Home Login RADIO ONLINE RSS Facebook
Advertisement

FCC Says Ownership Rules Should Not Be Changed


In a Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Report and Order (NPRM) issued Wednesday, the FCC has tentatively found that based on the 2010 Quadrennial Review record, current local radio ownership rules remain necessary in the public interest and should be retained without modification. The Commission believes that the rules are necessary to "promote competition."

In addition, the agency said that current radio ownership limits promote viewpoint diversity "by ensuring a sufficient number of independent radio voices and by preserving a market structure that facilitates and encourages new entry into the local media market." Similarly, the FCC tentatively found that a competitive local radio market helps to promote localism, as a competitive marketplace will lead to the selection of programming that is responsive to the needs and interests of the local community.

The Commission also tentatively found that the local radio ownership rule is consistent with its goal of promoting minority and female ownership of broadcast stations. It also believes that these benefits outweigh any burdens that may result from our proposal to retain the rule without modification. The Commission is now seeking comment on these tentative conclusions.

In accordance with these tentative conclusions, The FCC proposes that an entity may continue to own: (1) up to eight commercial radio stations in radio markets with 45 or more radio stations, no more than five of which can be in the same service (AM or FM). (2) Up to seven commercial radio stations in radio markets with 30-44 radio stations, no more than four of which can be in the same service (AM or FM). (3) Up to six commercial radio stations in radio markets with 15-29 radio stations, no more than four of which can be in the same service (AM or FM). And (4) up to five commercial radio stations in radio markets with 14 or fewer radio stations, no more than three of which can be in the same service (AM or FM), provided that an entity may not own more than 50 percent of the stations in such a market.

In the NPRM, the Commission tentatively concluded that the relevant market for review of the local radio ownership rule is the radio listening market and that it is not appropriate, at this time, to expand that market to include non-broadcast sources of audio programming. Based on its review of the 2010 Quadrennial Review record, the agency believed this approach is appropriate, and it's seekinh comment on whether it should maintain this market definition.

Advertisement

Latest Radio Stories

Study Shows AM/FM Radio Boosts Pharma Brand Awareness
Cumulus Media and Westwood One
Cumulus Media and Westwood One
A new Harris Poll Brand Tracker study reveals that an over-the-counter pharmaceutical brand achieved major gains in awareness, favorability, and usage from its 2025 AM/FM radio campaign-despite spending seven times less than on linear TV. The findings were detailed this week in Cumulus Media | Westwood One's More

Audacy Debuts Wisconsin Sports Radio Network
Wisconsin Sports Radio Network
Wisconsin Sports Radio Network
Audacy has launched the Wisconsin Sports Radio Network, a statewide platform that unites local shows and stations to serve sports fans across Wisconsin. Milwaukee's WSSP-FM (105.7 The Fan) is the flagship, anchoring a lineup that debuted last month. Initial affiliates include Midwest Communications' WNFL More

KOSI 101.1 to Launch 24th Annual All-Christmas Format
KOSI-FM/Denver
KOSI-FM/Denver
Bonneville's KOSI 101.1 Denver will once again ring in the holiday season with its signature all-Christmas music programming, marking the 24th year of the station's festive tradition. The switch to nonstop holiday music begins Thursday, November 13 at 5pm, following a live broadcast from 4-6pm at the Moxy More
Advertisement

Audacy Launches ''unPAUSED'' Podcast on October 21
unPAUSED
unPAUSED
Audacy has announced the debut of unPAUSED, a new weekly podcast series hosted by Dr. Mary Claire Haver, MD, FACOG, MSCP -- a board-certified OB-GYN, Certified Menopause Practitioner, and bestselling author. The show will feature candid, evidence-based conversations about women's health, identity, and More

Cumulus Sues Nielsen Over Alleged Ratings Monopoly
Cumulus Media and Nielsen
Cumulus Media and Nielsen
Cumulus Media has filed a federal antitrust lawsuit against The Nielsen Company, accusing the ratings giant of abusing its market dominance to force broadcasters into buying unwanted data and suppressing competition in the radio audience measurement industry. The complaint, filed October 16 in the U.S. More

MRC Revokes Nielsen Accreditation in Seven Markets
Media Rating Council (MRC)
Media Rating Council (MRC)
The Media Rating Council (MRC) has revoked accreditation for Nielsen Audio's diary ratings service in seven additional markets, part of its most recent round of audit decisions covering July through September 2025. According to the MRC's October 16 report, accreditation was withdrawn for the following More

Return to Menu

Advertisement

Subscribe to our Newsletter
Radio news and headlines delivered right to your e-mail box -- and it's free.

Advertisement

Advertisement