership. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr stated that the previous cap hindered local broadcasters' ability to compete with larger national companies. The rule had been in place since 2004 and was part of federal law.
Carr's position has faced criticism, with opponents including Democratic Commissioner Anna M. Gomez, who described the vote as unlawful and argued that it would not alleviate economic pressures on local broadcasters. The decision is seen as beneficial for Nexstar Media Group, which is pursuing a $6.2 billion acquisition of Tegna. However, this deal is currently on hold due to an antitrust lawsuit from eight state attorneys general. Critics of the FCC's decision argue that it could lead to increased media consolidation and reduced diversity in viewpoints on the airwaves.