NAB's LeGeyt Calls for Modernization of Ownership Rules

RADIO ONLINE | Wednesday, February 19, 2025 | 1:43pm CT

Curtis LeGeyt

National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) President and CEO Curtis LeGeyt called for urgent reforms to the FCC's broadcast ownership rules, arguing that outdated regulations are placing local radio and television stations at a severe competitive disadvantage against Big Tech. Speaking at The Media Institute's 2025 Communications Forum, LeGeyt stressed the critical role broadcasters play in democracy and emergency response, warning that their ability to serve the public is in jeopardy.

LeGeyt highlighted that local stations provide essential journalism, emergency information, and community-focused content that cannot be replicated by digital platforms. However, he criticized federal regulations that restrict broadcasters' ability to scale, while tech giants like YouTube, TikTok, and Netflix operate without similar constraints. He pointed out that YouTube now accounts for one-tenth of all television viewing in the U.S., while a third of adults under 30 get their news from TikTok.

"The government's failure to adapt its regulations to a changing media landscape has pushed local broadcasting to a precipice," LeGeyt warned, citing FCC Chairman Brendan Carr's previous statement that broadcasters are at a "break glass moment."

LeGeyt urged the FCC to take two key actions to level the playing field:

First, eliminate the national audience cap -- currently, no broadcaster can reach more than 39% of U.S. households, while streaming platforms and digital media can reach 100%.

Second, modernize local ownership rules -- existing regulations prevent TV broadcasters from owning two of the top four stations in a market and limit the number of radio stations a company can own. LeGeyt argued that these outdated restrictions hinder investment in journalism and innovation.

He also warned of the growing impact of Big Tech on live sports, with companies like Amazon and Netflix securing exclusive rights to major events, taking games away from freely available local broadcasts.

LeGeyt painted a dire picture of what is at stake if broadcasters cannot compete. He pointed to the decline of local newspapers and said broadcasters have stepped in to fill the gap, with local news production increasing by 33% over the last decade. He also emphasized the public's trust in local TV and radio news, which far surpasses trust in social media.

Moreover, he highlighted the essential role of broadcasters in emergency situations, such as the recent wildfires in California, where local stations provided critical real-time updates that doubled and tripled their audience numbers.

"The time to act is now," LeGeyt urged, calling on the FCC and Congress to support local broadcasters by updating regulations to reflect modern media realities.

LeGeyt concluded by reaffirming the NAB's commitment to ensuring broadcasters remain a cornerstone of American democracy, promising to work closely with policymakers to remove regulatory barriers that threaten their future.