FCC to Repeal 98 Outdated Broadcast Rules & Requirements

RADIO ONLINE | Thursday, August 7, 2025 | 3:25pm CT

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has repealed 98 broadcast-related rules and requirements deemed obsolete or unnecessary, as part of its ongoing effort to reduce regulatory burdens under the "In re: Delete, Delete, Delete" docket.

The rules eliminated in today's action date back as far as the 1970s and include provisions governing outdated technologies such as legacy radio testing equipment. The FCC said the repealed rules no longer serve the public interest, are no longer used in practice by broadcasters or the Commission, or have been surpassed by technological advances in the media marketplace.

"This decision reflects our commitment to modernizing the FCC's regulatory framework and clearing away legal clutter that no longer has any practical relevance," the Commission stated.

The repeals were enacted through a streamlined "Direct Final Rule" process, which allows the Commission to eliminate obsolete rules without undergoing years of legal proceedings. At its July meeting, the FCC used the same process to repeal rules related to telegraph services, rabbit-ear TV antennas, and phone booths.

The initiative has drawn significant public comment, which the FCC said is helping to inform not only the Delete docket but other rulemaking efforts as well.

Chairman Brendan Carr and Commissioner Nathan Simington Trusty voted in favor of the repeal, while Commissioner Anna Gomez concurred in part and dissented in part. All three commissioners issued separate statements accompanying the action (FCC 25-51), which was approved on August 7.

The FCC characterized the rule repeal as part of a broader effort to "unleash a new wave of economic opportunity" by eliminating regulations that have long since outlived their relevance.